People

Nathan Kenny

I am originally from New Zealand (I grew up mostly in Christchurch, and whakapapa to Te Ātiawa and Ngāi Tahu), although I have lived and worked in the UK and Hong Kong during my studies and professional career.  I am also a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum, London.

I study a variety of topics in invertebrate molecular evolution and genomics. My RDF work will investigate how kuku (green-lipped mussels) can survive the more pernicious aspects of climate change.  I have recently finished a MSCA IF award focusing on how sponge species have adapted to extreme cold and novel conditions at a molecular level, and a postdoc at the Solana Lab, Oxford Brookes, working on the molecular control of regeneration in annelids and platyhelminthes using single cell sequencing. 

Katerina Achilleos

Postdoctoral Fellow 

My research focuses on habitat-forming marine invertebrates. I am especially interested in biomineralization in marine calcifiers, and how this key process may be affected by environmental stressors. Understanding this will help us understand both conserved and varying aspects of biomineralisation across the animal tree of life. My work is funded by a Health Sciences Career Development Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Photo:  Carlos Jimenez

Marc Bailie

Postdoctoral Fellow 

Originating from South Africa's rich landscapes, I've spent over a decade embracing the beauty of Aotearoa's islands. My expertise in genome assembly and genome-wide prediction studies has led me to the University of Otago  in the historic city of Dunedin. Here, I am collaborating with Wakatū Incorporation, and with the support of Genomics Aotearoa's funding, I am poised to utilize state-of-the-art genomic technologies to foster Wakatū's aspirations 

Roseanna Gamlen-Greene

Postdoctoral Fellow | National Geographic Explorer 

Kia ora! I grew up in Te Tai Poutini (West Coast of the South Island) and Ōtautahi Christchurch and I whakapapa to Waikato-Tainui as well as Ireland, Scotland and England. I did my PhD at the University of British Columbia in Canada, studying amphibian conservation biology using genomics, species distribution modelling, and experiments. One of the most meaningful parts of my PhD was my outreach and engagement with different communities of people to support science education and help local land managers apply my results. I did my BSc(Hons) at the University of Canterbury studying biogeochemistry and freshwater ecology. 

At Otago, I am working on various genomics projects with and for tangata whenua and other communities. 

email: roseanna dot gamlen-greene (a) otago.ac.nz

personal website: https://roseannagamlen-greene.weebly.com/

Hannah Greenhough

PhD student 

Co-supervisors, Dr Anne Vignier and Dr Kirsty Smith (Cawthron Institute), Associate Professsor Chris Brown (University of Otago)

I have been working at the Cawthron since 2015 as part of the Cawthron Algal Centre. I have worked on growth optimisation with a wide range of microalgae, focussing on producers of novel bioactive compounds. For my PhD, I will be investigating the effect of harmful algal blooms and multiple stressors on kuku biology, using a range of techniques. I am supported by a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship.

Photo: Hannah in the Cawthron Algae Facility (taken by Tim Cuff)

Mary Hawkes

PhD student

Co-supervisors, Professor Peter Dearden, Professor Neil Gemmell  (University of Otago)

Over the last few years, in the course of my studies and work, I have worked on a wide variety of animals - from vertebrates (like mice) to koura, bees and other invertebrates. I am now working on kuku embryology using SPLiT-seq single cell sequencing approaches, funded by a Marsden FastStart research grant. 

I also have a background in science communication, and enjoy sharing my work with a variety of audiences!

Caleb Trimble

PhD student

Co-supervisors, Dr Matthias Fellner, Professor Miles Lamare (University of Otago), Dr Suzanne Williams (The Natural History Museum, London)

Born in the North Island of New Zealand, and raised in the south, I have experienced a diverse range of Aotearoa's culture and heritage. With a passion for life sciences encompassing botany, horticulture, and marine biology, I have gained valuable experiences, from pest trapping in native forests and coastlines to seasonal harvest work. 

My research, supported by a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship, aims to uncover the secrets behind blue coloration in Linckia laevigata sea stars, exploring the adaptive advantages and evolutionary significance of this trait. Linckia laevigata are commonly found in the shallow coastal regions of the Indo-West Pacific, where high temperatures and UV exposure are prevalent. Blue pigmentation is believed to offer protection against these conditions, but little scientific study has been done to understand this. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, I will employ classical biochemistry techniques, genetic/bioinformatic approaches, and non-destructive live specimen studies. Additionally, I aim to compare my findings in L. laevigata with those of the New Zealand endemic Cushion Stars (Patiriella sp.).  Photo: Miriam Sharpe

July Ariñez

PhD student

Co-supervisors:  Dr Shannon Clarke (AgResearch), Dr Jane Symonds, Dr Megan Scholtens (Cawthron)

July earned his BSc degree in Fisheries from Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) and earned his MSc degree in Aquaculture from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV). Determined to cultivate more his knowledge on aquaculture genetics, July further pursued an EU-funded MSc program where he specialized on Animal Breeding and Genetics in Wageningen University and Research (WUR) Netherlands and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway. 

For his PhD research, July will be using genomics and quantitative genetic approaches to unravel the genetic bases of thermal tolerance in New Zealand's farmed King salmon (Oncorhyncus tshawytscha), with the support of an MBIE Endeavour Research Programme, Climate Adapted Finfish. The result from his work will be utilized for the development of an adaptive breeding program to mitigate the impacts of climate change and marine heatwaves on King Salmon aquaculture industry in Aotearoa.

