Lorena Madrigal

Lorena Madrigal is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Kansas, an M.A. from the University of Cincinnati, and a B.S. from the University of Utah. She has held significant leadership positions including President of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) from 2011–2013 and a biological seat on the executive board of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) from 2014–2017.

Research Focus: Dr. Madrigal specializes in human microevolution using demographic and population genetics approaches, with fieldwork concentrated in Costa Rica. Her research challenges established theories like the grandmother hypothesis and examines genetic evolution in Afro-Caribbean and East Indian diasporic communities. Key interests include:

• Biological anthropology and human longevity
• Gene flow and genetic drift in isolated populations
• Cardiovascular health in developing economies
• Maternal genealogy reconstruction

Publication Trends: Her recent articles (2011–2021) demonstrate strong emphasis on mitochondrial genetics, longevity determinants, and diaspora health impacts. Over 60% focus on Costa Rican populations, employing methods from pedigree analysis to meta-analyses of physiological adaptations.

Honors:

• President, American Association of Physical Anthropologists (2011–2013)
• Executive Board (Biological Seat), American Anthropological Association (2014–2017)

Graduate Advising: Currently mentors five graduate students including Raymond Blair and Amanda Malerba. Teaching responsibilities span Biological Anthropology, Human Evolution, Anthropological Genetics, and Advanced Quantitative Methods.