SMBE Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (New Zealand)
Date: 6 - 9 November 2022
Location: University of Waikato Campus, Hamilton, New Zealand and virtual — this was a hybrid event:
Meeting location: The Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts (GAPA) at the University of Waikato
Organising committee: Dr Ang McGaughran (University of Waikato), Dr Manpreet Dhami (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research), Dr Eli Parvizi (University of Waikato), Dr Amy Vaughan (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research)
Inaugural meeting of the Invasomics Hub!
In this regional meeting, we focused on understanding the role of the genome in biological invasion. We encouraged and prioritised talks from attendees whose research targets the genomics of invasion for a diverse variety of species (especially non-model organisms) and geographic areas, and where there is an emerging understanding of evolutionary processes facilitating local/global range expansion. With this approach, we expanded the scope of the meeting beyond the cornerstone invasive species models towards a more holistic engagement among researchers that has greater potential to provide generalisable key take-aways.
Two amazing plenary speakers:
Prof Neil Gemmell, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Assoc Prof Lee Rollins, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Four marvellous keynote speakers:
Assist Prof Kathryn Turner, Idaho State University, ID, United States
Assoc Prof Rob Colautti, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada
Assist Scientist Carolyn Tepolt, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA, USA
Prof Dianne Gleeson, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
Four major themes:
Global Spread/Threats/Pathways
Eco-evolutionary Processes
Technologies
Future Directions
Plus a workshop/group discussion-focused day and potential training opportunities.
Social programme: We kicked things off with an icebreaker event on Sunday the 6th November, and there was a conference dinner (3-course plated meal) on Tuesday the 8th November in Te Whare Tāpere Iti at GAPA (pictured right).
Carer/Travel awards: Thanks to our generous sponsors (see below), we awared several travel awards.
Sponsors:
Our primary sponsor was SMBE, who awarded us a Regional Meeting Award. Our additional sponsors included: the University of Waikato, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao (the Univeristy of Waikato Environmental Research Institute), and Genomics Aotearoa.
We thank all of our sponsors for their valuable contributions!
SMBEEverywhere Symposium GS8 - Genomics in a Changing World: Conservation, Invasive Species, and Climate Change
Date: February 23, 2023
Time: 10pm-5am UTC
Abstract submission deadline: 15th January 2023
Registration deadline: 30th January 2023
Geo region/Timezone: Oceania....NA/SA
Abstract: Climate change is rapidly facilitating changes in biological diversity and distributions across the globe. Genomic approaches can enable better understanding of the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems - from the broad perspectives of adaptive potential under different future climate scenarios, to the genomic architecture underlying biological invasions, to its use in informing conservation decisions. This symposium will feature talks on these three topics, with a common focus towards understanding rapid evolutionary responses in fluctuating and changing environments. Talks will highlight areas for future research, encourage new collaboration - particularly with respect to indigenous perspectives - and identify gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed.
Invited Speakers:
Prof Carol Eunmi Lee, University of Wisconsin, USA
Assist Prof Kara Layton, University of Aberdeen, UK
Assoc Prof Maui Hudson, University of Waikato, NZ
Dr Alana Alexander, University of Otago, NZ
Organisers: Dr Ang McGaughran (University of Waikato), Dr Manpreet Dhami (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research), Dr Priscilla Salloum (University of Otago), Assoc Prof Michael Knapp (University of Otago), Mr Pascale Lubbe (University of Otago)