Tyla Te Puawai Hill-Moana

PhD student

Co-supervisors, Dr Christopher Cornwall (Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka), Dr Mark Fenwick (Te Ātiawa Iwi Trust)

Kia ora rā! He uri nō te tātai o Tainui waka, nō ngā wai tukukiri o Waikato, nō te tupuna whaea o Taupiri, nō roto mai i te tāwharautanga o Te Whare o Pōtatau. I tupu ake ki roto o Rāhui Pōkekā, ā, i heke atu ki Te Upoko-o-te-ika-a-Māui hei āhuru mōwai mōku i ēnei rā.

I’m shifting from the marine, fisheries and data science space, to researching the genomics of a freshwater taonga species, kākahi or kāeo. Supported by an MBIE Endeavour Fund, my PhD will look into using molecular tools to study the impacts of freshwater acidification on these species in my awa, Te Awa o Waikato. Mauri ora! 

Ismael Chowdhury

PhD student

Co-supervisors:  Associate Professor Megan Wilson (Anatomy)

Kia ora!My research focuses on the molecular and ecological mechanisms driving regeneration, growth, and reproduction in understudied marine invertebrates, particularly bryozoans. By leveraging advanced techniques such as electron microscopy, molecular genetics, and phylogenetics, I aim to uncover the evolutionary and ecological roles of these fascinating organisms in marine ecosystems.

Originally from Anaheim, California, I have always been drawn to the ocean and its incredible biodiversity. My academic journey began at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt), where I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology with a marine emphasis. During my graduate studies, I conducted research on the diversity and distribution of bryozoans along California’s rocky outer coast, which led to collaborations with bryozoologists worldwide.

I am passionate about using interdisciplinary approaches combining taxonomy, genetics, and ecology to address pressing questions in marine science. My work not only advances our understanding of marine biodiversity but also contributes to conservation efforts by identifying the impacts of environmental change on native and invasive species. Photo: Hannah Lee

Ella Dewar

MSc student

Co-supervisor: Dr Gert-Jan Jeunen (University of Otago)

I grew up in Christchurch and moved to Dunedin to attend the University of Otago where I finished my Bachelors in Genetics in 2022. Over the summer of 22/23 I completed a summer studentship in the department of Biochemistry here at Otago, and I am starting a Masters. investigating freshwater sponges, their diversity, and potential use as passive eDNA samplers for NZ rivers.

Ella is supported in this work by a DOC Post-graduate Scholarship. Details here

Emma Downer

BSc (Hons) student

I grew up on the Kāpiti Coast where I developed a love for the natural world, especially the marine environment and its critters. I am interested in animal evolution at the molecular level, and particularly how this research can serve species threatened by climate change (e.g. selectively breeding for climate resilient lines). I have recently completed my Honours year in Genetics looking at the influence of heat stress on gene expression and epigenetic regulation in kuku (Greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus). I am fortunate to be able to continue this research in the IDEA lab over summer working as an assistant research fellow.

Yiwen (Daniel) Mao

BSc (Hons) student

Co-supervisors: Dr Julien Vignier and Dr Lizenn Delisle (Cawthron Institute)

Kia Ora! I was born in Shanghai, China and moved to NZ back in 2011! I attended high school in the small city of Whangarei and came to Otago for University back in 2022 for a degree in Biochemistry. I have always had an interest in marine species, and I am so glad I can put my skills from undergrad to good use on them for my honours project. 

My research is supported by an MBIE Endeavour Smart Idea grant, and will focus on investigating the transgenerational effects of maternal immune priming on the transcriptome of Pacific Oyster (Magallana gigas) D-larvae, using an exciting new technique called SPLiT-seq to do scRNA-seq on them! This is part of a bigger project to investigate the effect of maternal immune priming on the oyster D-larvae resilience to OsHV-1 happening over at Cawthron. I hope that my data can contribute to our understanding the underlying mechanisms of the effects caused by immune priming on the resilience of the D-larvae.

Maddie Ford

BSc (Hons) student

Kia ora, I grew up in the Bay of Plenty and moved to Ōtepoti to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Molecular Biotechnology and Agricultural Innovation. I am now undertaking my Honours in the IDEA lab researching the transcriptomic response of Kawakawa to damage by the looper moth. In partnership with Wakatū Incorporation, I am combining molecular biology with tikanga Māori to explore how insect herbivory influences the plant’s bioactive properties.

Jan Haviernik

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ahoj! I am from the Czech Republic, and have expertise in Microbiology and Molecular Biotechnology. I did my PhD in Microbiology at Masaryk University, before working at the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In the IDEA lab I am working on a project that aims to uncover whether genomic structural variation plays a role in Kuku adaptation and regional differentiation. 

Louise Walker

Assistant Research Fellow

I am a recent graduate in Biochemistry from the University of Otago. I have previously worked on a number of projects in plant genetics and development. I worked on a UORG funded project, looking at the expression of shell field specification-related genes in the embryos of kuku, using HCR and transcriptomic approaches.

Daisy Power

BSc (Hons) Student

I have recently completed my undergraduate degree in Genetics here at the University of Otago. For my honours project, I will be investigating microRNAs in kuku under climate change conditions, supported by a Rutherford research grant.

Aleisha Chalmers

BSc (Hons) student

I am originally from Tāmaki Makaurau and whakapapa to Ngāti Pū. I completed a BSc majoring in Neuroscience and Zoology here at the University of Otago in 2023. Recently I have finished my honours in Neuroscience, investigating perception and the conserved eye development cascade in kuku, using a transcriptomic approach. Currently I am lucky enough to be continuing this work as a summer student in the lab. My main research interests are in comparative neurobiology, developmental genetics, and the evolution of nervous systems.