Evo-Devo and Climate Change: the double edge sword of novelty and extinction
Professor Ehab Abouheif (Zhejiang University)
This seminar is part of the Asia-Pacific Genetics Seminar Series.
Fast-Tracking Rare Disease: From Diagnosis to Custom Therapies
Professor Justin O'Sullivan (University of Auckland)
Genomic predictors of fitness in a threatened population.
Associate Professor Anna Santure (University of Auckland)
This seminar is part of the Asia-Pacific Genetics Seminar Series.
Sex-biased Genome Evolution
Dr Melissa Wilson (National Human Genome Research Institute, USA)
Genomics Aotearoa Update 2026
Professor Peter Dearden (University of Otago)
GA in Action: From Ward to Whenua - Unravelling the genomic success of New Zealand’s home-grown MRSA AK3 lineage
Dr Rhys White (PHF Science)
Biocontrol Strategies for Pests and Invasive Species
Dr Kimberly Dainty (University of Otago)
Ko wai ngā rākau rangatira pōhutukawa o Mauao? Building agile and informed kaitiaki biosecurity on the maunga.
Pohutukawa Project - Dr Heidi Dungey (Scion), Dr Darryl Herron (Scion), Kawana Warahi and Porina McLeod (Mauao Trust)
Toward a Photosynthetic Factory: Exploring Photosynthesis and Genome Stability in Cyanobacteria
Associate Professor Tina Summerfield (University of Otago)
Restoration of a Living Ancestor - Ngā Roimata ō Tōhe
Te Roroa Nga Riomata O Tohe Project - Taoho Putuawa (Te Roroa Group) and Dr Sarah Wells (Unitec)
Tactical Genetic Control Tools for Rats
Dr Björn Oback (Bioeconomy Science Institute), Dr Catherine Collins (University of Otago) and Professor Ocean Mercier (Victoria University of Wellington)
Te Rarawa Kauri Project - Professor Amanda Black (Lincoln University), Debbie Martin (Kauri Ora Iwi CoLab), Associate Professor Michael Knapp (University of Otago), Professor Peter Dearden (University of Otago), Jamie Brown (Te Rarawa), Takapari Murray (Te Rarawa), Aden Moses (Te Rarawa)
Genomic medicine at the forefront of precision medicine
Ngoni Faya
From PCR to Policy: Effective Use of Genetic Tools in Environmental, Conservation & Pandemic Management
Professor Mike Bunce
Revolutionizing Biodiversity Monitoring with Environmental DNA (eDNA)
Dr Shaun Wilkinson (Wilderlab)
Genomic insights from a failing insect biocontrol system
Dr Sarah Inwood (University of Otago)
Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy for Aotearoa New Zealand: Social, cultural and ethical issues
Dr Suzanne Manning (ESR)
Impactful science in action: collaborative genomic approaches to combating hospital outbreaks
Dr Rhys White (ESR)
For Humans, Plants, and Genomics: Communication is the Key
Dr Karla Araya-Castro (University of Otago)
Peering into the lives of the little bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis) and relatives through their genomes
Professor Scott V Edwards (Harvard University)
Defence and counter-defence strategies in the phage-bacterium arms race
Professor Peter Fineran (University of Otago)
Bacteria have evolved ‘immune systems’ as a result of their constant exposure to foreign mobile genetic elements, including bacteriophages and plasmids. Recently, there have been major advances in our understanding of these systems and the different strategies that phages have evolved to evade these immune mechanisms. This talk will present recent research into bacterial defence systems and phage counter-defences.
Telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assemblies: shining a light on repeat biology and chromosome dynamics
Professor Rachel O'Neill (University of Connecticut)
He Kākano – The Aotearoa Māori Variome Resource
Professor Stephen Robertson and Associate Professor Phil Wilcox (University of Otago)
Stephen Robertson is the Curekids Professor Paediatric Genetics at the University of Otago University. Phillip Wilcox (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Te Aitanga a Mahaki) is trained in molecular and quantitative genetics and has a background in both genomics and te ao Māori.
Dafni Anastasiadi is a scientist at Plant and Food Research Nelson. Her research interests focus on the role of epigenetics in eco-evolutionary processes using marine species as models. Her work has produced results with far-reaching implications in the epigenetics field, including the first epigenetic clock to accurately predict age in fish.
Ruatau: connecting Māori genomic scientists and communities
Dr Catherine Colins (University of Otago)
Catherine is a Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy at the University of Otago. Her research focuses on population genomics of animals whose distributions have been influenced by humans transporting them, and subsequent interactions between humans and these animals.
Developing genomic resources of the haku/warehenga (Yellowtail Kingfish, S.lalandi) to support Māori-led aquaculture
Carla Finn (Victoria University of Wellington)
The aquaculture industry of Aotearoa relies heavily on the farming of three species, which includes only one finfish species (the non-indigenous king salmon). To enhance food security and better support local communities, The Smart Māori Aquaculture initiative has identified haku/warehenga as a high-potential indigenous finfish for aquaculture. However, genetic information for wild haku populations surrounding Aotearoa is limited; this project will develop new genomic resources for this species to support the aquaculture initiative.