World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Peter A. Underhill

Peter A. Underhill

D-Index & Metrics

Genetics

D-Index
87
Citations
50040
World Ranking
1187
National Ranking
569

Overview

Peter A. Underhill is affiliated with Stanford University in the United States. Their research spans multiple fields with a focus on social sciences and biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. The scientist's work specifically engages with genetics, sociology and political science, paleontology, and anthropology.

The research topics covered include forensic and genetic research, South African history and culture, Yersinia bacterium, plague, and ectoparasites research, archaeology and ancient environmental studies, sex work and related issues, and global maritime and colonial histories.

Recent publications highlight an emphasis on genetic history and sociopolitical implications of historical processes. These include:

  • Determination of the phylogenetic origins of the Árpád Dynasty based on Y chromosome sequencing of Béla the Third (2020, European Journal of Human Genetics)
  • Slave Trade and Colonial Expansion Resulted in Strong Sex-Biased Admixture in South Africa (2023, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory))
  • The Indian Ocean slave trade and colonial expansion resulted in strong sex-biased admixture in South Africa (2025, The American Journal of Human Genetics)

Frequent co-authors collaborating with Peter A. Underhill include:

  • Haiko Schurz
  • Austin W. Reynolds
  • Gillian Meeks
  • Simon Gravel
  • Justin W. Myrick

Publications are often found in venues such as the European Journal of Human Genetics, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), and The American Journal of Human Genetics, reflecting a focus on genetic and human biology research contexts.

Best Publications

  • A global reference for human genetic variation.

    Adam Auton;Gonçalo R. Abecasis;David M. Altshuler;Richard M. Durbin

  • Y chromosome sequence variation and the history of human populations

    Underhill Pa;Shen P;Lin Aa;Jin L

  • The genetic legacy of Paleolithic Homo sapiens sapiens in extant Europeans: a Y chromosome perspective.

    Ornella Semino;Ornella Semino;Giuseppe Passarino;Giuseppe Passarino;Peter J. Oefner;Alice A. Lin

  • New binary polymorphisms reshape and increase resolution of the human Y chromosomal haplogroup tree

    Tatiana M. Karafet;Fernando L. Mendez;Monica B. Meilerman;Peter A. Underhill

  • The phylogeography of Y chromosome binary haplotypes and the origins of modern human populations

    P. A. Underhill;G. Passarino;A. A. Lin;P. Shen

  • A global reference for human genetic variation

    Adam Auton;Gonçalo R. Abecasis;David M. Altshuler;Richard M. Durbin

  • Detection of Numerous Y Chromosome Biallelic Polymorphisms by Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

    Peter A. Underhill;Li Jin;Alice A. Lin;S. Qasim Mehdi

  • The Eurasian Heartland: A continental perspective on Y-chromosome diversity

    R S Wells;N Yuldasheva;R Ruzibakiev;P A Underhill

  • Y-Chromosome Evidence for a Northward Migration of Modern Humans into Eastern Asia during the Last Ice Age

    Bing Su;Junhua Xiao;Peter Underhill;Ranjan Deka

  • The role of selection in the evolution of human mitochondrial genomes.

    Toomas Kivisild;Peidong Shen;Dennis P. Wall;Bao Do

  • New insights into the Tyrolean Iceman's origin and phenotype as inferred by whole-genome sequencing

    Andreas Keller;Angela Graefen;Markus Ball;Mark Matzas

  • Use of Y Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA Population Structure in Tracing Human Migrations

    Peter A. Underhill;Toomas Kivisild

  • Polarity and temporality of high-resolution y-chromosome distributions in India identify both indigenous and exogenous expansions and reveal minor genetic influence of Central Asian pastoralists.

    Sanghamitra Sengupta;Lev A. Zhivotovsky;Roy King;S.Q. Mehdi

  • A pre-Columbian Y chromosome-specific transition and its implications for human evolutionary history.

    Peter A. Underhill;Li Jin;Rachel Zemans;Peter J. Oefner

  • Excavating Y-chromosome haplotype strata in Anatolia

    Cengiz Cinnioğlu;Cengiz Cinnioğlu;Roy King;Toomas Kivisild;Ersi Kalfoğlu

  • The effective mutation rate at Y chromosome short tandem repeats, with application to human population-divergence time.

    Lev A. Zhivotovsky;Peter A. Underhill;Cengiz Cinnioğlu;Manfred Kayser

  • Origin, diffusion, and differentiation of Y-chromosome haplogroups E and J: inferences on the neolithization of Europe and later migratory events in the Mediterranean area.

    Ornella Semino;Chiara Magri;Giorgia Benuzzi;Alice A. Lin

  • Hunter-gatherer genomic diversity suggests a southern African origin for modern humans

    Brenna M. Henn;Christopher R. Gignoux;Matthew Jobin;Julie M. Granka

  • A back migration from Asia to sub-Saharan Africa is supported by high-resolution analysis of human Y-chromosome haplotypes.

    Fulvio Cruciani;Piero Santolamazza;Peidong Shen;Vincent Macaulay

  • The Genetic Heritage of the Earliest Settlers Persists Both in Indian Tribal and Caste Populations

    T. Kivisild;T. Kivisild;S. Rootsi;M. Metspalu;S. Mastana

Frequent Co-Authors

Peter J. Oefner
Peter J. Oefner University of Regensburg
Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza
Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza Stanford University
Richard Villems
Richard Villems University of Tartu
Giuseppe Passarino
Giuseppe Passarino University of Calabria
Li Jin
Li Jin Fudan University
Rene J. Herrera
Rene J. Herrera Colorado College
Ornella Semino
Ornella Semino University of Pavia
Bing Su
Bing Su Chinese Academy of Sciences
Carlos Bustamante
Carlos Bustamante Stanford University

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Genetics opens doors to diverse healthcare and research careers. Many professionals combine a genetics background with clinical roles or further studies—a trend accelerated by flexible online degree programs in the USA.

For those aiming to move into nursing, the rn to bsn no clinical hours programs let registered nurses advance their qualifications without on-site clinical requirements, saving time and simplifying scheduling. Ambitious students can also look at accelerated dnp programs which offer a swift path to the highest level of nursing practice.

Looking for an entry point into healthcare to complement your genetics training? A medical assistant course can be completed in just weeks, providing hands-on experience and a valuable stepping stone to future roles.

Affordability and time commitment are common concerns. Many choose the cheapest dnp programs to ensure their advanced studies remain accessible. Whatever your path, online programs create new opportunities to advance your genetics knowledge and potential healthcare career.

Best Scientists Citing Peter A. Underhill

Trending Scientists