Dr Oswald Matika

Research Fellow

Biography

Background

Since joining the Roslin Institute in 2004, I have studied genetic complex traits, both in disease and production traits across many livestock species and companion animals. I have extensive experience in dissecting the mechanisms that underlie complex traits using quantitative genetics and genomic tools, such as molecular marker data, in association studies and population genetics. My key successes include: identifying a stop codon mutation that affects leg weakness in piglets; a deletion responsible for achondroplasia in Cheviot sheep; wool shedding in sheep; nematode resistance in sheep; tick resistance in cattle; and carcass traits in sheep. My other projects include disease studies in pigs, horses, dogs, cattle, goats, fish, oysters and chickens. I have projects in collaboration with scientists across the world e.g. India, Canada, USA, Brazil, South Africa, France and Zimbabwe. I have been a section Editor for the British Poultry Science Journal since 2012.

Before joining the Roslin institute, I worked for 18 years on internal parasites in indigenous small ruminants (sheep and goats) at Matopos Research Station in Zimbabwe. This research was also collaborative with international institutes (ILRI, Kenya and Univ of Bloemfontein, South Africa).  I participated in FAO Southern African regional (SADC) characterisation of Livestock genetic resources.

In my spare time, I am a keen gardener. On my allotment, I grow a variety of crops that include courgettes, asparagus, Welsh onions, Brassicas, artichokes and fruit (raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries and gooseberries). I have also taken the task of planting and maintaining a community wild flower garden for bees and butterflies.

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