top of page

 Dr Brandon D Velie

Pic_Velie.jpg

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.

Elouise Bacon

PhD Student

Pic.jpg

Elouise's PhD work combines state-of-the-art genomic technologies (whole-genome scans, next-generation sequencing, and advanced bioinformatics) with deep knowledge on the physiology of the horse to identify genetic variants associated with analgesics sensitivity in horses, further opening the door to the application of precision medicine in equids.

Bridgette May

Honours Student

Pic.jpeg

Bridgette is investigating inbreeding levels in brumbies to determine if current levels warrant concern.

Rachel Heape

Honours Student

Pic.jpg

Rachel's Honours work explores the accuracy of high-density and medium-density genotyping arrays for use in wild horse management in Australia.

Amelia Stewart

Honours Student

Amelia Stewart

Amelia is exploring the ancestry of Timor ponies in Australia.

DVM3 Students

Group Alumni

Group Alumni

Dr Maria Rosengren

PhD (2022)

[SLU]

Picture2_MariaRosengren.jpg

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).

Evelyn Todd.jpg

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.

Caitlin Brown

Honours I (2023)

Pic.jpg

Caitlin used high density genotyping array data to identify causal variants for ventricular septal defect in Arabian horses.

Phoebe Kee

Honours I (2023)

IMG_9946.jpg

Phoebe investigated ways to improve veterinary management of racehorses pre- and post-racing through real-time monitoring of cardiorespiratory biometrics.

Karen Kwang

Honours I (2023)

Pic.jpeg

Karen investigated play behaviours in young Thoroughbreds and explored potential links between these developmental behaviours and performance.

Kathryn Nolan

Honours I (2023)

Kathryn utilised pedigree and breeding records to investigate maternal effects in racing Thoroughbreds.

Elouise Bacon

Honours I (2022)

Picture.jpg

Elouise used whole genome sequence data to investigate if pigmentation variants are associated with variation in opioid analgesic effectiveness in horses.

Kali Notaras

Honours

Picture.jpg

Kali utilized cutting-edge genetic and genomic methodologies to better understand the genetic diversity of brumbies in Australia.

Alize Drabbe

Honours I (2020)

Alize Drabbe

Alize's project explored the genes underlying osteochondrosis in Belgian Warmblood horses.

IMG_1558_edited.jpg

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.

Doris Fröhlich

Internship Student

(2023-FH Campus Wien)

Pic.jpg

Doris was a visiting student from Austria working on a project exploring inbreeding levels in Australian Timor ponies.

Lillian Hellmann

Honours Student (2020)

Marie Fontanel

Internship Student

(2020-Agrosup Dijon)

Marie Fontanel

Marie was a visiting student from France working on a project exploring the genetics underpinning gallop and endurance racing performance in Arabian horses.

DVM3 Students

Research Placement Students

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/

logo_horsegene_black_transparant.png

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).

FAANG.jpg

A global initiative to understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases by developing a database of tissue-specific gene expression and regulation in the horse.

bottom of page