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Beth Shapiro

Beth Shapiro is an evolutionary and paleogeneticist renowned for her pioneering in , focusing on the of extinct such as woolly mammoths and , and her leadership in efforts to revive lost . She specializes in reconstructing population histories and evolutionary processes through molecular and computational , particularly examining how environmental changes and human activities contributed to megafaunal extinctions during the . Shapiro earned her B.S. and M.S. in from the in 1999 and her D.Phil. in from the in 2003, where she was a Rhodes Scholar and later served as a Wellcome Trust and Research Fellow, as well as Director of the Henry Wellcome Ancient Biomolecules Centre. Her early career included an assistant at starting in 2007, followed by her move to the (UCSC) in 2012, where she became a in the of and , associate director of the Institute, and co-director of the Paleogenomics Lab. In March 2024, she took a three-year sabbatical from UCSC to serve as Chief Science Officer at , a company advancing and conservation projects. Her research has significantly advanced understanding of ancient ecosystems, including demonstrating a sharp decline in North American bison populations around 40,000 years ago—predating significant human impact—and exploring the survival limits of DNA in fossils to inform modern conservation strategies for endangered species like polar bears. Shapiro's work extends to ancient pathogens, the evolution of domestic animals, and the potential of genetic engineering to restore extinct species, emphasizing ecological proxies over exact clones to address biodiversity loss. Under her leadership at Colossal, the company announced in April 2025 the birth of genetically engineered dire wolf proxies, marking a breakthrough in de-extinction technology. She has authored influential books, including How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction (2015) and Life as We Made It: How 40,000 Years of Domestication Has Reshaped the World (2021), which communicate complex scientific concepts to broad audiences. Shapiro's contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, such as the Fellowship in 2009 at age 33, a Packard Fellowship and Searle Scholarship in 2010, selection as a Emerging Explorer in 2010, and an Investigator position at the from 2018 to 2024. In 2023, she was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and in 2025, she joined the , recognizing her distinguished impact on and . She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the , underscoring her role as a leading science communicator and advocate for applying paleogenomics to contemporary environmental challenges.

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Beth Shapiro was born on January 14, 1976, in . She grew up in , where her early experiences fostered a strong sense of and determination. Her mother, described as bubbly, energetic, and driven, played a pivotal role in shaping her confidence and resilience, qualities that would later support her scientific pursuits. During her teenage years, Shapiro developed an initial passion for communication and storytelling, aspiring to become a television . In tenth grade, she secured a position as a at a local TV station and, impressing with her skills, advanced to become the morning anchor, outperforming even college graduates for the role. This hands-on involvement in media highlighted her early talent for engaging audiences and laid the groundwork for her eventual transition toward scientific inquiry.

Academic training

Beth Shapiro completed her undergraduate and master's degrees in ecology at the , earning both a B.S. and M.S. in 1999 after graduating summa cum laude. She pursued her doctoral research at the , where she obtained a D.Phil. in in 2003 under the supervision of . Her dissertation focused on extracting and analyzing from permafrost-preserved samples, with a particular emphasis on populations to explore evolutionary histories and preservation challenges in paleogenomics. This work advanced early methods for recovering genetic material from subfossil remains in Arctic environments. Following her , Shapiro held a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Biology at from 2003 to 2005. She then returned to as a Research Fellow from 2005 to 2007. There, at Penn State, she refined computational approaches to genetic phylogenetics, developing tools to model evolutionary relationships from fragmented sequences and integrating them with morphological data. This training solidified her expertise at the intersection of and bioinformatics, preparing her for subsequent research in ancient .

Professional career

Academic positions

Beth Shapiro began her independent academic career following postdoctoral research at the , where she served as a from 2004 to 2006 and a from 2006 to 2007. She joined Pennsylvania State University in 2007 as the Shaffer Career Development Assistant Professor of , a position she held until 2011, during which she established a research lab dedicated to ancient . In 2011, she was promoted to Shaffer at Penn State, serving in that role until 2012. In 2012, Shapiro moved to the (UCSC), where she was appointed in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Genomics Institute, advancing to Full in 2016. In March 2024, she commenced a three-year from UCSC to serve as Chief Science Officer at . She has continued in this professorial role as of 2025. At UCSC, Shapiro has directed the Paleogenomics Lab since its inception in 2012, overseeing sequencing initiatives as a with co-principal investigator E. Green. She also serves as for at the UCSC Institute, a position she has held since 2015. From 2018 to 2024, Shapiro was selected as a (HHMI) Investigator, providing funding for her independent research in evolutionary genetics while maintaining her UCSC faculty appointment.

