Late in August, we were delighted to welcome Sean Hogan from the Dunedin study based at the University of Otago to speak to our year 12 and 13 Biology students.

In our year 12 Biology course we study Gene Expression, and as part of this unit we look at the "why am I" DVD series that aired on TVNZ several years ago. 

This DVD series is based on the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Study (the Dunedin Study for short) which has now been ongoing for almost half a century. At their most recent phase (age 45) data collection, 94% of living Study members participated. 

This world-famous study is in its fifth decade and has provided important information to many different studies. Research from the study has meant there have been over 1300 publications and reports, many of which have influenced or helped inform policymakers in New Zealand and overseas. 

The Dunedin Study has followed the lives of 1037 babies born between 1 April 1972 and 31 March 1973 at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand, since their birth. 

Each year our Logan Park High school students engage positively with this unit and the TV series provides many topical talking points, the talk by Sean generated much interest as he spoke about the link between genes and depression, genes and violence and how important the environment people grow up in is. 

Sean also provided a very real understanding of how money is sourced for this important research and how important it is to look after the participants and the future of this incredible study.