Martha Lyke, Ph.D.

Martha Lyke, Ph.D., is a population geneticist researching the genetics of the nonhuman primate colonies housed at the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC).

Nonhuman primates are closely related to humans and are therefore valuable as models of human disease and other health outcomes. Dr. Lyke is working to develop best practices to utilize genomic data to inform breeding strategies of these animal populations. Maintaining genetic diversity within the nonhuman primate colonies is crucial to the vitality of the populations and their viability as translational models of human health. Dr. Lyke earned her PhD in biological anthropology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and joined SNPRC in 2021.