Shapiro is a pioneer and global leader in ancient DNA research. As a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC), director of the UCSC Paleogenomics Lab, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, Shapiro's groundbreaking work has redefined our understanding of evolutionary biology.

A Rhodes Scholar and MacArthur "genius," Shapiro collects the remains of ice-age giants, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats, during her extensive travels through the Arctic. By extracting and analyzing ancient DNA, she reveals how changing climates and human activity have shaped our modern biodiversity.

Shapiro's research has been published in top scientific journals, including Science and Nature, and she is a regular presence on the BBC, National Geographic, and Discovery. Her first book, How to Clone a Mammoth, has won multiple awards, including the 2016 AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books.

This captivating presentation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the world's leading experts in paleogenomics about a scientific frontier where the future may look a lot like the past.

About the R. Douglas Zeigler Innovative Research Lecture

The R. Douglas Ziegler Innovative Research Lecture was endowed by Peter and Joan Ziegler in honor of Peter’s father, Doug, a longtime supporter of Versiti and a former Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin board member for many years. The Zieglers are recognized innovators in business and believe that innovation is one of the hallmarks of a successful organization. The yearly Ziegler Innovation Lecture was created to promote further innovation at Versiti by sponsoring speakers to share their perspectives on research and clinical care innovation.

Sign up for more information about the R. Douglas Zeigler Lecture featuring Dr. Beth Shapiro, coming November 13, 2025.