Dr Michelle Thunders has been appointed Chair of the Genetics Mātai Ira Governance Board.
The Genetics Mātai Ira Otago Research Centre unites more than 300 genetics researchers from across Otago campuses. Their teaching programme brings together teachers from nine Departments across the University to provide students with the full spectrum of genetics expertise. The Board meets three times a year.
Dr Thunders is a Senior Lecturer in Pathology and Molecular Medicine with the Department of Pathology on the University's Wellington campus. She has had a varied academic career of over 20 years which has given her a diverse research portfolio and a good understanding of different disciplines and the relevance of genetics to each.
“I am a strong believer in inclusive genetics education and making knowledge accessible and meaningful to all,” Dr Thunders says.
“As Chair of the Genetics Mātai Ira Governance Board I look forward to supporting the growth and development of high-quality genetics teaching and research at Otago, increasing the profile of Genetics Mātai Ira and developing alignment between our Divisions and campuses.”
Associate Professor Megan Wilson is Director of the Genetics Mātai Ira Teaching Programme at Otago. She says the Chair is an important governance position for the diverse and expanding genetics community. She welcomes Dr Thunders to the position, and acknowledges outgoing Chair Professor Greg Jones.
“We thank Professor Jones for providing outstanding support to the Directors of both the teaching programme and Genetics Otago, in addition to his invaluable guidance and leadership as Chair of the Board since 2016,” she says.
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