This is the first of five videos in a series on human skin color. The subsequent videos will be released in the coming weeks.

The evolution of human skin colors is a complex interaction between the skin's response to UV solar radiation and molecular processes. In this video series, we explore the genetic, molecular, and selective basis for differences in human skin color. We also take a brief exploration into how UV radiation causes skin cancer, and the role that skin coloration plays in mediating the impact of that radiation.

For more information on the biology of human skin color, visit www.evo-ed.org.

Support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education program under Award No. DUE2020221