Dr. Courtney Hofman is a distinguished scholar pioneering the integration of molecular anthropology and historical ecology to understand human-animal relationships across millennia. She currently serves as the President's Associates Presidential Professor in the Department of Anthropology within the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, where she leads innovative research bridging scientific and Indigenous knowledge systems. Her academic journey has positioned her at the forefront of conservation paleobiology, with a particular focus on North American furbearers and their complex histories with human societies. Dr. Hofman's leadership in interdisciplinary research has established her as a key figure in redefining how we understand historical ecological baselines and their implications for contemporary conservation challenges.
Dr. Hofman's groundbreaking work centers on analyzing ancient DNA from archaeological specimens of beavers, minks, and muskrats to reconstruct population histories and human management practices spanning centuries. Her $1.5 million National Science Foundation-funded four-year study utilizes extensive collections from the Smithsonian Institution's Natural History Museum and other repositories, combined with modern samples from wildlife managers, to create comprehensive genetic timelines of these ecologically vital species. This research has revealed critical insights into how Indigenous harvest practices evolved during the colonial fur trade era and how these changes continue to influence contemporary population structures and conservation needs. Her findings have fundamentally shifted our understanding of historical baselines for furbearer populations, demonstrating both the resilience and vulnerability of these species to anthropogenic pressures across different cultural contexts.
Through her leadership of the North American Fur Trade Working Group, Dr. Hofman has fostered unprecedented collaborations between archaeologists, anthropologists, wildlife managers, and Indigenous communities to translate historical insights into practical conservation strategies. Her research has directly informed innovative approaches to human-wildlife coexistence, such as non-lethal beaver management techniques that prioritize ecological benefits while addressing human infrastructure concerns. Dr. Hofman's commitment to integrating diverse knowledge systems has made her a respected bridge between scientific communities and tribal partners, ensuring that conservation efforts honor both ecological principles and cultural heritage. Currently expanding her work to address pressing questions about biodiversity resilience in the face of climate change, she continues to shape the emerging field of conservation paleobiology with her visionary approach to understanding the deep history of human-environment relationships.
