Equine Genetics & Genomics
Dr Brandon D Velie
The main focus of my research is the intersection of genomics and biological homeostasis with particular emphasis on the industry application of this information. Essentially, I am profoundly interested in the discovery and function of genes that underpin disease, athletic performance, and behaviour in horses. As someone who is actively involved in the horse industry outside of academia, the majority of my research tends to also include aspects of how the knowledge gained from research can be readily applied by equine professionals to improve horse well-being.
A list of my publications can be found here.
Phoebe Kee
Honours Student
Phoebe is investigating ways to improve veterinary management of racehorses pre- and post-racing through real-time monitoring of cardiorespiratory biometrics.
Caitlin Brown
Honours Student
Caitlin is using whole genome resequencing and high density genotyping array data to identify causal variants for ventricular septal defect in Arabian horses.
Karen Kwang
Honours Student
Karen is investigating play behaviours in young Thoroughbreds and exploring potential links between these developmental behaviours and performance.
Kathryn Nolan
Honours Student
Kathryn is utilizing pedigree and breeding records to investigate maternal effects in racing Thoroughbreds.
Gabrielle Cairncross
DVM3 Student
For her DVM3 research project, Gabrielle is comparing the incidence of post-operative incisional complications between the use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate and staples to suture for equine ventral midline colic surgery.
Jaimie McElroy
DVM3 Student
For her DVM3 research project, Jaimie is investigating if previous racing performance and success of off-the-track Thoroughbred eventers impacts the level at which these horses compete in eventing.
Maddie Plant
DVM3 Student
For her DVM3 research project, Maddie is exploring the efficacy of the HeV vaccine in preventing clinical signs of the virus.
Shelby Bragg, Rachel Heape,
Patrick Katsinas, & Kosha Modasia
Research Placement (2023)
Shelby, Rachel, Patrick, and Kosha are assisting with a range of projects exploring the genetics of performance and disease in racing breeds.
Group Alumni
Group Alumni
Dr Maria Rosengren
PhD (2022)
[SLU]
Maria investigated the genetics of athletic performance in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded trotters and the genetics of conformation traits in Icelandic horses. She was co-supervised with Professor Gabriella Lindgren at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
Dr Evelyn Todd
PhD (2021)
Evelyn's PhD work focused on population and quantitative genetics in Thoroughbred racehorses. She is particularly interested in understanding how population history events and selective breeding practices influence genomic changes in horses.
Elouise Bacon
Honours I (2022)
Elouise used state-of-the-art genomic technologies to identify genes associated with drug metabolism.
Kali Notaras
Honours
Kali utilized cutting-edge genetic and genomic methodologies to better understand the genetic diversity of brumbies in Australia.
Alize Drabbe
Honours I (2020)
Alize's project explored the genes underlying osteochondrosis in Belgian Warmblood horses.
Lillian Hellmann
Honours I (2020)
Lillian's project centred on racehorse behaviour with particular focus on developing tools to help better place/re-home retiring racehorses.
Lillian Hellmann
Honours Student (2020)
Marie Fontanel
Visiting Graduate Student
(2020-Agrosup Dijon)
Marie was a visiting student from France working on a project exploring the genetics underpinning gallop and endurance racing performance in Arabian horses.
Milla Holt & Soomin Lee
Research Placement (2022)
Milla and Soomin assisted with a project investigating maternal effects in racing Thoroughbreds.
Analise McDonald, Irene Yan Ling Teh, Karen Kwang, & Remi Miller
Research Placement (2021)
Analise, Irene, Karen, and Remi assisted with a project investigating maternal effects in racing Thoroughbreds.
Elise Sands
Research Placement (2020)
Elise studied osteochondrosis in young Thoroughbreds and the impact it can have on a horse's future racing career.
Ongoing International Collaborations
Horse Genome Consortium
A cooperative international effort by more than 100 scientists from 25 countries to define the genome of the domestic horse: https://horsegenomeworkshop.com/
International consortium of university researchers and representatives of equine organisations with the aim of identifying genetic markers associated with disease and performance traits in horses (HORSEGENE).
A global initiative to understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases by developing a database of tissue-specific gene expression and regulation in the horse.