OurDNA Symposium

About the event

This one-day event will cover topics at the intersection of technology, research, and community.

The program includes presentations, interactive workshops and panels on:

Developing meaningful genomic resources
Shifting practices in population genomics research
Advancing population genomics and the new OurDNA browser

Hear from our international plenary speaker, Professor John Novembre (University of Chicago) and our expert speakers and panellists:

A/Prof Azure Hermes with co-presenter and community partner Katrina Connolly
Prof Daniel MacArthur
Dr Emma Palmer
A/Prof Irene Gallego Romero
A/Prof Jodie Ingles
Nidia Raya Martinez
Dr Samantha Croy
A/Prof Stephanie Best

This is a free event, but places are limited. Please register now to confirm your attendance.

This event is brought to you by the Centre for Population Genomics. It is a satellite event of HGSA’s 48th Annual Scientific Meeting.

Have any questions? Check our FAQs below or reach out to us at ourdna-symposium@ourdna.org.au

Program

9:30am - 10:30am	Registration and morning tea
10:30am - 10:45am	Welcome to Country
10:45am - 11:00am	Opening remarks
	Professor Benjamin Kile Executive Director, Garvan Institute of Medical Research Dr Chris Richards OurDNA Program Lead, Centre for Population Genomics
11:00am - 12:00pm	International plenary
	Representing genetic ancestry in theory and practice Professor John Novembre, PhD Professor of Human Genetics, Committee on Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, The University of Chicago
12:00pm - 12:45pm	Advances in development and interpretation of meaningful genomic resources
	Does cardiovascular genetic testing benefit the population equally? Associate Professor Jodie Ingles Program Director of Genomics and Inherited Disease and Laboratory Head of Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research Lessons from building an atlas of immune cells in Indonesia Associate Professor Irene Gallego Romero Head of Human Genomics and Evolution, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research Genomics for all: pathways to close the equity gap in genomic health care through coproduction and partnerships Dr Elizabeth Emma Palmer Senior Clinical Lecturer, UNSW
12:45pm - 1:00pm	Q&A
1:00pm - 2:00pm	Lunch
2:00pm - 2:35pm	Participative research practices
	Making the implicit, explicit: mapping the implementation of OurDNA Associate Professor Stephanie Best Principal Research Fellow, Implementation Science, University of Melbourne From the ground up: Building ethical research with Mob Associate Professor Azure Hermes Deputy Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, Australian National University Katrina Connolly Yarrabah Community Partner, National Centre for Indigenous Genomics
2:35pm - 2:45pm	Q&A
2:45pm - 4:00pm	Population genomics research: Challenges, consultation, and best practices
	This session will explore recent advances in population genomics and introduce the tools and features available in the new OurDNA Browser. It will include discussion of key considerations in the development and use of the browser. The session will also discuss how community engagement has informed our approach to the OurDNA Browser. Professor Daniel MacArthur Director, Centre for Population Genomics Multicultural perspectives on open-access genomic data sharing: the OurDNA Browser Community Consultation Experience Dr Samantha Croy OurDNA Equity Advisor, Centre for Population Genomics Nidia Raya Martinez Senior Program Manager, Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative
4:00pm - 4:30pm	Afternoon tea
4:30pm - 5:25pm	Embedding inclusive research practices in genomics: What does success look like?
	Professor Daniel MacArthur Director, Centre for Population Genomics Associate Professor Azure Hermes Deputy Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, Australian National University Associate Professor Irene Gallego Romero Head of Human Genomics and Evolution, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research Dr Samantha Croy OurDNA Equity Advisor, Centre for Population Genomics Nidia Raya Martinez Senior Program Manager, Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative Professor John Novembre, PhD Professor of Human Genetics, Committee on Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, The University of Chicago
5:25pm - 5:30pm	Closing remarks
	Professor Daniel MacArthur Director, Centre for Population Genomics

Frequently asked questions

How can I register?

You can register for the 2025 OurDNA Symposium via Humanitix.

When does registration close?

In-person registrations for the 2025 OurDNA Symposium will close on Monday 28 July at the close of business, or when capacity of the event is reached. Online registrations will close on Tuesday 12 August or when capacity is reached.

Places are limited, so please register now.

Is there a registration fee?

This is a free event. Places are limited, so please register now.

Is it too late to register?

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 OurDNA Symposium! Online registrations are still open at this time. You can register here. Places are limited, so please register now.

Where is the event being held?

The event is being held in the Blackwattle Room at the Park Royal in Darling Harbour.

The hotel located on 150 Day St, Sydney NSW 2000.

Who is the target audience?

The 2025 OurDNA Symposium is targeted at clinicians, researchers, community partners and advocates involved in population genomics and genomic medicine. Many of the sessions are designed for an audience familiar with the subject matter, and may not be suitable for general audiences.

If you’re interested in learning about OurDNA in general, visit the homepage.

Will the event timing conflict with the HGSA Annual Scientific Meeting?

The 2025 OurDNA Symposium will take place the day before the HGSA Annual Scientific Meeting Special Interest Groups are held. Unfortunately, it will conflict with the HGSA Advisory Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday, 14 August.

I want to participate in OurDNA. Can I join if I attend this event?

Thank you for your interest in OurDNA! This event is designed for clinicians and researchers working in genomics, rather than the participants of the OurDNA. For more information on how you can take part, visit the website.

Will this event be recorded?

The 2025 OurDNA Symposium won’t be recorded. If you’re interested in learning more about the Centre for Population Genomics' work, visit the homepage.

Can I join online?

Due to the interactive nature of many of the sessions, we suggest you attend in-person if you’re able to. However, online attendance is also available.

Is the event accessible?

The event is being held in the Blackwattle Room at the Park Royal in Darling Harbour. This room is accessible for wheelchair users, or people with limited mobility. Should you require any assistance, please contact us at ourdna-symposium@ourdna.org.au