Ko Moumoukai, Whakapunake nga maunga Ko Te Wairoa hōpupu hōngenge mātangirau, Kopuawhara, nga Nuhaka nga awa Ko Kahungunu, Tākitimu, Te Rākātō nga marae Ko Tākitimu, Kurahaupo nga waka Ko Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, nga iwi Ko Ngāi Te Rakatō, Ngāi Te Apatu, Te Whare Rau o Te Tahinga nga hapū
Ko au he Ahorangi Tuarua i Te Whare Wānanga o Otākou. Ko tohoku mahi nei: hei whakaake te ora o nga Māori katoa mai nga mahi ira putaiaio.
I am a quantitative geneticist and bioethicist based at the University of Otāgo in Aotearoa/New Zealand. I have worked at the interface of Māori bioethics and gene technologies, where I have developed tikanga (Māori ethics)-based frameworks and guidelines for researchers. I also undertake research on the genetics of inherited conditions in our people. Previously I have worked in the areas of genetics of tree species and statistical genetics method development. I also teach Māori-related content in graduate and undergraduate science courses, and run education programmes for Māori tauira (students) and pākeke (adults) on genomics and genetics that are taught in Māori learning environments. In the Department of Mathematics and Statistics I established and lead the post graduate Applied Sciences (Quantitative Genetics) programme.
For further information about my research and teaching, see:
In my role as Kaikōkiri Māori, responsibilities include overseeing all Māori content taught in the Genetics Teaching Programme to ensure it is relevant and aligns with tikanga Māori, as well as ensuring graduate attributes are achieved regarding requisite cultural knowledge and capabilities.
Off-campus, I also teach genetics and genomics related content in Māori learning environments, primarily the Summer Internship of indigenous peoples in Genomics Aotearoa (SING Aotearoa), as well as a genetics/genomics module in the University of Otago Science Wānanga.
Research interests
I have a broad range of research interests.
Past research activities include
Impacts of genetic improvement on forest management practices
Forest tree genomics and development of genomic tools for tree breeding particularly radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don)
Linkage mapping of forest trees and other plant species.
Genetic basis for disease resistance in forest tree species
Ongoing interests include
Development and application of statistical methods for analyses of genomic information
Development and application of tikanga and Mātauranga Māori in genomic and genetic sciences
Culturally informed study design and data sovereignty, particularly 'omic data
Current research activities include
Culturally informed methods for precision medicine
Genomic resource development for enhancing Māori and Pacific health
Applications of genetic information in health
Publications
Moors, J., Krishnan, M., Sumpter, N., Takei, R., Bixley, M., Cadzow, M., Major, T. J., Phipps Green, A., Topless, R., Merriman, M., Rutledge, M., Morgan, B., … Stamp, L., Taumoepeau, M., … Wilcox, P., … McCormick, S., … Merriman, T. R., & Leask, M. (2023). A Polynesian-specific missense CETP variant alters the lipid profile. Human Genetics & Genomic Advances, 4, 100204. doi: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100204
Journal - Research Article
Toomata, Z., Leask, M., Krishnan, M., Cadzow, M., Dalbeth, N., Stamp, L. K., … Merriman, T., Wilcox, P., … Murphy, R. (2023). Genetic testing for misclassified monogenic diabetes in Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand with early-onset type 2 diabetes. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1174699. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1174699
Journal - Research Article
Watson, H., Huh, J. W., Rye, C., Print, C., Robertson, S., Qasim, M., Wilcox, P., Te Aika, B., … Curran, B. (2023). Rakeiora a pathfinder for genomic medicine: Building a prototype Genomics Platform. Proceedings of the eResearch NZ Conference. (pp. 76). Retrieved from www.eresearchnz2023.org.nz
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wilcox, P. (2023). Aotearoa/New Zealand Māori perceptions of genomic technologies and technologist: What does this mean for environmental DNA research and applications? [Keynote]. Proceedings of the 1st Australian & New Zealand Environmental DNA (eDNA) Conference: Innovation & Application. Retrieved from https://ednaconference.com.au
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lee, K., Vakili, S., Burden, H. J., Adams, S., Smith, G. C., Kulatea, B., Wright-McNaughton, M., Sword, D., … King, F., Wilcox, P., Merriman, T. R., Krebs, J. D., Hall, R. M., Murphy, R., Merry, T. L., & Shepherd, P. R. (2022). The minor allele of the CREBRF rs373863828 p.R457Q coding variant is associated with reduced levels of myostatin in males: Implications for body composition. Molecular Metabolism, 59, 101464. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101464
