Lisette Kootker

Lisette Kootker is an Assistant Professor in Earth Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in isotope geochemistry and its applications in archaeology and forensic science. She leads research on human mobility, forensic biological profiling, and isotopic analysis of human and animal remains. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable communities and scientific collaboration.

Research interests include strontium, oxygen, and carbon isotope analysis in teeth and bones to trace migration patterns, dietary habits, and provenance. Key projects involve the Mass Grave Project, the UNDER Group (Pan-European taphonomic infrastructure), and enhancing Netherlands-wide isotope reference databases. She is also involved in forensic applications, such as analyzing burnt skeletal remains and formula milk isotopic signatures.

Notable achievements include the NVFA Inceptive Prize 2025 and the WA van Es-Prijs 2018. She collaborates internationally on archaeological and forensic initiatives, including decomposition studies and multidisciplinary fieldwork. Her research integrates bioarchaeology, geoscience, and forensic methodologies to address questions of human-environment interaction and historical mobility.

Grants include funding for projects on ancient lead intake and ethical sampling of archaeological teeth. She teaches courses like 'Advanced Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology' and actively participates in public engagement through media and conferences. Her lab, IsoArcH, promotes open data practices in bioarchaeological research.