معرفی
Dr. Matthew Hegarty is a researcher at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), part of the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University. He serves as Scheme Coordinator for Biology programs and Module Coordinator for courses in Wildlife Forensics, Applied Molecular Biology, and Animal Breeding. He also oversees the IBERS Translational Genomics Facility, supporting next-generation sequencing and genotyping across research projects.
His research focuses on genomics, particularly how genetic and transcriptomic variation influences phenotypic traits in plants and animals. Key areas include hybridisation, polyploidy, and genetic diversity, with applications in crop and livestock improvement. His work supports plant breeding and animal research programs, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.
His recent publications highlight work on cattle genetics, pearl millet nutrition, grass pollen and human health, and stress responses in pasture grasses. These span genomics, bioinformatics, conservation, and environmental health, showing a strong trend toward applied agricultural and ecological genomics using high-throughput technologies.
He leads and collaborates on externally funded research projects with organisations such as BBSRC, NERC, and charitable trusts, focusing on genomic selection in sheep, grassland systems, and crop improvement. He also contributes to public engagement through media appearances and presentations to agricultural societies.
Dr. Hegarty supervises postgraduate researchers, including PhD student Kardelen Temiz. He is actively involved in academic leadership as DLS Employability Coordinator and Academic Champion for Enterprise, demonstrating a commitment to student development and translational research.
