ABOUT US

research profile

For over 15 years, my research has explored primate genomes to better understand human evolution, genetic diversity, and disease. As our closest relatives, primates offer a unique window into the biology that shapes us.

key contributions

NATURE 2013

First global study of great ape genomic diversity

SCIENCE 2016

Discovery of introgression between chimpanzees and bonobos

NATURE 2019

Recovery of the oldest ape DNA

SCIENCE 2023

Primate Genomes (Science)

CELL GENOMICS 2022

Pioneering non-invasive nuclear DNA recovery

leadership & mentorship

Director, institut of Evolutionary Biology (2016-2020)

Advisor to ERC, NIH, and biotech firms (Flomics, Spain and Colossal, USA)

Co-founder, Cryozoo (Barcelona Zoo biobank)

RECOGNITION

Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences (Spain)

Premi Ciutat de Barcelona (2024)

Medalla Ramon y Cajal 2025 (Royal Academy of Science).

“My journey—from zoology to molecular biomedicine—has always been driven by collaboration, curiosity, and the belief that primate research can unlock the deepest questions about our own biology.”

Tomàs Marquès

External Consultant (Advisor)

Dr. Mimi Arandjelovic serves as an External Consultant (Advisor) to the project. She is Co-Director of the Pan-African Programme and a member of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), Section on Great Apes, including the Chimpanzee Cultures Working Group.

In addition, she is Co-Chair of the Western Chimpanzee Action Plan Genetics Working Group (WCAP-GWG). With extensive expertise in the field of biodiversity conservation and primate research, Dr. Arandjelovic brings long-standing experience and leadership to the project and will serve as an external consultant.