Professor Julia Horsfield
Principal Investigator, Department of Pathology
Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences
Email julia.horsfield@otago.ac.nz
Michael Meier
Research Fellow
Email michael.meier@otago.ac.nz
Michael completed his PhD in 2018, working on the role of Cohesin and CTCF during zygotic genome activation in zebrafish in our lab. He then joined Megan Wilson's group in the Department of Anatomy to study whole body regeneration in the tunicate model Botrylloides diegensis, applying single cell genomics and CRISPR gene tagging approaches. He re-joined the Horsfield lab in 2022 to disentangle the various roles of cohesin subunits STAG2 and Rad21 during zebrafish tailbud development using single cell technologies.
Hannah Darroch
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email hannah.darroch@otago.ac.nz
Hannah completed her PhD in 2022 at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland under the supervision of Chris Hall. In the Hall Lab, Hannah used larval zebrafish to explore the functional and transcriptomic adaptations adopted by neutrophils that were generated by infection-driven granulopoiesis. In addition, she investigated the potential of larval zebrafish as a model of trained immunity. With an avid interest in continuing to use zebrafish as a disease model, Hannah joined the Horsfield Lab in 2022 where in conjunction with the Leask Lab (University of Alabama, USA and University of Otago), she now investigates non-coding genetic variants with potential to increase metabolic disease risk in Māori and Pacific populations. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys walking around regional and local parks and beaches, trying new recipes, and knitting.
Doug Mackie
Otago Zebrafish Facility Lead Technician
Email doug.mackie@otago.ac.nz
Doug Mackie is responsible for researcher training, day-to-day fish husbandry and fish life support systems. Doug supports a number of University of Otago researchers working with zebrafish, in addition to the CSDG.
Daniel Gray
PhD student
Email grada932@student.otago.ac.nz
Daniel completed his undergraduate study in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Genetics and minoring in Plant biotechnology. He then completed an honours project in 2022 comparing gout associated epigenetic patterns in individuals with European, Māori and Pacifika ancestry. Daniel's areas of interest centre on epigenetic contributions to human disease, and the intersection between genetics and environment. His research is focused on the roles of cohesin in the brain, with the aim to identify mechanisms which could cause the mental disorders common in people with cohesinopathies. In his spare time Daniel likes to hike, read and play basketball.
Kia ora Tātou,
Ko Ngongotahā te maunga
Ko Rotorua-Nui-a-Kahumatamomoe te roto
Nō Rotorua ahau
Ko Pakeha tōku mātāwaka
Ko Gray tōku whānau
Ko Daniel tōku ingoa
Charlotte Greenaway
PhD student
Email grech323@student.otago.ac.nz
Charlotte completed her undergraduate study in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Genetics. She graduated with a first class honours in Genetics in 2024. Charlotte’s honours research investigated the role of cohesin in brain development and function and she will continue this research for her PhD. Outside of study, Charlotte enjoys snow sports, hiking, reading, and horse riding.
Camille Bennett
Masters student
Email benca475@student.otago.ac.nz
Camille completed her undergraduate study in 2023 with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Reproduction, Genetics, and Development. Her research focuses on characterising wapl, a gene responsible for unloading cohesin, in zebrafish development. She is particularly interested in the processes of early development and consequences of gene regulation. Outside of the lab, Camille can be found reading, baking, or singing in Dunedin’s SHE Choir.
Honours, Diploma and intern student
Amelia Haller, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences majoring in Reproduction, Genetics and Development.