Capability growth continues: Genomics Aotearoa and NeSI set to reach 1,000 learners in 2022

With this milestone in sight, the leaders of this training initiative consider what lessons have been learned along the way and what the future of genomics training in New Zealand looks like. Specifically, Dinindu Senanayake and Ngoni Faya will talk about the successes and challenges of training in 2021 and beyond including:

● Maintaining momentum during extended bouts of online learning

● The shift to delivering advanced skills workshops, and

● What training initiatives NeSI and Genomics Aotearoa will be focused on in 2022

Dini is an Applications Support Specialist (High Performance Computing) at NeSI with a particular interest in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. He joined NeSI following more than a half a decade of research experience gained in the field of Cancer Genetics, Chemical Genetics and Bioinformatics/Computational Biology.

Ngoni is Genomics Aotearoa’s Training Coordinator, tasked with supporting and building capacity and capability in bioinformatics for New Zealand. He is mainly involved in the development and delivering of Genomics workshops throughout the country in partnership with NeSI and Otago Carpentries. On the research front, Ngoni is working on the Clinical Diagnostic Project under Prof. Stephen Robertson. His interests are in gene regulation and functional studies using both bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques.