Events
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.
Logan Walker IPL
Preparing for the future of genetic health
Logan is a cancer geneticist and the current Associate Dean Research, at the University of Otago Christchurch. His research focuses on understanding the impact of genetic changes on health. After completing post-doctoral training in Australia, and returning to the University of Otago, his research programme was significantly strengthened by being awarded a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (Health Research Council) followed by a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship (Royal Society Te Apārangi).
He is an invited member of several international groups tasked with improving protocols for genetic testing around the world. This work includes developing RNA diagnostic guidelines for both the clinical and research setting, and providing expert advice about the implementation of these guidelines and the interpretation of genetic test results. In collaboration with multiple international consortia, he has also contributed to and led some of the largest genetic association studies to discover inherited DNA copy number changes that increase or decrease susceptibility to cancer.s.
Date: Tuessday, 11th March 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Christchurch Campus (and via Zoom)
AlphaFold for Geneticists
The AlphaFold for Geneticists workshop will introduce participants to the AI tool AlphaFold. Attendees will learn how to run AlphaFold on their chosen variant and interpret outputted results. Led by experts Prof Peter Mace and Dr Adam Middleton, the session will provide insight into the strengths and limitations of AlphaFold. Further details will be provided to registrants.
Date: Monday, 24th March 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: TBC, Dunedin Campus
This workshop is now full, please email go@otago.ac.nz if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
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.
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).
Biostatistics Centre
Te Pokapū Tatauranga Koiora
Division of Health Sciences
Te Wāhanga Matua Mātua Hauora
Biostatistical Tips from Biostatisticians
When: 28th June 2021,11:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Room 033, Adams Building, 18 Frederick Street
Presenter: Associate Professor Robin Turner
Feeling like it’s difficult to get Biostatistical help? Come along to our seminar to learn about what we do. We will answer all your questions on how to get fast access to Biostatistical help; including all the insider tips on how we work and how we collaborate with researchers.
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.