We are pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest are now open for the Genetics Otago Impact Cluster (GOIC) 2026 – Biotechnology/Advanced Technologies.

This new initiative has been established to support mid-career researchers to expand their networks, strengthen funding opportunities, and accelerate their research through targeted mentorship, workshops, and connections with internal and external experts. The 2026 cohort will focus on researchers working in biotechnology and advanced technology fields.

Successful applicants will participate in in-person workshops and receive support in areas such as:

• Building collaborations and partnerships
• Strengthening grant competitiveness
• Exploring commercialisation pathways
• Aligning research with emerging national science priorities
• Developing funding and activity-based skills

We welcome applications from Genetics Otago members who are between 3 and 15 years post-PhD and working in a biotechnology-driven research capacity.

Applications close: 5:00 pm, Monday 11 May
Submit applications to: go@otago.ac.nz

Download the full Expression of Interest document, including eligibility criteria and application requirements here.

We encourage eligible researchers to apply and would be grateful if you could share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested.

We are excited to announce the long-awaited 2024 and 2025 bumper edition of our On the GO magazine. This edition is packed with all of the fantastic mahi that our members have been doing over the last 2 years. Have a read and share our success!

On the GO 2024/25

GO member and Outreach Hub co-leader Associate Professor Nic Rawlence has been awarded the 2025 Cranwell Medal for excellence in science communication.

Read more on Otago Newsroom.

Genetics Otago researcher Dr Nathan Kenny is using the latest genomics tools to improve the resilience of green-lipped mussels to climate change.

Read more at Otago Newsroom.

Several GO members have been successful in gaining Canterbury Medical Research Foundation Grants. Dr George Wiggins, is a recipient of the Foundation’s Emerging Researcher Grant, while Dr Annika Seddon is working with Professor Margreet Vissers on a Special Project Grant. Dr Gemma Moir-Meyer has been awarded a CMRF Major Project Grant.

Read more at Otago Newsroom.

GO members Professor Jemma Geoghegan and Professor Peter Dearden are senior authors on a publication showing that the endangered hoiho is made up of three distinct subspecies.

Read more at Otago newsroom.

Read the full text here.

GO Co-Director, Professor Logan Walker, has been awarded the 2025 Lily Medal at the Royal Society Research Honours event held in Christchurch.

Read more on the Otago Newsroom.

Genetics Otago’s Associate Professor Nic Rawlence has co-authored a paper describing fossil evidence of a small Bowerbird in St Bathans.

Read more at Otago Newsroom or on The Conversation.

Full text here.

Associate Professor Anna Pilbrow, a GO member based at Otago’s Christchurch campus has been awarded a Project Grant from the Heart Foundation of NZ.

Read more at Otago Newsroom.

Genetics Otago member Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee and his team at the Department of Pathology have received a major donation from the Louise Davie Charitable Trust to develop a lifesaving, blood-based diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer.

Read more at Otago’s Newsroom.