I study the genomes of past organisms by directly analysing the DNA (“ancient DNA”) from their preserved remains, often from archaeological or geological contexts. Remains like subfossilised bones and teeth, or environmental substrates like buried sediments, can often be a genetic palimpsest: a mixture of ancient DNA from many different microbes, plants and animals. I use this data and approaches from population genetics and metagenomics to understand how ecosystems change through time, with a particular interest in past zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animals to humans), like plague.
I currently lecture on topics related to ancient DNA and biomolecular archaeology at the School of Archaeology and in Human Sciences (Michaelmas 2025, Hilary 2026).
Past teaching experience at Cambridge and University College London can be found detailed in a CV.
Professor Amber Riaz
Associate Professor of Philosophy, LUMS
BSc (Hons) LUMS; MA Sussex; MPhil Glasgow; BPhil DPhil Oxon
Visiting Fellow, Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity Terms 2025-2026
Bachelors in Physics, University of Chicago; JD, Georgetown University
Visiting Fellow, Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity Terms 2025-2026
Chichele Professorship of Medieval History
The College is pleased to announce that Professor Alice Rio of Kings College London has been appointed to the Chichele Professorship of Medieval History at Oxford from 1 October 2025, when Professor Rio will become a Fellows of All Souls College.
13th June 2025
Dmitri Levitin wins 2025 Dan David Prize
Congratulations to Dmitri Levitin, Fellow of All Souls College, for winning a 2025 Dan David Prize. A historian of premodern knowledge, Dmitri has worked on the histories of the sciences, the humanities, and on their interaction.
10th June 2025
Senior Research Fellowships
Applications may now be made for Senior Research Fellowships, one in Modern Languages and one in Philosophy, tenable from October 2026. See here for the further particulars, frequently asked questions, and the online application form.
Closing date for applications: Friday 19 September 2025, 12 noon (UK time)
2nd June 2025
Examination Fellowship 2025
Applications may now be made to sit the examinations to be held on 24-25 September 2025. The Fellowships by Examination will be tenable from November 2025. Further information can be found here.
Closing date: Monday, 11 August 2025, 4pm (UK time).
30th May 2025
Visiting Fellowships 2026-27
Applications may now be made for Visiting Fellowships at All Souls College tenable for one or more terms during the academic year October 2026 to June 2027. Further information may be found here.
Closing date: Monday 1 September 2025, 4pm (UK time).
