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Professor Neil GemmellBSc (Hons), PhD

Professor Neil Gemmell is the AgResearch Chair in Reproduction and Genomics at the University of Otago. He is also Director of the associated Centre for Reproduction and Genomics, based at Invermay. He leads the Evolutionary Genomics Group, which applies recent advances in genomic technology to the fields of ecology, population, conservation and evolutionary biology.

Neil's specific research interests lie in three reproduction-based areas: the analysis of mating systems through molecular approaches; asymmetric fitness effects of mtDNA mutations, explored through competitive fertilization experiments and theoretical modeling; and the evolution of microsatellites, using bioinformatics and comparative molecular genetics.

Neil obtained an Honours degree in Biochemistry at Victoria University of Wellington, before completing a PhD at Australia's La Trobe University, researching population and evolutionary genetics in platypus. He undertook postdoctoral research at Cambridge University and later Leicester University. In 1998, he returned to New Zealand to take up at position lecturing in genetics at the University of Canterbury. Neil was appointed to his current role in 2008.

Publications

Urban, L., Santure, A. W., Uddstrom, L., Digby, A., Vercoe, D., Eason, D., … Kākāpō Recovery Team, including Thompson, T., Weinzweig, N., Whittaker, M., and also Wylie, M. J., … Le Lec, M. F., Guhlin, J., … Alexander, A., Fuentes-Cross, P., Dearden, P. K., Gemmell, N. J., Azeem, F., Weyland, M., Schwefel, H. G. L., … Morales, H. E. (2024). The genetic basis of the kākāpō structural color polymorphism suggests balancing selection by an extinct apex predator. PLoS Biology, 22(9), e3002755. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002755 Journal - Research Other

Kamstra, K., van der Burg, C., Quertermous, H. M., Muncaster, S., Todd, E. V., Jasoni, C. L., … Gemmell, N. J. (2024). Neuroendocrine regulation in sex-changing teleost fishes. In D. O. Norris & K. H. Lopez (Eds.), Hormones and reproduction of vertebrates (Vol. 1). (2nd ed.) (pp. 195-219). London, UK: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-443-16009-7.00013-X Chapter in Book - Research

Jeunen, G.-J., Mills, S., Lamare, M., Duffy, G. A., Knapp, M., Stanton, J.-A. L., … Treece, J., Ferreira, S., Durán-Vinet, B., Zavodna, M., & Gemmell, N. J. (2024). Unlocking Antarctic molecular time-capsules: Recovering historical environmental DNA from museum-preserved sponges. Molecular Ecology Resources. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/1755-0998.14001 Journal - Research Article

Jeunen, G.-J., Mills, S., Mariani, S., Treece, J., Ferreira, S., Stanton, J.-A. L., Durán-Vinet, B., Duffy, G. A., Gemmell, N. J., & Lamare, M. (2024). Streamlining large-scale oceanic biomonitoring using passive eDNA samplers integrated into vessel's continuous pump underway seawater systems. Science of the Total Environment, 946, 174354. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174354 Journal - Research Article

Pearman, W. S., Duffy, G. A., Gemmell, N. J., Morales, S. E., & Fraser, C. I. (2024). Long-distance movement dynamics shape host microbiome richness and turnover. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiae089 Journal - Research Article

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