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.
Elouise Bacon
PhD Student
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.
Jade-Lily Jonovski
Honours Student
Jade-Lily is using whole genome sequence data to investigate if pigmentation variants are associated with objective measures of sedation in horses.
Isabella Wells
Honours Student
Isabella is using whole genome sequence data to identify causal variants for polydactyly in horses.
DVM3 Students
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.
Rachel Heape
Honours II (2024)
Rachel's Honours work explored the accuracy of high-density and medium-density genotyping arrays for use in Australian wild horse management.
Amelia Stewart
Honours II (2024)
Amelia explored the ancestry of Timor ponies in Australia.
Bridgette May
Honours I (2024)
Bridgette investigated inbreeding levels in brumbies to determine if current levels warrant concern.
Caitlin Brown
Honours I (2023)
Caitlin used high density genotyping array data to identify causal variants for ventricular septal defect in Arabian horses.
Phoebe Kee
Honours I (2023)
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)
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)
Elouise used whole genome sequence data to investigate if pigmentation variants are associated with variation in opioid analgesic effectiveness in horses.
Kali Notaras
Honours II (2022)
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.
Solenn Bouriel
Internship Student
(2024-L'Institut Agro Dijon)
Solenn's internship project took a deep dive into Australian Heritage brumby ancestry and explored links between brumbies and Iberian Peninsula breeds.
Doris Fröhlich
Internship Student
(2023-FH Campus Wien)
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 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/
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.