Ang (Angela) McGaughran

One week left to apply for this (applications due Sunday 15 March NZST)!!

Whoop!

Potential Drivers of Successful Biocontrol: A Perspective on Parasitoids Parasitoids are central to classical biological control, yet predicting their long-term effectiveness post release remains challenging. In Aotearoa New Zealand, three Microctonus (Hymenoptera: Bracon...

📢 Publication Alert – 2nd Paper from My PhD!

I’m excited to share my recent publication in the New Zealand Journal of Zoology 🎉

Paper link: rsnz.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

@angmcgaughran.bsky.social

#Biocontrol #Genomics #Parasitoids #NewZealand #Transcriptomics #Microbiome

Whoop!

Come work with us!

Please RT :)

The University of Waikato is hiring a Lecturer in Ecology and Evolution! It's 3-yrs fixed term (with extension to 4 yrs if funding allows) with teaching, research, and service. We're especially keen on someone who works with invasive species!

Apply: shorturl.at/W66Xy

PD: shorturl.at/Ucevh

Missing or Mis‐Telling the Story? Trade‐Offs for Restriction‐Site Associated Compared to Whole Genome Sequencing Researchers must navigate several trade-offs when deciding which population sequencing method to use. The decision between reduced representation approaches and whole genome sequencing (WGS) impacts ...

Now out in ME: dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec....
Empirical comparison of WGS and RADseq selection scans shows missed signals and false outliers in RADseq selection scans resulting from population specific allelic dropout @katarinastuart.bsky.social @lee-rollins.bsky.social @annasanture.bsky.social

Using Genomic Data to Infer Evolutionary Processes in the Asexual Parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides In this study, we used whole-genome resequencing to investigate spatial and temporal genomic variation in the Irish strain of the asexual (thelytokous) parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides, which was ...

🚨 Publication Alert! 🚨

Curious about how thelytokous (asexual) reproduction shapes genetic diversity in a parasitoid?

My first PhD paper is now out, where we explore this fascinating system through a genomic lens.

📄 Paper link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

@angmcgaughran.bsky.social

Thank you ☺️

Picture of the Invasomics Lab team after our Xmas lunch

I’d also like to champion my lab group – past, present, future. Whether decoding invasion success or the other cool science we do, you’ve all helped build the Invasomics lab – you are the Invasomics lab! You inspire me daily and I’m looking forward to more sciencing with you all in 2026/beyond!

Ang McGaughran 2025: Dr Ang McGaughran of Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato – the University of Waikato will investigate how we can better predict the invasive potential of pest species

I am beyond thrilled to be a successful recipient of the Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship – what a way to round off 2025!

I would like to thank my wonderful network of collaborators in NZ and around the world for their support and contributions to my research over the years.

Here is the publication link for those who want a closer look: dx.doi.org/10.1002/edn3...

Such a fun study with awesome collaborators! Read the news release ahead of the paper on how fake webs yielded real eDNA hits. Happy Halloween 👻

Also excited to be chatting about this tonight on www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro... - around 8.05/8.10pm if you're keen to tune in 🕸️🕸️🕸️

Spiders inspired biologists to create artificial webs to capture airborne DNA for biodiversity monitoring Natural spiderwebs are good at capturing DNA from the environment, but artificial webs are cheap and provide better control – without harm to spiders.

A Conversation piece on our (@manpreetkdhami.bsky.social @sbirdy.bsky.social) quirky fake spiderweb research for eDNA biomonitoring, just out in time for Halloween. Paper forthcoming!

theconversation.com/spiders-insp...

NZ's govt has announced reforms to science funding

just one line about basic science in there: "Discovery-led science & research will continue to be funded. This will sit outside the pillars & is essential for maintaining vibrant curiosity-driven science system"

yea mate seems like a real priority

The courtship display of Apotropina ornatipennis (Diptera: Chloropidae) from Australia YouTube video by Nathan

New preprint!

Courtship choreography is stabilised among genetically isolated populations

Check out the mesmerising courtship display of Apotropina ornatipennis (Diptera: Chloropidae)

doi.org/10.1101/2025...

with @bioblake.bsky.social, @angmcgaughran.bsky.social, @thekeithing.bsky.social, et al

Today we’ve kicked off the Invasion Genomics course with @angmcgaughran.bsky.social

Pre-recorded lectures, hands-on tutorials, and Slack support make it easy for participants from all time zones to dive in and learn at their own pace. 🧬💻

INVASION GENOMICS IN R 8th, 10th and 11th September 2025

For the first time, our course goes fully offline with @angmcgaughran.bsky.social ! 🎉

🎥 Recorded lectures
📄 Annotated hands-on scripts
💬 1 week of Slack support

Designed for a global audience and flexible learning 🌍✨

If interested: www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...

Our other fantastic sponsers include @wilderlab.bsky.social, @geneticsaus.bsky.social and Genomics Aotearoa!!

Thanks very much to our new sponsor, @sequench.bsky.social, who will be joining us at the upcoming NZ Molecular Ecology meeting to talk about all things eDNA!

More details here: nzmolecol5.wixsite.com/nz-molecular...

Excited for this!

Yes! On behalf of the organising committee, we look forward to welcoming you to Raglan in November ☺️

We’ve got an exciting line-up of online courses in September with amazing instructors
@oskolkov.bsky.social @angmcgaughran.bsky.social @cegamorim.bsky.social @arunsethuraman.bsky.social @passdan.bsky.social @amandatron89.bsky.social @jbyoder.org @colincarlson.bsky.social @ambarbosa.bsky.social

📣 New paper! 📣

We summarise the outputs of last year's @sednasociety.bsky.social Airborne eDNA Workshop & chart a path for airborne eDNA as a transformative tool for #biodiversity, #biosecurity & #conservation.

🔗 tinyurl.com/4a8vb6ja

#eDNA #airDNA #SeDNAS

Moa "de-extinction" plans announced - Expert Reaction An overseas company has announced plans to "bring back" the South Island giant moa. Colossal Biosciences, working with Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Canterbury Museum, says it expects to "resurrect" t...

I have serious concerns about Colossal Biosciences, Canterbury Museum & Ngāi Tahu Research Centre pursuing moa de-extinction, incl whether informed widespread engagement w/ Ngāi Tahu rūnanga & South Island iwi was done (many are against de-extinction) www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/07/09/m... 1/3

INVASION GENOMICS IN R 8th, 10th and 11th September 2025

🚨 New Format. Global Access. 🌍

Are you ready to take your skills in invasion genomics to the next level—wherever you are in the world?

💡 Explore how genomics can help decode the adaptation & environmental responses of invasive species with @angmcgaughran.bsky.social
shorturl.at/m9T9L

Genetics Society of AustralAsia Conference 2025 The Genetics Society of AustralAsia Conference 2025 will be held in Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland 7-10 July 2025. The GSA 2025 Local Organising Committee is excited to welcome you. For general enquiries ...

Reminder: early bird registration for 🧬GSA 2025🧬 closes on the 11th of May!

www.gsa-2025.com

Can attest that this will be a great team to work with 😍

Genomic and genetic insights into Mendel’s pea genes - Nature Characterization of the genetic architecture underlying the 7 pairs of contrasting traits studied by Mendel and the over 70 additional agronomic traits in pea (Pisum sativum) reveals their m...

New genomic & genetic insights into Mendel’s pea genes, including previously uncharacterised alleles

159 years after Mendel published his work, this is a real delight (especially for a geneticist)

🧪
@nature.com

www.nature.com/articles/s41...