**Rebecca L. Cann**
**Definition**
Rebecca L. Cann is an American geneticist known for her pioneering research in human mitochondrial DNA and evolutionary biology.
**Article**
### Early Life and Education
Rebecca L. Cann earned her Ph.D. in genetics, focusing on molecular biology and human evolution. Her academic background laid the foundation for her influential work in genetics.
### Contributions to Genetics
Cann is best known for her research on mitochondrial DNA, which provided critical evidence supporting the „Mitochondrial Eve” hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that all modern humans share a common maternal ancestor who lived in Africa approximately 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. Her work significantly advanced the understanding of human evolutionary history and population genetics.
### Legacy
Rebecca L. Cann’s research has had a lasting impact on the fields of genetics and anthropology, shaping contemporary views on human origins and migration patterns.
**Meta Description**
Rebecca L. Cann is a geneticist recognized for her groundbreaking research on mitochondrial DNA and the „Mitochondrial Eve” hypothesis, which has influenced studies of human evolution.