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, J. S., Slavov, G. T., Butler, J. B., Frickey, T., Graham, N. J., Klápště, J., … Wilcox, P., & Dungey, H. S. (2022). High density linkage maps, genetic architecture, and genomic prediction of growth and wood properties in Pinus radiata. BMC Genomics, 23(1), 731. doi: 10.1186/s12864-022-08950-6
Journal - Research Article
Robertson, S., Wilcox, P., Print, C., Te Aika, B. I., Curran, B., Macartney-Coxson, D., … Haereroa, T. (2022). Rakeiora: A pathfinder for genomic medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand [Keynote]. Proceedings of the eResearch NZ Conference. (pp. 11). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wilcox, P. (2022). Tikanga and Mātauranga Māori in genetics education and research: What, why and how. Proceedings of the Genetics Otago (GO) Annual Symposium. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/go
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Filoche, S., Stubbe, M. H., Grainger, R., Robson, B., Paringatai, K., Wilcox, P., Jefferies, R., & Dowell, A. (2021). How is family health history discussed in routine primary healthcare? A qualitative study of archived family doctor consultations. BMJ Open, 11(10), e049058. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049058
Journal - Research Article
Ambler, J., Diallo, A. A., Dearden, P. K., Wilcox, P., Hudson, M., & Tiffin, N. (2021). Including digital sequence data in the Nagoya Protocol can promote data sharing. Trends in Biotechnology, 39(2), 116-125. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.06.009
Journal - Research Other
Emde, A.-K., Phipps-Green, A., Cadzow, M., Gallagher, C. S., Major, T. J., Merriman, M. E., Topless, R. K., Takei, R., Dalbeth, N., … Stamp, L. K., … Wilcox, P. L., … Merriman, T. R., & Castel, S. E. (2021). Mid-pass whole genome sequencing enables biomedical genetic studies of diverse populations. BMC Genomics, 22, 666. doi: 10.1186/s12864-021-07949-9
Journal - Research Article
Topless, R. K. G., Major, T. J., Florez, J. C., Hirschhorn, J. N., Cadzow, M., Dalbeth, N., Stamp, L. K., Wilcox, P. L., … Merriman, T. R. (2021). The comparative effect of exposure to various risk factors on the risk of hyperuricaemia: Diet has a weak causal effect. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 23(1), 75. doi: 10.1186/s13075-021-02444-8
Journal - Research Article
Caron, N. R., Chongo, M., Hudson, M., Arbour, L., Wasserman, W. W., Robertson, S., … Wilcox, P. (2020). Indigenous genomic databases: Pragmatic considerations and cultural contexts. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 111. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00111
Journal - Research Other
D'Angelo, C. S., Hermes, A., McMaster, C. R., Prichep, E., Richer, É., van der Westhuizen, F. H., … Wilcox, P., … Baynam, G. (2020). Barriers and considerations for diagnosing rare diseases in indigenous populations. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8, 579924. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.579924
Journal - Research Other
Hudson, M., Garrison, N. A., Sterling, R., Caron, N. R., Fox, K., Yracheta, J., … Wilcox, P., … Dearden, P. K., … Russo Carroll, S. (2020). Rights, interests and expectations: Indigenous perspectives on unrestricted access to genomic data. Nature Reviews Genetics, 21, 377-384. doi: 10.1038/s41576-020-0228-x
Journal - Research Other
Chagné, D., Ryan, J., Saeed, M., Van Stijn, T., Brauning, R., Clarke, S., … Wilcox, P., … Lewis, D. (2019). A high density linkage map and quantitative trait loci for tree growth for New Zealand mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium). New Zealand Journal of Crop & Horticultural Science, 47(4), 261-272. doi: 10.1080/01140671.2018.1540437
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, M., Mead, A. T. P., Chagné, D., Roskruge, N., Morrison, S., Wilcox, P. L., & Allan, A. C. (2019). Indigenous perspectives and gene editing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology, 7, 70. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00070
Journal - Research Article
Li, Y., Klápště, J., Telfer, E., Wilcox, P., Graham, N., Macdonald, L., & Dungey, H. S. (2019). Genomic selection for non-key traits in radiata pine when the documented pedigree is corrected using DNA marker information. BMC Genomics, 20, 1026. doi: 10.1186/s12864-019-6420-8
Journal - Research Article
Telfer, E., Graham, N., Macdonald, L., Li, Y., Klápště, J., Resende, Jr, M., … Wilcox, P. (2019). A high-density exome capture genotype-by-sequencing panel for forestry breeding in Pinus radiata. PLoS ONE, 14(9), e0222640. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222640
Journal - Research Article
Bilton, T. P., Schofield, M. R., Black, M. A., Chagné, D., Wilcox, P. L., & Dodds, K. G. (2018). Accounting for errors in low coverage high-throughput sequencing data when constructing genetic maps using biparental outcrossed populations. Genetics, 209(1), 65-76. doi: 10.1534/genetics.117.300627
Journal - Research Article
