I have always been fascinated with the natural world and spent much of my childhood watching animal programs. So much so that even now I can still recognize when they are recycling old footage. This translated into wanting a career in biology, and I have spent the last seven years navigating different areas to understand what motivates me the most.

This led me to pursue a career in animal breeding genetics. Having begun crossing guppies and tracking pedigrees in my fish tank, the opportunity to model quantitative traits and understand the complexities of the animal breeding field has been a great fit for me.

The Hong Kong Laureate Forum represents a unique opportunity for me to connect with like-minded individuals who share my enthusiasm for scientific discovery. I am particularly excited about the chance to engage with esteemed laureates and fellow young researchers, whose diverse perspectives and experiences will undoubtedly enrich my own understanding.

I have always excelled academically yet feel I may sometimes neglect the importance of collaboration, engagement, and getting inspiration from like-minded individuals. I have always had a strong interest in people, so the opportunity to meet fascinating individuals from all over the world excites me greatly.

Academic-Transcript-Liam-Butler.pdf

UoE-Transcript-Liam-Butler.pdf

University of Edinburgh

Letter-of-Recommendation.pdf

Trinity College Dublin

Reference-1-Liam-Butler.pdf

Graduated with a first-class honors in Genetics from Trinity College Dublin, top of my course.
Recipient of the James Watson Award (Genetics) awarded to the top incoming JS student in Genetics.
Top-marked undergrad research project leading to co-authorship of publication in BioRXiV.
Among the top performers in my current MSc Programme with an average mark of 80% in the first semester.

Currently conducting a research project to simulate the genomic structure and characteristics of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) and predict the impact of group selection on economically important traits such as body weight. The research compares individual-based selection and group-based selection, extending the AlphaSimR model to incorporate indirect genetic effects (IGEs). BSF, known for their high reproductive capacity and rapid growth, offer a sustainable protein source and efficient waste biodegradation. Population genetic studies reveal significant genetic differences between wild and commercial BSF populations, highlighting the potential for selective breeding. While individual selection focuses on enhancing traits like growth rate, group selection considers the overall performance of the group, leading to more harmonious colonies. The research aims to explore the practical implications of group selection, particularly in overcoming challenges in pedigree tracking and reducing inbreeding. Additionally, IGEs are investigated for their impact on phenotype, with the potential to optimize social behaviors in BSF. The simulation uses AlphaSimR and BLUPF90 to model breeding strategies, genetic architectures, and evolutionary processes, aiming to enhance group selection efficiency and improve breeding outcomes.