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Jemma Geoghegan profile photo.Evolutionary Virologist
Rutherford Discovery Fellow

Email jemma.geoghegan@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 470 4696

Teaching

BSc Hons (First class) University of Strathclyde, Scotland; PhD, University of Otago

Year of appointment: 2020

Previous academic positions

  • Lecturer at Macquarie University (2017-2020)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sydney (2013-2017)
  • Research Associate at New York University (2012-2013)

Current research

My research involves using metagenomics to reveal the diversity, structure and evolution of the virosphere; examining the evolution of major viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2; and developing new analytical and computational approaches to analyse aspects of virus evolution.

Research interests

I am an evolutionary biologist and virologist with a strong research focus on emerging infectious disease. My research focuses on determining the fundamental patterns and processes of viral evolution, ecology and emergence.

Postgraduate opportunities available

PhD scholarships are available for talented students interested in studying aspects of virus evolution.

The PhD position requires the applicant to be eligible for admission to the PhD programme at the University of Otago and to be eligible for a scholarship. A GPA of 7.5 or greater and demonstration of proficiency in English are essential.

Search the Scholarships Database

Interested candidates with a BSc(Hons) or MSc degree are highly encouraged to get in touch.

Publications

French, R. K., Anderson, S., Cain, K., Digby, A., Greene, T. C., Miskelly, C. M., … Geoghegan, J. L., & Holmes, E. C. (2024). Diversity and cross-species transmission of viruses in a remote island ecosystem: Implications for wildlife conservation. Virus Evolution. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/ve/veae113 Journal - Research Article

Waller, S., French, N., & Geoghegan, J. L. (2024). Aotearoa's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza: Heightened awareness and surveillance essential for early detection. The Briefing, (11 December). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/aotearoas-first-case-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-heightened-awareness-and Journal - Research Other

Jelley, L., Douglas, J., O'Neill, M., Berquist, K., Claasen, A., Wang, J., … McIntyre, P., Dowell, T., … Geoghegan, J. L. (2024). Spatial and temporal transmission dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus in New Zealand before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature Communications, 15, 9758. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53998-5 Journal - Research Article

Grimwood, R. M., Waller, S. J., Wierenga, J. R., Lim, L., Dubrulle, J., Holmes, E. C., & Geoghegan, J. L. (2024). Viromes of Antarctic fish resemble the diversity found at lower latitudes. Virus Evolution, 10(1), veae050. doi: 10.1093/ve/veae050 Journal - Research Article

Grimwood, R. M., Reyes, E. M. R., Cooper, J., Welch, J., Taylor, G., Makan, T., … Dubrulle, J., … Geoghegan, J. L. (2024). From islands to infectomes: Host-specific viral diversity among birds across remote islands. BMC Ecology & Evolution, 24(1), 84. doi: 10.1186/s12862-024-02277-4 Journal - Research Article

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