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Last updated 8th June 2026
Biography
Martin studied genetics at the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester, moving to Oxford University and into archaeogenetic research in 1990. From there, he developed collaborative links with a small group of like-minded colleagues who spearheaded the use of network diagrams in the phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This enjoyable collaboration was to yield influential models for the settlement of both Europe and the Pacific, and for prehistoric dispersals in Africa. He subsequently moved to UCL, Huddersfield and then Leeds University, where he taught, amongst other topics, human evolution, molecular evolution and bioinformatics. He finally moved back to Huddersfield to take up a Research Chair in January 2012.
His research in the last decade has particularly sought to apply complete mtDNA genome variation to archaeogenetic questions, such as the route taken by modern humans dispersing out of Africa and the settlement of Southeast Asia and the Pacific – most recently returning his focus to the continuing controversy over the settlement of Europe.
He co-edited Mitochondrial DNA and the Evolution of Homo Sapiens (Springer-Verlag, 2006) with Hans-Jürgen Bandelt and Vincent Macaulay.
Research Expertise and Interests
- Genetics
- Archeogenetics
- Human Evolution
- Molecular Evolution
- Bioinformatics
- Applying complete mtDNA genome variation to archaeogenetic questions
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Projects
- 1 Finished
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ACROSS: Australasian Colonization Research: Origins of Seafaring to Sahul
Richards, M. (CoI) & Farr, R. H. (PI)
1/02/18 → 31/01/23
Project: Research
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Genetic ancestry and monogenic disease risk in the Scottish Traveller founder population
Shanmugam, A., Fletcher, B. S., Pala, M., Klaric, L., Kerr, S. M., Donaldson, S. W., Tzoneva, G., Shuldiner, A. R., Richards, M. B., McLaughlin, R. L., Cavalleri, G. L., Byrne, R. P., Gilbert, E. H. & Wilson, J. F., 1 Dec 2026, In: Nature Communications. 17, 1, 17 p., 5843.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Genetic and historical perspectives on the early medieval inhumations from the Menga dolmen, Antequera (Spain)
Silva, M., García Sanjuán, L., Fichera, A., Oteo-García, G., Foody, M. G. B., Fernández Rodríguez, L. E., Navarrete Pendón, V., Bennison, A. K., Pala, M., Soares, P., Reich, D., Edwards, C. J. & Richards, M. B., 1 Feb 2026, In: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 69, 12 p., 105559.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Lasting Lower Rhine–Meuse forager ancestry shaped Bell Beaker expansion
Olalde, I., Altena, E., Bourgeois, Q., Fokkens, H., Amkreutz, L., Baetsen, S., Deguilloux, M.-F., Fichera, A., Flas, D., Gandini, F., Kegler, J. F., Kootker, L. M., van der Leije, J., Leijnse, K., van der Linde, C., Kooijmans, L. L., Lauwerier, R., Miller, R., Molthof, H. & Noiret, P. & 27 others, , 23 Apr 2026, In: Nature. 652, 8111, p. 938-946 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Ancient genomes reveal cosmopolitan ancestry and maternal kinship patterns at post-Roman Worth Matravers, Dorset
Foody, M. G. B., Dulias, K., Justeau, P., Ditchfield, P. W., Ladle, L., Gretzinger, J., Schiffels, S., Reich, D., Kenyon, R., Sayer, D., Richards, M. B., Pala, M. & Edwards, C. J., 1 Oct 2025, In: Antiquity. 99, 407, p. 1356-1371 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Genomic evidence supports the "long chronology" for the peopling of Sahul
Gandini, F., Almeida, M., Foody, M. G. B., Nagle, N., Bergström, A., Olivieri, A., Rodrigues, S., Fichera, A., Oteo-Garcia, G., Torroni, A., Achilli, A., Pomat, W., Zainuddin, Z., Eng, K. K., Shoeib, T., Rito, T., Bulbeck, D., O'Connor, S., Bryk, J. & Pala, M. & 7 others, , 28 Nov 2025, In: Science advances. 11, 48, 17 p., eady9493.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access8 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Press/Media
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Ancient DNA Shatters the Simple Story of Europe’s Origins
Richards, M. B., Pala, M., Stewart, J., Reich, D. & Olalde, I.
23/05/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Migrants were a continuous feature of medieval Britain, archaeological study shows
Farr, H. & Richards, M.
19/05/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Humans Were in Australia 20,000 Years Earlier Than We Thought, And the Proof Is in Our DNA
Richards, M. & Farr, H.
11/04/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Humans reached Australia 60,000 years ago, new DNA study reveals
Farr, H. & Richards, M.
9/04/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Ancient DNA Reveals Medieval Secret Hidden Inside a 5,000-Year-Old Spanish Monument
Silva, M., García Sanjuán, L., Fichera, A., Oteo-Garcia, G., Foody, M. G. B., Fernández Rodríguez, L. E., Navarrete Pendón, V., Bennison, A. K., Pala, M., Soares, P., Reich, D., Edwards, C. J. & Richards, M. B.
25/03/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research