Contact Information
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department of Anthropology
109 Davenport Hall
607 S. Mathews Ave | M/C 148
Urbana, IL 61801
Biography
Prince Sedem Semanshia is a doctoral student in Biological Anthropology, focusing on ancestry, population genetics, and the genomic histories of African and African-descended communities. He studies how genetic data can reveal patterns of relatedness and historical population dynamics, with a particular interest in how these insights inform understandings of identity and heritage. As he develops his research skills, he aims to contribute to ethical, collaborative, and community-engaged projects that connect molecular evidence with human history. His interdisciplinary background positions him to bridge genetics and anthropology to illuminate both deep and recent population histories.
Research Interests
- Population genetics and genetic genealogy inference in African and Ghanaian populations
- Identity development among descendants of families separated during mass human trafficking from Ghana
- Application of genomics and biomedical science to public health research
- Health outcomes strategy informed by ancestry and population history
Education
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Master of Philosophy Degree in Infection and Immunity
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Science