Versiti - Ancient DNA Expert Dr. Beth Shapiro Explores De-Extinction Science at VBRI Lecture

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Ancient DNA Expert Dr. Beth Shapiro Explores De-Extinction Science at VBRI Lecture

Milwaukee — October 07, 2025

Versiti Blood Research Institute invites the public to an evening with world-renowned evolutionary biologist Dr. Beth Shapiro, who will explore the science and debate surrounding genetic engineering and de-extinction.

Shapiro leads global research in ancient DNA as a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, director of the UCSC Paleogenomics Lab, chief scientific officer at Colossal Biosciences and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Her work has reshaped understanding of evolution, biodiversity and how climate change and human activity impact modern species.

A Rhodes Scholar and MacArthur Fellow, Shapiro travels extensively through Arctic regions, collecting remains of ice age giants — including mammoths, saber-toothed cats and ancient camels. She extracts and analyzes ancient DNA to reveal how the past shapes present understanding of genetic engineering and conservation science.

Scientists have published her research in leading journals including Science and Nature. She appears regularly on BBC, National Geographic and Discovery. Shapiro also wrote the award-winning "How to Clone a Mammoth," which won the 2016 AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books.

The lecture offers a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's leading paleogenomics experts and explore a scientific frontier where the future may look a lot like the past.

About the R. Douglas Ziegler Innovative Research Lecture

The Peter D. and Joan R. Ziegler Family endowed the R. Douglas Ziegler Innovative Research Lecture in honor of Peter's father, Doug, a longtime Versiti supporter and former Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin board member. The Zieglers are recognized innovators in business who believe innovation defines successful organizations. The annual lecture promotes innovation at Versiti by bringing distinguished speakers to share perspectives on research and clinical care innovation.

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