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, OMIA database: OMIA:002161-9823: Leg weakness, MSTN-related in Sus scrofa (pig) - OMIA - Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals ; a deletion responsible for achondroplasia in Cheviot sheep, OMIA:002693-9940: Achondroplasia, PRICKLE1-related in Ovis aries (sheep) - OMIA - Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals ; 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 joined British Poultry Science journal as a section editor in 2012  up to 2023 when I became a Joint Editor for the same journal.

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.

Qualifications

PgCAP   University of Edinburgh,  Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice                                                                                    2017

PhD     University of Free State, South Africa,  Animal Breeding                                                                                                                           2002

MSc     Aberdeen University, UK ,  Animal Production                                                                                                                                               1989

BTS      Les Vaseix, Limoges, France ,  Animal Production                                                                                                                                        1984

Cert     Centre d’Enseignement Zootechnique, Rambouillet, France,  certificat D’Aptitudes aux fonctions d’Inseminateur   1984

(certificate in artificial insemination, Cattle)

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