Lisa Matisoo-Smith

Lisa Matisoo-Smith
Lisa Matisoo-Smith in 2011
Born	1963 (age 61–62)
Alma mater	University of Auckland
Scientific career
Fields	molecular anthropology
Institutions	University of Otago
Thesis	No hea te kiore : MtDNA variation in Rattus exulans : a model for human colonisation and contact in prehistoric Polynesia  (1996)

Lisa Matisoo-Smith (born 1963) is a molecular anthropologist and Professor at the University of Otago.[1] As at 2018, she is Head of the Department of Anatomy.

Biography

Born in Hawai‘i in 1963, Matisoo-Smith also lived in Japan and California, following her father's naval postings.[2]

She completed her doctoral thesis No hea te kiore : MtDNA variation in Rattus exulans : a model for human colonisation and contact in prehistoric Polynesia at University of Auckland in 1996.[3]

Matisoo-Smith's research focuses on using DNA to map human migration, especially in the Pacific.[4] She is a principal investigator on National Geographic's Genographic project.[5] As part of that project, she is the lead researcher for From Africa to Aotearoa, which is looking specifically at human migration to New Zealand.[6][7]

She is a Fellow of The Royal Society of New Zealand.[8] In 2017, Matisoo-Smith was selected as one of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's "150 women in 150 words", celebrating the contributions of women to knowledge in New Zealand.[9]

In 2018, she was awarded the society's Mason Durie Medal for social science, recognising her research into Polynesian migration across the Pacific.[10] In 2022 she was appointed a distinguished professor at the University of Otago.[11]

References

1. "Professor Lisa Matisoo-Smith". www.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
2. "Lisa Matisoo-Smith: From Africa to Aotearoa". E-Tangata – A Māori and Pasifika Sunday magazine. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
3. Matisoo-Smith, Lisa (1996). No hea te kiore : MtDNA variation in Rattus exulans : a model for human colonisation and contact in prehistoric Polynesia (Doctoral thesis). ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland. hdl:2292/597.
4. "A family of small differences". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
5. Room, National Geographic Press (27 August 2014). "National Geographic's Genographic Project Unveils Ancient Origins of New Zealanders". National Geographic Partners Press Room. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
6. "From Africa to Aotearoa". www.africatoaotearoa.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
7. "Lisa Matisoo-Smith: Africa to Aotearoa". Radio New Zealand. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
8. "Royal Society Te Apārangi – 2013 New Fellows". royalsociety.org.nz. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
9. "Lisa Matisoo-Smith". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
10. "Using DNA to study human migrations a winner". Radio New Zealand. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
11. Lewis, John (2 November 2022). "Five professors named 'distinguished chairs'". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Lisa Matisoo-Smith on Twitter