How do we support Māori students into science, and how do we support scientists needing to consult with iwi Māori in their research?
One way of developing indigenous understanding of genomics is the SING Aotearoa programme, supported by Genomics Aotearoa.
SING Aotearoa offers young New Zealanders a residential internship wānanga programme which provides knowledge and experience that includes managing biological samples and DNA in wet labs, computer analysis and biostatistics, and with simulation labs that cover cultural and ethical scenarios.
There has been significant advances genetics and genomics and an increasing focus on Māori populations and indigenous species. It is therefore important we understand enough about the technical, ethical and cultural issues to engage in robust discussions to ensure all research conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand can involve consultation with Iwi/Māori.
The SING Aotearoa programme allows development of understanding alongside some of New Zealand’s best researchers.
One of the SING Aotearoa interns found the 2023 programme gave her new perspectives both personally and professionally.
Baeli Spedding-Devereux (Ngāpuhi) is completing a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Otago, having gained First Class Honours in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Biochemistry.
She is studying pollen development, working with Associate Professor Lynette Brownfield who is using genetic and molecular approaches to understand key stages of male gametophyte (pollen) and sperm cell development in plants. Despite the importance of plant fertility for seed production and agricultural productivity, relatively little is known about the underlying molecular processes.
Baeli’s work is focusing on a particular transcription factor - DUO1 (transcription factors are proteins that regulate genes). DUO1 has an important role in regulating pollen development, but we do not know much about how is regulated.
One part of the project was looking into a new tool to use to study DUO1, the CRISPR/Cas13 system.
The knowledge gained from the studies may help in the future for New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry when we have a full understanding on how pollen development works.
She gained newfound knowledge from her week-long SING Aotearoa immersion.
“SING allows you to be part of the conversation - there was lab work and a good number of expert speakers but there are also opportunities to discuss what it means, what we can do as a group and time to talk and review our identify as individuals. It’s a really great opportunity to be present in an immersive environment. I felt I had a voice."
"I enjoyed being able to engage in new learning and new ways of looking at things to understand the Māori perspective on knowledge – where we have come from and about Mātauranga Māori. I realised New Zealand does better than other countries, but there’s still a lot to learn."
"Having grown up as a Pakeha and working in Otago, it was great to be around other Māori working in science – it can be isolating being Māori in this space. I’ve formed friend connections from being with those 17 other people that I won’t get elsewhere – I’m now part of a New Zealand-wide community."
"And I think also it has helped to set me up for the future. I love working with plant genetics rather than in health – I don’t know yet how this will influence new projects in my work going forward but new understanding on the Māori perspective is firmly in the back of my mind."
Find out more about Māori and Genomics here