He is a Molecular Anthropologist interested in the application of genetic markers in evolutionary and biomedical studies. One of the major topics of Dr. Parra’s research is the identification of genetic risk factors for diabetes, obesity and lipid traits. He has received funding for this research from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre. Dr. Parra has also been involved in a study aimed at evaluating vitamin D status in young adults ofdiverse ancestry in Ontario, a project that was funded by the Natural Sciences and Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Government of Ontario (EarlyResearcher Award).