Zane Oberholzer

I completed my undergrad studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, during which I was invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society for being in the Top 15% of my class. I remained at the University of the Witwatersrand to complete my MSc (Master of Science in the field of Genetics and Developmental Biology). My MSc project attempted to address the practice of male chick culling by investigating the role of a W-linked factor that may be implicated in female sex determination.

I am currently a PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand. My research is focusing on enhancer identification and characterization in the chick embryo that may be used for future gene-editing work. Collectively, I have 4 years of experience in the field of avian sex determination and I have experience with techniques such as molecular cloning and in-ovo electroporation.

I am passionate about this project because it has the potential to spare billions of chick’s lives; with the commercial advantage of increased egg yields.

October 2021