Dr. Michel Shamoon-Pour, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor of Anthropology, Binghamton University (SUNY), United States
Academic Background & Position
- He earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Binghamton University in 2016.
- Currently, he is a Research Associate Professor in Molecular and Biomedical Anthropology at Binghamton University. He is involved in the First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program there.
Research Interests & Work
- Dr. Shamoon-Pour’s research is broadly in molecular anthropology, population genetics, and related applications. His main interests include:
- Studying the genetic structure and history of understudied populations in the Middle East and Pacific regions, including diaspora communities.
- Reconstructing matrilineal and patrilineal ancestries of pre-genocide Assyrian settlements.
- Using existing genetic databases (in part because fieldwork is sometimes limited due to conflict) to investigate ancestry and genetic interrelatedness among populations from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
- In addition, he works in ancient DNA (aDNA), collaborating on projects from archaeological sites in the US, Canada, Poland.
- Some biomedical angles: for example, investigating infectious disease vectors (tick-borne diseases), etc.
Teaching & Education Contribution
- Dr. Shamoon-Pour teaches courses in molecular anthropology and the anthropology of infectious diseases.
- He plays a role in research education for undergraduates, particularly through the First-year Research Immersion program at Binghamton University.
