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.
GO Annual Symposium – New Date Confirmed!
As usual, the Symposium will highlight the fantastic research being done by GO members from around the country through presentations, posters and awards. We are aware that this date clashes with a couple of other conferences happening in NZ and we apologise if this means you are unable to attend.
Date: Thursday, 20th February 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: TBC
Programme
A draft programme will be available here soon.
Registration
Registration for this event is now open via the button below. If you had already registered for the event scheduled for December we ask you to please register again so that we have accurate numbers for catering. If you made a payment at that time, this should have been refunded to you – please contact us if you don’t think this has been processed.
Registration will remain open until Monday the 3rd of February, however we hope that by opening now, prior to end of year budget cut-offs, you maybe able to charge the registration fee to any surplus in your 2024 University accounts.
Registration Fee
Due to budget constraints, we will be charging a $50 per person registration fee for all attendees to subsidise the costs associated with the Symposium. We have received confirmation that this registration fee can be paid from S accounts, and if you are in a position to make a donation on top of this fee, we would gladly receive it. However, we do not want the payment to be a barrier to attendance, so if you are not in a position to make a payment, please contact us go@otago.ac.nz.
Payment Methods
Payments from an S account (or other University account) can be journaled to Genetics Otago account GL.10.LH.A14.2541 via your finance associate. Please include the surname(s) of the registrants that the payment covers in the narration.
If you need to make payment using funds from outside the University this can be arranged via the Cashier’s Office. Please contact us for details (go@otago.ac.nz).
Awards
The Annual Genetics Otago Awards including The Genetics Otago Award, Outstanding Mentor Awards, Student Supervisor Award, Publication Awards, Poster Awards and Science Communication Prize will be presented at the conclusion of the Symposium and nominations for these are now open.
All award nominations should be submitted by email to go@otago.ac.nz.
Please note: Award nominations are now open until Monday 3rd February at 5pm.
Full details of the awards can be found here: Award Details.
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.
Research Bazaar (ResBaz) is coming to Dunedin: workshops, compelling seminars, engaging discussion. Free of charge!
Attending ResBaz offers:
– Hearing how researchers currently use digital tools and coding to improve their research
– Workshops on learning to code and ways to improve your efficiency in research
– Engagement with a community designed for continued peer-learning
From the 5th to the 7th of July 2021, the University of Otago will be hosting ResBaz, a worldwide event designed to promote and teach the computing and digital collaboration skills that now play a central role in today’s fast-paced research.
With a combination of keynote research seminars, hands-on training workshops and group discussion sessions, ResBaz is targeted at postgraduate research students and early career researchers who are wanting to upskill in these areas.
Workshop sessions will cover:
– Data analysis and visualisation with R and RStudio
– Bash scripting
– Improved reproducibility with version control and workflow languages
– Research data management
– Web site creation with GitHub
– Science communication
– Even more! (see link below)
Check out https://resbaz.github.io/resbaz2021/dunedin/ for a full list and description of sessions.
This event is free, but spaces are limited so registration is essential!
To register or see the draft schedule for ResBaz Dunedin 2021, go to https://resbaz.github.io/resbaz2021/dunedin/
For additional information about Research Bazaar, please email the ResBaz Dunedin 2021 organising committee at: carpentries@otago.ac.nz
We’re looking forward to seeing you at ResBaz 2021!
Course Duration: 2-Days
Platform: There are no software requirements.
Overview: This course is a fun introduction to the appropriate application and interpretation of biostatistical concepts. It is for people working in clinical research who have no formal statistical training.
Contents: The focus of this course will be on understanding the appropriate use of statistical methods, the implications when underlying assumptions are not met, and how to interpret statistical results. Participants will not be carrying out analyses. Course material will be presented through examples, and all statistical analyses will be performed by the course instructors. Topics include handling data, collecting data, study design, inference and sample size calculations. The course is presented by Associate Professor Robin Turner, Director of the Biostatistics Centre. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. **GST applies to all credit card payments** All students who wish to pay by departmental cost code need to email: biostatistics_dunedin@otago.ac.nz. If you have any questions about the course contents/level, please email: biostatistics_dunedin@otago.ac.nz
More Details: https://corpapp.otago.ac.nz/training/biostats/course/9055/course/0/
Biostatistics Centre
Te Pokapū Tatauranga Koiora
Division of Health Sciences
Te Wāhanga Matua Mātua Hauora
Stata Software Workshop
Register at: https://www.otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/research/biostatistics.html
When: 7th July 2021, 9:00am to 4:30pm
Where: Hercus CAL Lab, Dunedin South Campus
Cost: $150 Early Bird Entry Fee $225 after 15th June 2021
Instructor: Dr Ari Samaranayaka
This is a hands-on workshop based in a computer lab aimed at researchers and research students who need to use Stata Software for their research. The computer lab has Windows computers, but the software works on Mac computers in the same way. Participants can bring their own laptops with Stata (version 16 or later) if they wish. Please advise if you are brining your own laptop.
