It’s extremely rare that companies make their scientists available for customer-facing presentations – anyplace – ever.

We have an extremely rare opportunity. Both Dr. Paul Maier and Dr. Miguel Vilar, MitoTeam members, are generously presenting on Saturday, September 13, at the DNA Academy held at the East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference (ECGGC). The Academy takes a deep dive focused on genetic genealogy education.

Dr. Paul Maier, Senior Population Geneticist at FamilyTreeDNA, who I often refer to as the “father of Mitotree”, is presenting in the evening at DNA Academy, and if you can only see one presentation about mitochondrial DNA – this is the one. It’s impossible to hear Paul speak and not learn several things!

This isn’t just an invitation – but an invitation covered in chocolate and with an attached lottery ticket wrapped in gift wrap with a huge bow to entice you. I really, REALLY encourage you to attend! There’s still time to sign up for the virtual conference that streams live from September 12-14, here. Session recordings are also available after.

I just saw Paul’s presentation, and let me tell you, it’s the best mitochondrial DNA presentation I’ve ever seen. He knocked it clean out of the ballpark!

Paul’s a genealogist, just like us. That’s his “family tree wall” behind him.

Not only does Paul educate about mitochondrial DNA writ large, but about how mitochondrial DNA works for genealogy and most importantly, how he, along with the rest of the team, went about creating the new Mitotree to make genealogy even easier.

There’s a lot of Secret Sauce in the mix – and Paul explains a great deal about this.

So, if you’re wondering how the tree was created, what ingredients go into the pot, what doesn’t, and why – this presentation is absolutely for you! And no, it’s not “too sciency.” It’s understandable for everyone – which is one of Paul’s gifts.

Here are a few teasers:

• Why do humans have mitochondrial DNA? No, it’s not for genealogy, no matter what we think.
• Did you know mitochondrial DNA has STRs? Say what???
• Do you think that mitochondrial DNA mutates very slowly? Nope – Paul will explain!
• Do you know the relative size of mitochondria as compared to Y-DNA?
• How about the effective mutation rate – considering the mutation rates of both?
• How many new sequences will be included in the newest version of Mitotree to be released soon?
• What is a “secondary status” mutation, and how does that affect the tree?
• Why are some mutations excluded from the tree?
• …but not excluded from matching or haplotype clusters? What are haplotype clusters anyway, and why do we have them?
• Find out how Paul uses mitochondrial DNA and target testing!
• What are the “GREAT EIGHT”?
• How does Globetrekker calculate migration paths, and what does it have to do with toads?
• What’s on the horizon? I guarantee, you won’t see this anyplace else! If you have a sharp eye – you’ll even pick up a sneak peek.

Disclosure – I haven’t seen Miguel’s presentation, so Paul may well have some competition, as Miguel’s work is always spectacular.

My primary presentation, “The New Mitotree: What It Is, How We Did It, & What It Means To You”, takes place earlier in the day, while the DNA Academy takes place on September 13, from 6-9 EST, after dinner. I’ll have something short to offer during the Academy focusing primarily on genealogy success stories, but Paul’s presentation is an absolute “must see.”

We will be taking questions too!

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best of the best. Thanks to Mags Gaulden who will be moderating the Academy, the fine folks at the ECGGC, Paul, Miguel and the rest of the Mitotree team for making this a reality!

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Genealogy Products and Services

• MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
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• DNA for Native American Genealogy – by Roberta Estes, for those ordering the e-book from anyplace, or paperback within the United States
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Genealogy Books

• Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books
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Genealogy Research

• Legacy Tree Genealogists – Professional genealogy research