Finding Nessie: Communicating Genetics with Professor Neil Gemmell

You’ve heard about DNA... but what about eDNA? From tracking invasive species to cryptozoology, Professor Neil Gemmell (Geneticist, University of Otago) has explored the science of DNA throughout his academic career. Join Masters student Rae as she picks Neil’s brain on sex-changing fish (spoiler alert: the world is not ready for a Finding Nemo re-make); the importance of building trust between scientific and local and indigenous communities; and how Neil's children inspired a search for the Loch Ness Monster, an unexpected exercise in science communication.

“We have to find ways to communicate our research before we start it, while we're doing it and then after we've done...What do we want to do and why? How and who is going to benefit from it? How is this actually improving society? I think it's a great privilege to do what we do.”

- Professor Neil Gemmell 

Episode links:

• Gemmell Lab, University of Otago

• What we learn from a fish that can change sex in just 10 days

• ⁠The Loch Ness Monster project ⁠

• Loch Ness Monster may be a giant eel, say scientists

• Predator Free 2050⁠⁠

This episode was brought to you by: - Episode Host: Rae Kumar  

- Special Guest: Professor Neil Gemmell

- Produced by:  Emma Gill, Kate Holmes

- Audio editing: Camila Pardo Uribe

- Research: Felice Ng, Kate Holmes, Camila Pardo Uribe, Kelly Hopkinson, Emma Gill

- Show notes: Camila Pardo Uribe, Felice Ng, Emma Gill

- Sponsored by UWA Grand Challenges: Make A Difference Impact Grant

Follow The SciComm Collective on ⁠Instagram  and online at www.thescicommcollective.com

Keywords:

Genetics, Science Communication, Sex-Changing Fish, University Of Otago, New Zealand, Loch Ness Monster, Environmental DNA, Citizen Science, Indigenous Collaboration, Predator Control, Public Engagement, Genetic Technologies, Cultural Similarities, Storytelling, Marine Biology, Biodiversity, Research Collaboration, Science Education, Community Trust