Industry and advisory roles

In 2024, Beth Shapiro was appointed Chief Science Officer at , a company focused on and conservation genomics, where she oversees scientific strategy for projects including the genetic engineering of woolly mammoths and the of dire wolves. This role leverages her academic expertise in to advance practical applications in species revival and preservation. Since 2010, Shapiro has served as a Emerging Explorer, contributing to the society's Explorer program by leading and advising on field expeditions to collect samples from sites in , , , and Canada's Territory. These efforts support broader initiatives in paleogenomics, enabling the analysis of extinct species' remains to inform contemporary conservation challenges. Shapiro's advisory work extends to international scientific collaborations, where her insights on genomic sequencing of extinct species guide efforts in projects.

Research focus

Ancient DNA analysis

Beth Shapiro has been instrumental in developing protocols for extracting and analyzing from challenging sources such as permafrost-preserved specimens and subfossil remains, where DNA yields are typically low due to and environmental exposure. Her work emphasizes rigorous controls, including dedicated clean-room facilities, pre-PCR methods, and the use of uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) treatment to remove modern cytosine artifacts while preserving ancient damage patterns. These protocols enable high-throughput sequencing of fragmented DNA, often comprising less than 1% endogenous material, by optimizing library preparation for single-stranded molecules and employing multiplexed barcoding to track samples. A pivotal study led by Shapiro analyzed from horse remains dating to approximately 14,000 years ago in , revealing evidence of late survival and rapid evolutionary adaptations in response to post-glacial environmental shifts. The research demonstrated that horses persisted in Beringian refugia longer than previously thought, with genetic data indicating adaptive changes in and coat coloration suited to colder climates, challenging earlier models of equid . Similarly, her contributions to the 2015 sequencing of two complete genomes highlighted a divergence from modern Asian elephants around 4-6 million years ago, with key genetic differences in and hair growth genes underscoring adaptations to Arctic conditions. These findings provided insights into how Pleistocene responded to climate variability, informing broader paleogenetic reconstructions. Shapiro integrates computational into ancient analysis, particularly Bayesian , to model extinction events and . For instance, in studying the , she applied Bayesian skyline plots to mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, estimating massive population expansions followed by bottlenecks that reduced and heightened vulnerability to pressures. This approach quantifies effective sizes over time, revealing how neutral and selected variants contributed to the ' rapid decline in the 19th century. Such methods have become standard for inferring demographic histories from sparse ancient datasets. Shapiro co-authored comprehensive guidelines for ancient DNA authentication in 2012, stressing the distinction between endogenous ancient sequences—characterized by short fragment lengths, elevated C-to-T substitutions at fragment ends, and lack of modern polymorphisms—and contaminants from handling or microbial sources. These standards advocate for multiple independent extractions, blank controls, and post-sequencing damage profiling to validate results, significantly reducing false positives in the field. Her efforts have elevated by establishing reproducible criteria that underpin reliable interpretations of evolutionary history. These techniques have also laid the groundwork for applications in research.

De-extinction efforts

Beth Shapiro has played a pivotal role in advancing technologies at , where she serves as chief science officer, leading efforts to revive extinct through . In the project, initiated in 2021 and progressing through 2024-2025, her team utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to edit the genomes of Asian elephants, incorporating mammoth-specific traits such as enhanced cold adaptation, thicker fur, and altered fat metabolism to create viable hybrid proxies. This approach aims to produce animals capable of thriving in environments, with key milestones including the development of "woolly mice" in early 2025, which demonstrated successful expression of mammoth hair phenotypes through multiplex gene editing. A significant achievement under Shapiro's leadership was the de-extinction milestone announced in April 2025, marking the first successful application of techniques to the species using (SCNT) with gene-edited gray wolf cells informed by , integrated into gray wolf surrogates. This project built on sequences to engineer pups exhibiting dire wolf characteristics like larger size and robust , with the first litter born in late 2024 and additional births confirmed by early 2025, representing a in applying to mammalian carnivores. However, the project has sparked debate among scientists over whether the resulting animals represent true or advanced proxies, with some critics arguing it overstates the revival of the extinct lineage. Shapiro advocates for an ethical framework centered on creating "proxy species" rather than exact genetic revivals, emphasizing that such hybrids can fulfill ecological roles of extinct animals without the impossibilities of perfect replication due to DNA degradation. She argues this strategy enhances biodiversity by restoring lost ecosystem functions, such as tundra regeneration through mammoth-elephant hybrids that could trample snow to expose permafrost and promote grass growth, thereby combating climate change. In her research, Shapiro has employed ecological modeling to assess the impacts of reintroducing proxy species into modern ecosystems, using simulations to predict interactions like modification and predator-prey dynamics. These models highlight the potential for revived herbivores, such as mammoth proxies, to contribute to through enhanced productivity and reduced from thaw. Her work underscores the need for careful integration to avoid unintended disruptions, prioritizing benefits over novelty.