The University of Otago now offers Stata SE to all Staff and Students.
This is an introductory level course, no previous experience with the software is expected. The workshop focuses on the use of Stata software for simple statistical analyses. Underlying statistical concepts are also discussed as necessary even though the course is not intended to teach biostatistics theory.
The course will use an example dataset to cover the following:
- reading data into Stata
- handling numeric and text data.
- data checking for errors, cleaning, manipulating
- commonly used univariate and bivariate descriptive analyses
- simple graphs
- confidence intervals
- basic statistical tests
- simple linear regression
- do-files
The course is limited to 30 people.
**Credit card payments will incur GST**
Students wishing to pay by Departmental Cost Code will need to contact:biostatistics_dunedin@otago.ac.nz
Because of restrictions to food and drink inside the computer lab, we are unable to provide any catering. We encourage you to bring your own bottled water. One hour for lunch and two 15min tea breaks.
Cancellations must be made to the Biostatistics Centre no later than 4pm Tuesday, 29th June 2021. After this time a cancellation fee may apply.
Questions? Please email: biostatistics_dunedin@otago.ac.nz
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 – see below for more on eligibility and rules.
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
Eligibility
Active PhD and Professional Doctorate candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under examination, but not graduates) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in all levels of the 3MT® competition. The University of Otago overall winner will be entered in the Asia-Pacific 3MT® final. Pre-confirmation PhD candidates who are active in programme are eligible to participate in heats, but cannot advance to the University of Otago Grand Final.
Master’s thesis (90 points of research or more) candidates who are active in programme (including candidates whose thesis is under examination, but not graduates) are eligible to participate in all levels of the 3MT® competition. The overall winner will be entered in the New Zealand Masters 3MT® National Inter-University Challenge.
Competition timeline
- Monday 28 June 1.30pm
University of Otago Christchurch 3MT® competition, Beaven Lecture Theatre, Christchurch campus. - Tuesday 29 June 1pm
University of Otago Wellington 3MT® competition, Small Lecture Theatre, Wellington campus.
Note: the Christchurch and Wellington competitions feed into the Health Sciences Divisional heat, other Division candidates located in Christchurch/Wellington can present at these events and be judged as part of their Divisional heat.
- Tuesday 6 July 10am
Humanities Division 3MT® heat, Moot Court, Richardson Building, Dunedin campus. - Wednesday 7 July 2pm
Health Sciences Division 3MT® heat, Barnett Lecture Theatre, Dunedin Hospital. - Thursday 8 July 10am
Commerce Division 3MT® heat, Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17, Dunedin campus. - Friday 9 July 10am
Sciences Division 3MT® heat, Mellor Laboratories Seminar Room 2.02, Dunedin campus.
Heat winners progress to the Grand Final (see below).
- Thursday 5 August 5pm
University of Otago 3MT® grand final, venue to be confirmed.
Grand Final winners progress to further national/international competitions:
- Master’s, Tuesday 31 August.
- Doctoral, September/October.
Competition rules
The University of Otago 3MT® competition follows the official rules of the founder, the University of Queensland.
Have a look at past years’ events on our archive page.
The BHRC Annual Conference is now open for registration. It will feature a range of presentations across the field of neuroscience, and an Assistant Research Fellow and Speaker prize will be awarded on 8 July.
Zoom attendees are also welcome.
Please register by 30th June: https://forms.gle/QUz5Tx2Cm2EaySvn8
Reminder! This year, we are holding a “My ARF is the best” competition. Sponsored by Lab Supply, PIs will have 1 min to explain why their ARF should be in the running for a total prize pool of $200. The conference attendees will vote for a winner!
HEDC Professional Development Programme
Develop a sustainable job search process
It’s a job getting a job so make sure that you come to this workshop to share ideas for getting yourself a strategy for finding a meaningful job.
The workshop will be facilitated by Yvonne Gaut, Career Development Centre.
Dates
Friday 14 May, 10.00am-12.30pm
Thursday 8 July, 10.00am-12.30pm
Friday 10 September, 12.30-3.00pm
Registration link: https://corpapp.otago.ac.nz/training/hedc/course/16757/course/0/
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 – see below for more on eligibility and rules.
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
Eligibility
Active PhD and Professional Doctorate candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under examination, but not graduates) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in all levels of the 3MT® competition. The University of Otago overall winner will be entered in the Asia-Pacific 3MT® final. Pre-confirmation PhD candidates who are active in programme are eligible to participate in heats, but cannot advance to the University of Otago Grand Final.
