Carter Clinton

Bio

Dr. Carter Clinton, Genetic Anthropologist and Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University.

As an Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University and a National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Carter Clinton offers a unique and invaluable perspective to the Global One Health Academy (GOHA). Holding a Ph.D. from Howard University and possessing postdoctoral experience in Anthropology and Biology from Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Clinton has developed a multidisciplinary research approach. This approach not only aligns with GOHA’s mission to emphasize health as a public good but also addresses cross-cutting issues such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and health disparities in underrepresented populations through a preventative, population-based focus.

Dr. Clinton’s research began with a focus on the 17th and 18th-century New York African Burial Ground population. Employing soil chemistry and human microbiome reconstruction, his work elucidates the living conditions, health, and potential causes of death of this enslaved African community in present-day Manhattan. Conducted respectfully and non-destructively from burial soil, this research has served as a proof of concept for studying human aDNA, microbial DNA, and animal-associated aDNA in other burial sites nationwide. The aim is to uncover identity and ancestry, connect these historical populations to their living descendants, and gain insights into historical infectious and zoonotic diseases, as well as overall quality of life.

In his extended work with living African American descendant communities, Dr. Clinton explores African diversity and identifies ancestry-derived disease phenotypes. This component of the research contributes significantly to the field of global health, particularly among underserved populations, by addressing health disparities and enhancing understanding of disease susceptibilities.

At NC State, Dr. Clinton is pioneering a research program that provides a non-invasive alternative for studying past human populations through burial soil analysis. This method, significant amid ethical debates regarding the use of human remains, aligns with GOHA’s emphasis on respecting health as a public good and maintaining existing systems and structures.

Beyond his lab work, Dr. Clinton is deeply committed to empowering African American communities. He focuses on training culturally competent researchers and disseminating knowledge in various accessible formats, extending his impact in the field of global health and community engagement.