Dr Gill Murray-Dickson

Dr Gill Murray-Dickson

Biobank Research Fellow

Specific responsibility: Development of the Edinburgh Biobank hub across BBSRC funded CRYOARKS and European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) biobank initiatives.

Research interests/expertise: Conservation genetic and genomic analysis; Development of DNA-based laboratory protocols for informing population conservation management; DNA/tissue sample storage and archive.

E: g.murraydickson@nms.ac.uk

Gill Murray-Dickson is a Biobank Research Fellow with the BBSRC funded CryoArks initiative.

Dr Murray-Dickson has a background in research and the application of population genetic analysis to inform conservation management of rare and endangered species.

She completed her PhD at the University of Aberdeen in 2011, examining population genetic structure of neutral and adaptive DNA markers in the palmate newt. She later worked at the RZSS WildGenes laboratory, where she collaborated closely with members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) community.

She has applied genetic and genomic tools to evaluate phylogeographic and population structure, hybrid status, population size, diet content, and environmental DNA viability; developing informative and transferable DNA-based assays for a wide range of species and to facilitate capacity building in collaborating countries. Working alongside government agencies, conservation charities, zoos and academic professionals, she has managed conservation genetic research for reticulated pythons, Scottish capercaillie, Malayan peacock pheasants, Ibis, Grey partridge, native invertebrate species, tigers, tortoise, and antelope species, among others.

Now based at the National Museums Collection Centre, Gill is working as a Biobank Research Fellow with the BBSRC funded CryoArks initiative. She is coordinating biobanking activities at NMS in conjunction with CryoArks partners and the EAZA biobank UK hub at RZSS Edinburgh zoo.

Her responsibilities include:

• Establishment of biobank infrastructure and documentation
• Curation of samples and data submitted to the hubs
• Provision of end-user support and demonstrating research use of biobank resources
• Developing education and awareness about biobanks and promoting the CryoArks/EAZA biobank initiatives.