Krishnan, M., Major, T. J., Topless, R. K., Dewes, O., Yu, L., Thompson, J. M. D., … Stamp, L. K., … Wilcox, P., Grattan, D., … Merriman, T. R. (2018). Discordant association of the CREBRF rs373863828 A allele with increased BMI and protection from type 2 diabetes in Māori and Pacific (Polynesian) people living in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Diabetologia, 61(7), 1603-1613. doi: 10.1007/s00125-018-4623-1
Journal - Research Article
Telfer, E., Graham, N., Macdonald, L., Sturrock, S., Wilcox, P., & Stanbra, L. (2018). Approaches to variant discovery for conifer transcriptome sequencing. PLoS ONE, 13(11), e0205835. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205835
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, M., Wilcox, P., Smith, B., Beaton, A., Milne, M., & Russell, K. (2018). (C)ELSI‐us: Reducing friction with indigenous communities in genomic research. American Anthropologist, 120(2), 330-332. doi: 10.1111/aman.13043
Journal - Research Other
Major, T. J., Krishnan, M., Topless, R. K., Dewes, O., Thompson, J., de Zoysa, J., Stamp, L. K., … Wilcox, P., Grattan, D., … Merriman, T. R. (2018). Re: "Widespread prevalence of a CREBRF variant among Māori and Pacific children is associated with weight and height in early childhood". International Journal of Obesity, 42, 1389-1391. doi: 10.1038/s41366-018-0025-1
Journal - Research Other
Merriman, T. R., & Wilcox, P. L. (2018). Cardio-metabolic disease genetic risk factors among Māori and Pacific Island people in Aotearoa New Zealand: Current state of knowledge and future directions. Annals of Human Biology, 45(3), 202-214. doi: 10.1080/03014460.2018.1461929
Journal - Research Other
Robertson, S. P., Harré Hindmarsh, J., Berry, S., Cameron, V. A., Cox, M. P., Dewes, O., … Matisoo-Smith, E., … Sika-Paotonu, D., … Merriman, T. R., … Wilcox, P. (2018). Genomic medicine must reduce, not compound, health inequities: The case for hauora-enhancing genomic resources for New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1480), 81-89. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Other
Beaton, A., Hudson, M., Milne, M., Port, R. V., Russell, K., Smith, B., … Wilcox, P., … Wihongi, H. (2017). Engaging Māori in biobanking and genomic research: A model for biobanks to guide culturally informed governance, operational, and community engagement activities. Genetics in Medicine, 19(3), 345-351. doi: 10.1038/gim.2016.111
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, M., Beaton, A., Milne, M., Port, W., Russell, K., Smith, B., … Wilcox, P. (2016). He Tangata Kei Tua: Guidelines for biobanking with Māori. Hamilton, New Zealand: Te Mata Hautū Taketake: Māori & Indigenous Governance Centre, 38p.
Authored Book - Research
Hudson, M., Beaton, A., Milne, M., Port, W., Russell, K., Smith, B., … Wilcox, P. (2016). Te Mata Ira: Guidelines for genomic research with Māori. Hamilton, New Zealand: Te Mata Hautū Taketake: Māori & Indigenous Governance Centre, 46p.
Authored Book - Research
Cadzow, M., Merriman, T. R., Boocock, J., Dalbeth, N., Stamp, L. K., Black, M. A., … Wilcox, P. L. (2016). Lack of direct evidence for natural selection at the candidate thrifty gene locus, PPARGC1A. BMC Medical Genetics, 17, 80. doi: 10.1186/s12881-016-0341-z
Journal - Research Article
Galla, S. J., Buckley, T. R., Elshire, R., Hale, M. L., Knapp, M., McCallum, J., … Wilcox, P., & Steeves, T. E. (2016). Building strong relationships between conservation genetics and primary industry leads to mutually beneficial genomic advances. Molecular Ecology, 25(21), 5267-5281. doi: 10.1111/mec.13837
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, M., Southey, K., Uerata, L., Beaton, A., Milne, M., Russell, K., … Wilcox, P., … Port, W. (2016). Key informant views on biobanking and genomic research with Māori. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1447), 29-42. Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Article
Li, Y., Wilcox, P., Telfer, E., Graham, N., & Stanbra, L. (2016). Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with form traits in three New Zealand populations of radiata pine in the presence of genotype by environment interactions. Tree Genetics & Genomes, 12, 63. doi: 10.1007/s11295-016-1019-6
Journal - Research Article
Marshall, C. W., Chagné, D., Deusch, O., Gruenheit, N., McCallum, J., Bergin, D., … Wilcox, P. L. (2015). A DNA-based diagnostic for differentiating among New Zealand endemic Podocarpus. Tree Genetics & Genomes, 11, 69. doi: 10.1007/s11295-015-0888-4
Journal - Research Article
Wilcox, P. L., & Macdonald, L. J. (2015). New Zealand forestry enters the genomics era: Towards a genome sequence of radiata pine. New Zealand Journal of Forestry, 60(1), 17-22.
Journal - Research Article
Cadzow, M., Boocock, J., Nguyen, H. T., Wilcox, P., Merriman, T. R., & Black, M. A. (2014). A bioinformatics workflow for detecting signatures of selection in genomic data. Frontiers in Genetics, 5, 293. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00293
Journal - Research Article