Kirstin Sterner

Kirstin Sterner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Oregon, affiliated with the Institute of Ecology and Evolution. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from New York University (2009) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine (2009–2011). Her research focuses on the genetic basis of primate adaptations, integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular biology to study traits like immune responses to SIV, human brain evolution, and aging mechanisms. She co-directs the Sterner Lab, located in Pacific Hall, and leads the Molecular Anthropology Group.

Research interests include primate immune tolerance, epigenetic aging, skeletal muscle evolution related to bipedalism, and human brain development. Her work has been funded by the NIH, NSF, and other organizations. She advises multiple graduate students and teaches courses such as Molecular Anthropology and Bioanthropology Methods. Key collaborations include work with Nelson Ting (UO) on primate immunity and Noah Snyder-Mackler (UW) on aging biomarkers. The lab actively engages in outreach to promote diversity in STEM and science communication.