Our Team
Prof. Neil Gemmell
Neil holds the chair in Reproduction and Genomics at the University of Otago and leader in applying cutting-edge genomics to ecology, conservation, and biosecurity. He has pioneered the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to explore biodiversity, monitor pest populations, and detect pathogens. Recently, he’s gained attention for sequencing the tuatara genome and launching an eDNA expedition in Loch Ness to uncover its mysteries.
Dr. Eddy Dowle
Eddy earned her PhD at Massey University, New Zealand and has research interests that span evolution, genomics and developmental biology. Passionate about the environment, Eddy has developed genomic tools for marine and freshwater biomonitoring, and at Biodiscover is finding new ways to analyse and present eDNA data.
Dr. Gert-Jan Jeunen
Gert-Jan completed his PhD studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand, where he pioneered the use of eDNA to study complex marine ecosystems. In groundbreaking work he has shown filter feeders – namely sponges – are a way to accurately access biodiversity in aquatic environments. At Biodiscover his research continues to focus in new ways of harvesting and detecting eDNA (eDNA) and is developing new software tools that enable fast and powerful insights from eDNA data.