Upcoming events hosted by or involving Genetics Otago will be listed here. Please check back regularly for updates. A calendar of events that may be of interest to our members can be found at the bottom of this page and in the sidebar of other pages on this site, please note that this includes events hosted outside of Genetics Otago.
VISG Seminar Series
The Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics (VISG) Hub is a key part of Genetics Otago, providing a platform for researchers to collaborate and exchange knowledge and expertise in statistical genetics. The VISG Hub hosts seminars, workshops, and other events to promote statistical genetics research and foster collaboration between researchers.
We’re excited to announce our monthly genetics research seminars, aimed at connecting researchers in the field. The seminars will commence in May 2023 and will be hosted by GO’s Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics (VISG) Hub along with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Otago. These seminars will be available in person or via Zoom, and all are welcome.
Date: 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Schedule
- May: Associate Professor Phil Wilcox, University of Otago
- June: Professor Mik Black, University of Otago
- July: Dr Ludovic Dutoit, University of Otago – please note that this seminar will be held on the 27th of July rather than the 20th due to ICG.
- August: Dr Setegn Alemu, AgResearch
- September: Ee Cheng Oi, Abacus Bio
- October: Franziska Weik, Beef + Lamb NZ Genetics – Cancelled
- November: Dr Jane Symonds and Dr Megan Scholtens, Cawthron – please note that this seminar will be held on the 17th of November rather than the 16th due to the Genetics Otago Annual Symposium.
Zoom Details
If you would like the Zoom details for this event, please contact us.
Next Seminar
The next seminar will be held on Friday the 17th of November, 11 am in Biochemistry Seminar Room G13 and will be given by Dr Jane Symonds and Dr Megan Scholtens, Cawthron Institute.
Title: Environmental resilience in aquatic species
Abstract: The New Zealand aquaculture sector faces growing vulnerability due to climate change, with marine heatwaves already causing elevated summer mortality rates in Greenshell mussels and king (Chinook) salmon. To tackle these challenges, selective breeding and genomic selection offer long-term solutions. Temperature challenge models, implemented in controlled tank environments, have been developed for both species. So far, this approach has been applied successfully to test more than 230 pedigree king salmon families and 21 Greenshell mussel families. Heritabilities for time to death at elevated temperature were high (0.34 to 0.48) suggesting that selection for improved thermotolerance is possible.
Megan Scholtens
Megan is a geneticist within the Aquaculture Group at Cawthron and is involved in a number of research projects across the ‘Shellfish Aquaculture’ and ‘Finfish Climate Change Adaptation’ platforms. Megan specialises in the application of genetic and genomic methodologies to enhance the understanding of how genes affect traits such as growth, development, behaviour, reproduction and immunity to improve the efficiency, resilience and survivability of aquatic species. In addition, Megan contributes to research activities of the Aquaculture team by integrating the experimental biology with commercial production to help provide solutions for clients and deliver tangible outcomes for the aquaculture industry.
Jane Symonds
Jane is a Senior Scientist and Team Leader in the Aquaculture Group at Cawthron. Jane’s focus is the application of research to enhance sustainable commercial production with a specific interest in king salmon farming and selective breeding. She has over 30 years of experience in this field. As a science programme leader she oversees a wide range of multi-disciplinary collaborative projects with internal and external partners, including salmon feed efficiency, genomics, behaviour, health, physiology, microbiomics, climate change adaptation, data science and developing trials to selectively breed resilient and efficient king salmon. Implementation of research for sustainable and profitable aquaculture development is a key driver for Jane. Dr Symonds is also a Senior Adjunct Researcher at the University of Tasmania and helps supervise multiple post-graduate students.
If you have any questions about this seminar series please contact us.
Calendar of Events
The below is a calendar of events hosted by GO as well as events hosted by others that may be of interest to our members. If you have an event you would like us to include please contact us here.
This entertaining event gives thesis students the chance to present their research to a large audience while competing for a number of generous prizes, with the overall University of Otago Doctoral winner going on to participate in the online Asia-Pacific 3MT® final. We also have the opportunity to send the best Master’s contestant to represent the University in the online New Zealand Masters 3MT® National Inter-University Challenge.
The competition is open to both thesis Master’s and Doctoral students, who must communicate their research in no more than three minutes, with the help of only one static slide, with the presentation aimed at a non-specialist audience.
At this stage, the local 2021 University of Otago competition will be held in person, but arrangements are being made to revert to an online competition if necessary.
Entries close Friday 25 June
Register for this event
Have a look at past years’ events on our archive page.
See attached PDF for details of each weeks seminar:
Visit the HEDC Website for details and registration for this event and all other HEDC workshops. Places are limited.
Matariki Lecture – Friday 21 May, 12am-1.30am, via Zoom
Professor Ehmke Pohl, Durham University: Virus-X – exploring the structural and functional diversity of the Virosphere
In this lecture, the key methods and challenges involved in establishing the pipeline from collecting virus samples to analysing the structures and functions of the encoded enzymes will be presented. The potential of Virus-X products will be highlighted with specific examples of applications in Covid19 detection technologies.
- The lecture will be recorded and broadcasted on the Matariki Youtube channel afterwards.
- Zoom: https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/65162580631
- For more information, contact Ellen Sjöholm (ellen.sjoholm@uadm.uu.se)
Emeritus Professor Warren Tate: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a real disease that has come of age with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
ME/CFS has remained a mystery lifelong debilitating disease for many years with little public profile, despite affecting 15-30 million people worldwide, and 20 000 in NZ. The lack of a molecular-based diagnostic test led to a strong belief the disease was an imagined somatic symptom disorder. In NZ, ME/CFS patients have been poorly served by health professionals and social agencies. We have completed multiple molecular preclinical studies on affected patients and have established unequivocal evidence of a complex disturbance to their biochemistry, their DNA epigenetic code and overall physiology. Public recognition and awareness of ME/CFS has suddenly skyrocketed with post SARS-CoV-2 patients exhibiting symptoms mimicking those of ME/CFS. The global incidence of ME/CFS may double as a result of this pandemic.
From December 2019, when an outbreak of a pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus was first recognised in China, to the availability of several effective vaccines less than 1 year later – how did we get here? Dr Ussher from Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago will discuss the need for a COVID-19 vaccine, how the vaccines were developed so quickly, the safety and efficacy of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and the challenge posed by emerging viral variants.
More details here
See attached PDF for details of each weeks seminar:
Master of Teaching and Learning applications close 31 July 2021.
The Master of Teaching and Learning is a one-year programme (or equivalent in part-time study) offered through the University of Otago’s College of Education.
- Bright and motivated graduates from any discipline will be considered for this prestigious qualification.
- Choose between early childhood education, primary education or secondary education.
- Fun learning environment with a good balance of theoretical, interactive and hands-on learning.
- Unique placement programme with early childhood centres, kindergartens or schools ensures our graduates have real-world experience.
- Small classes with passionate lecturers equal a more personal learning environment. Otago’s teaching community and networks support you now and beyond.
- Future-proof your career while having high job enjoyment and a positive impact on children and society.
Please pass this onto students, friends and colleagues who you think would be interested.
More details here
Visit the HEDC Website for details and registration for this event and all other HEDC workshops. Places are limited.
Genetics Otago together with Allan Wilson @ Otago is pleased to bring you the second Ira Rangahau Symposium in June 2021. Initiated in 2019 by Dr Phillip Wilcox (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungnu ki te Wairoa), Ira Rangahau brings together Māori kaipūtaio (scientists) from around the motu to present on their genetics-related research ranging from the primary sector, to health, to whakapapa and te taiao (the environment).
