Hi Reddit! I’m Sarah Tishkoff, a professor of genetics and biology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and School of Arts and Sciences. My lab studies human evolution, ancestry, genetic variation, and disease risk in populations around the world. We aim to answer fundamental questions about human origins, focusing on Africa’s role as the place where modern humans originated and thus the region with the most genetic diversity. We also look at complex diseases with a genetic influence, like heart disease and diabetes, and how historical evolutionary pressures may have kept these relatively common in modern populations. Next year, I’ll be joining the Board of Directors of the American Society of Human Genetics, which meets next week in Baltimore. If you’re interested in human genetics issues, check out the [meeting’s agenda](: http://www.ashg.org/2015meeting/asp/soe/webroot/soe.shtml ) and keep an eye out for the many interesting findings that will be announced. I will start answering questions at 1 pm Eastern (10 am Pacific, 6 pm UTC). Thanks Reddit, I’m wrapping up now because my kids are asking where mommy is! But I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to share my research interests with you and if I have a chance, I’ll check back later to answer more questions. Have a great weekend The views expressed in this AMA are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Pennsylvania or ASHG.