Publications and outreach

Authored books

Beth Shapiro has authored several books that make complex topics in and accessible to general audiences, drawing on her expertise in research to explore humanity's role in shaping life on . Her first major book, How to Clone a : The of , published in 2015 by , delves into the scientific feasibility, ethical considerations, and potential implications of reviving extinct species such as the through and techniques. The book examines challenges like DNA degradation in fossils and the ecological consequences of reintroducing species, while advocating for as a tool for conservation rather than mere spectacle. It received acclaim as an award-winning work and has influenced ongoing debates in efforts, including projects by organizations like . In her 2021 book, Life as We Made It: How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation Refined—and Redefined—Nature, published by , Shapiro traces the history of intervention in , from early of and to modern , integrating insights from ancient to illustrate how these changes have altered . The narrative highlights examples like the of crops and the genetic legacies of archaic hominins in modern s, emphasizing responsible stewardship of future biotechnologies. Praised for its engaging style and forward-looking perspective, the book has been noted for broadening public understanding of anthropogenic impacts on . Shapiro has also contributed to edited volumes, including a chapter on in The Princeton Guide to Evolution (2013, ), where she outlines the field's methodologies and applications in reconstructing evolutionary histories, bridging with .

Selected scientific works

Beth Shapiro's seminal contributions to paleogenomics include her 2006 paper " to paleogenomics: large-scale sequencing of DNA," published in Science, which demonstrated the feasibility of high-throughput sequencing of fragmented from Pleistocene remains, overcoming challenges and enabling the reconstruction of extinct ' genomes for the first time. This work shifted paradigms in research by showing how from could reveal genomic insights into megafaunal , influencing subsequent studies on post-glacial . A high-impact study co-authored by Shapiro is "Complete genomes reveal signatures of demographic and genetic declines in the ," published in in 2015, which sequenced full nuclear genomes from multiple specimens spanning 700,000 years. The analysis identified key adaptive traits, such as those related to cold tolerance and fat metabolism, while documenting population bottlenecks that contributed to ; these findings have directly informed strategies by mapping genetic variants for potential editing in proxies. In more recent work, Shapiro co-authored "Dire wolves were the last of an ancient canid lineage," published in in 2021, which used from 50 dire wolf specimens to resolve their phylogenetic position as a distinct lineage diverging from gray wolves over 5 million years ago. The study highlighted severe genetic isolation and low diversity leading to their around 13,000 years ago, providing genomic evidence against hybridization with modern canids and assessing feasibility for revival through . Building on this, her involvement in 2025 de-extinction efforts at has extended these insights to practical applications. Shapiro's body of work has amassed over 38,500 citations as of November 2025, with an of 93, underscoring her profound influence on and . Her technical publications have informed popular books that translate these advances for broader audiences.

Honors and recognition

Major awards

Beth Shapiro has received several prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to and public engagement in science. In 2009, she was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the "Genius Grant," for her innovative work integrating with analysis. In 2010, Shapiro was named a Emerging Explorer, honored for her pioneering fieldwork in collecting and studying ancient biological samples from remote environments. More recently, in 2025, she was included in TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Health list, acknowledged for the potential medical applications of her research, such as identifying genes for disease resistance. These awards, along with fellowships that have supported her research, underscore her impact in bridging ancient with contemporary scientific challenges.

Fellowships and elections

Beth Shapiro has received numerous prestigious fellowships that have supported her research in and . Early in her career, she was awarded a in 1999, which funded her doctoral studies at the . Following her DPhil, she held a Research Fellowship from 2004 to 2006 and a University Research Fellowship from 2006 to 2007, both at , enabling her to establish her independent research program in paleogenomics. In 2009, Shapiro was selected as a MacArthur Fellow for her groundbreaking integration of and computational to study evolutionary influences on and . That same year, she also received the Searle Scholars Program award, which provided flexible funding for her early-career investigations into ancient biomolecules. Later fellowships further advanced her work on conservation genomics. In 2010, she was named a Fellow, supporting her studies on the of ice age fauna and plants. From 2018 to 2024, Shapiro served as a Investigator, directing a lab focused on using genomic tools to address challenges. These fellowships have collectively enabled Shapiro to pioneer methods for recovering and analyzing degraded from fossils, contributing to broader understandings of evolutionary processes. Shapiro has also been elected to several leading scientific societies, reflecting her impact on the field. In 2016, she became a member of the . In 2018, she was elected a Fellow of the , recognizing her contributions to and . In 2023, she was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for distinguished contributions to and . That same year, she joined the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as a member, honoring her interdisciplinary work at the intersection of and . Most recently, in 2025, Shapiro was elected to the , one of the highest honors for American scientists, recognizing her leadership in research and its applications to and .