Aine Halpin

CONTACT DETAILS:

E-mail : aihalpin[AT] tcd [dot] ie
Tel : +353-(0)1-896-1265
Fax : +353-(0)1-679-8558

MODERN DNA LABORATORY ADDRESS:

Molecular Population Genetics
Smurfit Institute of Genetics
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

ANCIENT DNA LABORATORY ADDRESS (for archaeological samples):

Archaeological Genetics
Smurfit Institute of Genetics
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

RESEARCH INTEREST:

The genetic thread of sheep ancestry: The genetic threads of sheep ancestry have been woven by a number of factors, human innovation being one such factor. There are three broad episodes of human innovation which have impacted the ancestry of sheep. These are; domestication (~11,000 ya), the use of secondary animal products such as wool and milk (~6,000 ya), and the development of breeds. These key episodes are loosely defined in both time and space. By using whole genome data and new analysis methods, human intervention and selection of gene traits can be identified and tracked. This could potentially uncover the time and location of the transformative episodes of human innovation. The genetic threads of cattle and goats are also of interest to me.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

2021- Present: PhD candidate, Bradley lab

2020-2021: M.Sc. Biomedical Genomics, NUI Galway

2016-2020: B.A. Genetics, Trinity College Dublin. Thesis title: “Targeted capture and bioinformatic analysis of Ancient Sheep DNA”
Supervisor: Dan Bradley