Master’s thesis (90 points of research or more) candidates who are active in programme (including candidates whose thesis is under examination, but not graduates) are eligible to participate in all levels of the 3MT® competition. The overall winner will be entered in the New Zealand Masters 3MT® National Inter-University Challenge.
Competition timeline
- Monday 28 June 1.30pm
University of Otago Christchurch 3MT® competition, Beaven Lecture Theatre, Christchurch campus. - Tuesday 29 June 1pm
University of Otago Wellington 3MT® competition, Small Lecture Theatre, Wellington campus.
Note: the Christchurch and Wellington competitions feed into the Health Sciences Divisional heat, other Division candidates located in Christchurch/Wellington can present at these events and be judged as part of their Divisional heat.
- Tuesday 6 July 10am
Humanities Division 3MT® heat, Moot Court, Richardson Building, Dunedin campus. - Wednesday 7 July 2pm
Health Sciences Division 3MT® heat, Barnett Lecture Theatre, Dunedin Hospital. - Thursday 8 July 10am
Commerce Division 3MT® heat, Otago Business School Lecture Room 1.17, Dunedin campus. - Friday 9 July 10am
Sciences Division 3MT® heat, Mellor Laboratories Seminar Room 2.02, Dunedin campus.
Heat winners progress to the Grand Final (see below).
- Thursday 5 August 5pm
University of Otago 3MT® grand final, venue to be confirmed.
Grand Final winners progress to further national/international competitions:
- Master’s, Tuesday 31 August.
- Doctoral, September/October.
Competition rules
The University of Otago 3MT® competition follows the official rules of the founder, the University of Queensland.
Have a look at past years’ events on our archive page.
Have you heard about flow cytometry but aren’t yet confident enough to use it? Are you a flow cytometry wizard but are unsure why all the kids are talking about spectral cytometry? Then this is the crash course for you. Kate Pilkington from Cytek Biosciences will be visiting the university to give 4 talks over 2 days. See the Itinerary below.
Monday 12th July – 10:30am – 12:00pm – Introduction to Flow Cytometry
Monday 12th July – 3:30pm – 4:30pm – Panel Design Workshop
Tuesday 13th July – 9:30am – 11:00am – Spectral Cytometry
Tuesday 13th July – 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Flow Cytometry Best Practices (Including Reference control use)
Tuesday 13th July – 2:30pm – 3:00pm – Otago Flow Cytometry Unit updates
All talks and workshops will take place in room 208, second floor microbiology and immunology building.
Please register using the link below. Registration Essential.
See you there,
The OMNI Flow Cytometry TeamFlow Cytometry Crash Course
Bioethics Seminar
Trustworthy Governance of Health and Genomic Data: Lessons from Singapore
Angela Ballantyne
Associate Professor of Bioethics
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago (Wellington)
In this presentation I will report the preliminary findings from three connected studies on public attitudes to data-sharing and precision medicine in Singapore: seven focus groups with 62 participants, conducted in three languages (English, Mandarin and Malay); a household survey in 2020 with 1,000 Singaporeans to assess public preferences on sharing health-related data for precision medicine; and a four-day citizens’ jury to deliberate on sharing data with comical companies. This research is important because much of the existing literature on public attitudes to PM and data sharing comes from Europe and North America. Across our three studies, four ethical values emerged as the central considerations for ethical and trusted health data use in Singapore: public interests, fairness, accountability and transparency. In all three studies, consent was not a determinative factor for public trust or support of data sharing. While participants generally thought the potential benefits of data sharing outweighed the risks, they were cognizant of various risks including data leaks, data misuse, privacy breaches, misdiagnosis and threats to the doctor-patient relationship (due to an increasingly data-driven approach), and group harms such as stigmatization, discrimination, loss of access to medical care. In this presentation, I will draw on our empirical findings and propose recommendations for trustworthy data governance in Singapore and consider how these lessons compare to the New Zealand context.
Room 119, Bioethics Seminar Room 71 Frederick Street, Dunedin
Video linked:
To secure the booking for this seminar video link in Christchurch and Wellington, please register your name, subject and date of the seminar for attendance:
Wellington School of Medicine Room C31 Contact: Videoconferencing University of Otago Wellington avvcsupport.uow@otago.ac.nz or University of Otago Christchurch Room 7.11 Contact: av.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Please note: if there is no registration (for northern campuses) by the Thursday prior to the advertised seminar, the booking for that campus venue will be terminated.
Dunedin attendees do not need to register
Department of Botany Seminars—Semester Two 2021
Wednesdays at 12 noon in the Physical Education Building, 55 Union St West, room 2.13 (unless otherwise stated please see schedule below).
For those who cannot attend in person, you are welcome to join via the Zoom link below: https://otago.zoom.us/j/94239463064?pwd=d051YWFwdVB1bi9FSzBjYzkwNWJBUT09 Password: 807740
