Rate My Professor Michelle Thunders

Dr Michelle Thunders is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Otago, Wellington, within the Division of Health Sciences. She earned her BSc (Hons) and PhD in Human Genetics from University College London. Her career spans various academic institutions in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, where she has established herself as a researcher in molecular pathology and genetics. Thunders is committed to inclusive genetics education, emphasizing accessible, actionable, and meaningful knowledge for all. She contributes to the Centre for Translational Research at the University of Otago and currently co-supervises three PhD students. In leadership roles, she serves as Chair of the Genetics Mātai Ira Governance Board, overseeing Genetics Otago and Genetics Teaching programmes.

Thunders' research centers on analyzing RNA and DNA sequencing data to understand health, risk, and disease pathogenesis at the molecular level. Her interests include epigenomic biomarkers, particularly DNA methylation, and the legacy effects of physical and psychological stressors across generations, with implications for disease heritability, health equity, and risk assessment. She utilizes the earthworm as a model organism and has developed a research network with PhD students and collaborators at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Key expertise areas encompass cancer genetic research, human genetics and health, and epigenomic biomarkers for assessing human health and disease. Notable publications include 'A Delphi consensus exercise to determine a genetics and genomics curriculum for primary medical degree in Aotearoa New Zealand' (2023, with Kenwright et al.), 'Next level health: A holistic health and wellbeing program to empower New Zealand women' (2023, with Chinn et al.), 'Chromosomal instability and its effect on cell lines' (2023, with He et al.), 'Discovery and mechanism of action of a novel antimicrobial peptide from an earthworm' (2023, with Wu et al.), and 'Effect of arsenite on the proteome of earthworms Eisenia fetida' (2023, with Wang et al.). Earlier works feature the 'Gene of the month' series, such as TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2) (2020) and DICER1: ruler and controller (2021), both with Delahunt.