Dr. Lakisha David

Assistant Professor

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Biography

LaKisha Tawanda David is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Illinois University. Her research integrates biological and sociocultural anthropology, focusing on the biological social aspects of genetic genealogy among individuals with recent ancestry in Africa. She explores family and ethnic identity development among African Americans, utilizing genetic genealogy to identify and interact with genetic relatives in Africa. Furthermore, she examines African perspectives on the involvement of genetic genealogy in connecting descendants to their ancestors taken from Africa during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Her work emphasizes African perspectives and those of the African diaspora, investigating the computational techniques used to infer genetic genealogy networks that extend over nine generations. This method provides a significant link, connecting Africans to members of the historic African diaspora and highlighting shared family and population histories. At the core of her research is a profound quest to unravel the genetic, historical, and emotional narratives interwoven through time within genomes, supporting the quest for identity and belonging.

Research Interests

Courses

Genetic Ancestry Similar & Rel (Genetic Ancestry, Similarity, Relatedness)

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.