David Lambert

Professor David Lambert is a faculty member at Griffith University's School of Environment and Science, specializing in Bioscience. He holds the position of Professor and leads the Ancient DNA and Genomics group within the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, genomics, and ancient DNA, with a particular emphasis on human migration, population genetics, and conservation genetics. Lambert has supervised numerous doctoral students, including principal supervision roles for studies on Indigenous Australian genomics and ancient Egyptian ibis mummies.

Lambert has secured significant funding from organizations like the Australian Research Council (ARC) and international collaborations, including projects on genomic libraries for environmental samples and the origins of Australia's non-Pama-Nyungan speaking people. His work bridges archaeology, genetics, and anthropology, with notable contributions to repatriation efforts using genomic data and studies on prehistoric human migration patterns in Sahul and Southeast Asia.

His research outputs span over 195 publications, including high-impact studies on Aboriginal Australian genomic history, ancient Egyptian sacred ibis evolution, and the genetic basis of flightlessness in birds. Lambert's interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, anthropology, and environmental science, addressing questions about biodiversity, human adaptation, and cultural practices through genetic analysis.

• Key Grants: Includes ARC-funded projects on genomic libraries, ancient DNA laboratory upgrades, and collaborations with institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
• Labs/Teams: Leads Griffith University's Ancient DNA and Genomics lab and contributes to the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution.
• Future Works: Ongoing research on Sahul colonization paradigms, genomic repatriation, and climate change impacts on biodiversity.