Esteban J. Parra
Esteban J. Parra, Ph.D. (Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 1993)
Associate Professor, UTM Campus
(905) 828-3889 (Main)
(416) 946-0652
Office: SB 2002 (Main) and AP 242
Website: http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/~parraest/profile/eparra.htm
Field: Biological anthropology, molecular anthropology, human genetics, biomedical science; Americas
Research
Dr. Parra is a molecular anthropologist interested in the application of genetic markers to answer questions related to the evolution of human populations and to identify the genetic risk factors involved in complex diseases. He is also interested in understanding how humans have adapted to different environments. His work in this area includes research on skin pigmentation, a trait showing extensive geographic variation in humans, and adaptation to high altitude in the Andean region. He has used different types of genetic markers as the basic tools for his research: plasma proteins, red cell enzymes, microsatellites, Insertion/Deletion polymorphisms (Indels), Alu insertions, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Although he has worked on a wide range of topics, for more than a decade a major focus of his research has been the study of admixture, the process of mixing of human populations. He has investigated extensively the admixture process that took place in the Americas since the XVth century. For more information on Dr. Parra's research projects, please visit http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/~parraest/profile/projects.htm
Recent Publications
2008 Bigham A. Kiyamu M, Leon-Velarde F, Parra EJ, Rivera M, Shriver MD Brutsaert TD. "Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Genotype and Arterial Oxygen Saturation at High Altitude in Peruvian Quechua. High Altitute Medicine and Biology 9 (2): 167-178 (PDF file).
2007 Parra EJ. "Human pigmentation variation: Evolution, genetic basis, and implications for public health." Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 19:593-596 (PDF file).
2007 Vargas M, Vargas E, Julian CG, Armaza JF, Rodriguez A, Tellez W, Niermeyer S, Wilson M, Parra EJ, Shriver M, Moore LG. "Determinants of blood oxygenation during pregnancy in Andean and European residents of high altitude." Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 19:593-596 (PDF file).
2007 Cameron EA, Martinez-Marignac VL, Chan A, Valladares A, Simmonds LV, Wacher N, Kumate J, McKeigue P, Shriver MD, Kittles R, Cruz M, Parra EJ. "MGEA5-14 polmorphism and type 2 diabetes in Mexico City." Am. J. Hum. Biol. 19:593-596 (PDF file).
2007 Mao X, Bigham AW, Mei R, Gutierrez G, Weiss KM, Brutsaert TD, Leon-Velarde F, Moore LG, Vargas E, McKeigue PM, Shriver MD, Parra EJ. "A genome-wide admixture mapping panel for Hispanic/Latino populations." Am. J. Hum. Genet. 80:1171-1178 (PDF File).
2007 Norton HL, Kittles RA, Parra E, McKeigue P, Mao X, Cheng K, Canfield VA, Bradley DG, McEvoy B, Shriver MD. "Genetic evidence for the convergent evolution of light skin in Europeans and East Asians." Mol. Biol. Evol. 24:710-722 (PDF File).
2007 Parra EJ, Cameron E, Simmonds L, Valladares A, McKeigue P, Shriver M, Wacher N, Kumate J, Kittles R, Cruz M. "Association of TCF7L2 polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes in Mexico City." Clin. Genet. 71:359-366 (PDF File).
2007 Martinez-Marignac VL, Valladares A, Cameron E, Chan A, Perera A, Globus-Goldberg R, Wacher N, Kumate J, McKeigue P, O’Donnell D, Shriver MD, Cruz M, Parra EJ. "Admixture in Mexico City: implications for admixture mapping of type 2 diabetes genetic risk factors." Hum. Genet. 120:807-819 (PDF File).
