Neil Gemmell

Gemmell received his education at Taita College in Lower Hutt; he graduated from the school as dux in 1984. He was inspired by his science teacher, Saty Candasamy, to pursue this interest and initially aimed to study zoology. When he discovered that zoology was too popular with fellow graduates, he changed his focus to "something less popular" for better career opportunities. Gemmell went to Victoria University of Wellington, from which he graduated in biochemistry and genetics.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Kate |title=Taita College old boy couldn't find Loch Ness monster, reveals secrets of tuatara instead |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/122383115/taita-college-old-boy-couldnt-find-loch-ness-monster-reveals-secrets-of-tuatara-instead |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=Stuff |date=11 August 2020}} In 1988, he went to La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, where he obtained a PhD in 1994. The title of his thesis was Population and evolutionary investigations in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) : a molecular approach.{{cite web |last1=Gemmell |first1=N. J. |last2=La Trobe University |title=Population and evolutionary investigations in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) : a molecular approach |url= https://search.lib.latrobe.edu.au/permalink/f/ns71rj/Almalu21193791160002146 |access-date=31 January 2021 |date=1994}}

In 1994, Gemmell went to England for postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge (1994–1997) and the University of Leicester (1997 – February 1998). In February 1998, he took a position with the University of Canterbury, where he remained until 2008. That year, he moved to a position at the University of Otago where he has remained since.{{cite web |title=Professor Neil Gemmell |url=https://www.otago.ac.nz/zebrafish/research/neilgemmell.html |publisher=University of Otago |access-date=31 January 2021}} Since 2011, Gemmell has led a team that sequenced the tuatara genome. The scientific interest in the tuatara genome is high given the longevity of the species (tuatara can live for 100 years) and its low susceptibility to diseases. The findings were published in the science journal Nature in August 2020.{{cite journal |last1=Gemmell |first1=Neil J. |title=The tuatara genome reveals ancient features of amniote evolution |journal=Nature |date=5 August 2020 |volume=584 |issue=7821 |pages=403–409 |doi=10.1038/s41586-020-2561-9 |pmid=32760000 |pmc=7116210 |url= }}{{cite news |title=Scientists unlock genetic makeup of tuatara |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/422892/scientists-unlock-genetic-makeup-of-tuatara |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=6 August 2020}}

In 2018, Gemmell was team leader for an expedition to sample environmental DNA (eDNA) at Loch Ness. The research goal was to prove the existence, or otherwise, of the Loch Ness Monster and given that the creature's existence has been debated since the 1930s, their work created much attention. The overall objective was to show the public how science works. The findings were revealed in September 2019 and the team did not find any eDNA that they did not expect (i.e. there was no evidence for a reptilian monster). There was significant DNA of eels and the research team concluded that the sightings are likely those of eels that have grown to a large size. Gemmell concluded by stating that "there may well be a Loch Ness monster, we don't know, we didn't find it."{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Hannah |title=Nessie, is that you? Kiwi scientist says 'absolutely not', but it could be a huge eel |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/115578873/nessie-is-that-you-kiwi-scientist-set-to-reveal-his-findings-in-loch-ness-monster-search |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=Stuff |date=5 September 2019}}

During 2020, Gemmell advocated the implementation of a wastewater monitoring system to detect ribonucleic acid (RNA) as a method to identify infections with COVID-19. Based on overseas research, Gemmell estimates that new cases may be detected two to three days faster than using standard methods. He cited the case of Arizona State University, where a wastewater sample from a residential college with 300 individuals showed positive results. When the population got tested, two asymptomatic cases were detected which may have caused an outbreak without the wastewater tests in place.{{cite news |last1=Peacock |first1=Colin |title=Hunting for Covid-19 in the nation's wastewater |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018766791/hunting-for-covid-19-in-the-nation-s-wastewater |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=4 October 2020}} The New Zealand wastewater research is led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR).{{cite news |last1=Gibb |first1=John |title=Test wastewater for Covid-19 to find carriers, prof advises |url= https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/test-wastewater-covid-19-find-carriers-prof-advises |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=30 September 2020}}

In 2017, Gemmell was voted a fellow of the Linnean Society of London.{{cite web |title=2020 Hutton Medal: Understanding the biology of 'mother's curse', sex change in fish and the tuatara genome |url= https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/medals-and-awards/research-honours/2020-research-honours-aotearoa/2020-hutton-medal/ |publisher=Royal Society Te Apārangi |access-date=31 January 2021}} In December 2017, he was announced as one of six New Zealand scholars who received a Fulbright Scholarship for 2018.{{cite press release |author= |title=2018 Scholars Announced |url= https://www.fulbright.org.nz/news/2018-scholars-announced/ |location=Wellington |publisher=Fulbright New Zealand |date=20 December 2017 |access-date=31 January 2021}} Gemmell undertook research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on gene drive for pest control.{{cite web |title=University academics receive Fulbright Scholar awards |url= https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago672260.html |publisher=University of Otago |access-date=31 January 2021 |date=9 January 2018}} Gemmell received awards from the Genetics Society of AustralAsia (MJD White Medal – 2018){{cite web |title=Awards |url= https://genetics.org.au/awards/#MJD |publisher=Genetics Society of AustralAsia |access-date=31 January 2021}} and the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB Award for Research Excellence – 2019).{{cite web |title=NZSBMB Award for Research Excellence |url= https://www.nzsbmb.org/custom-science-award |publisher=NZSBMB |access-date=31 January 2021}}

In 2019, the University of Otago celebrated its 150th anniversary by creating seven Sesquicentennial Distinguished Chairs (Poutoko Taiea). These were awarded to the highest-achieving professors and Gemmell was awarded one of those positions.{{cite web |title=Seven inaugural Sesquicentennial Distinguished Chair appointments to mark 150th |url= https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/otago719249.html |publisher=University of Otago |access-date=31 January 2021 |date=1 October 2019}}

In November 2020, Gemmell was awarded the Hutton Medal, the oldest award bestowed by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. The society's citation said the award was "for fundamentally changing our understanding of animal ecology and evolution and driving the development of new approaches for conservation and management of the world's rarest species".{{cite news |title=Academic awarded Hutton Medal at ceremony in Christchurch |url= https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/academic-awarded-hutton-medal-ceremony-christchurch |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=13 November 2020}} Gemmell was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi in March 2021.{{Cite web|title=Researchers and scholars elected to Academy|url=https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/researchers-and-scholars-elected-to-academy/|access-date=2021-03-11|website=Royal Society Te Apārangi}}

Gemmell has written or contributed to four chapters in books:

• {{CiteQ|Q93184374}}
• {{CiteQ|Q38096393}}

The most highly cited or otherwise notable journal contributions are as follows:

• {{CiteQ|Q33292951}}
• {{CiteQ|Q33243475}}
• {{CiteQ|Q22122225}}
• {{CiteQ|Q27320153|doi-access=free}}
• {{CiteQ|Q31134857|doi-access=free}}
• {{CiteQ|Q50453651}}
• {{CiteQ|Q98222972}}
• {{CiteQ|Q36602868}}
• {{CiteQ|Q36479150}}
• {{CiteQ|Q33397132}}
• {{CiteQ|Q35222548}}
• {{CiteQ|Q34583957|doi-access=free}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Recipients of the Hutton Medal}}

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Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni

Category:La Trobe University alumni

Category:Academic staff of the University of Otago

Category:New Zealand geneticists

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Fellows of the Linnean Society of London

Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand