Anastasija Zaiko

My major areas of expertise are in aquatic ecology and the development and assessment of molecular tools for monitoring and surveillance. I am an expert in management and analysis of complex datasets, applying advanced statistical and bioinformatics tools, and designing and conducting field and laboratory research. I developed and taught a number of undergrad and postgrad courses (Ecology, Hydrobiology, Statistics and other) for universities in Lithuania, Spain, New Zealand. I also participated in international postgraduate programmes as a summer school lecturer and student project supervisor. I have a strong record of scientific publications and advisory reports in the field of biosecurity and molecular surveillance. I have had leading roles in many national and international research programmes, projects and field expeditions, conducting experimental and observational studies in aquatic ecosystems employing a range of different surveillance techniques (traditional and molecular). I am co-leading the Marine Biosecurity Toolbox research programme (CAWX1904), one of the most significant multidisciplinary marine biosecurity programmes that NZ has ever had. I oversee the DETECT research theme of the programme aimed at effective integration of molecular approaches into the developing biosecurity toolbox. Within the “Managing Upstream: Estuaries State and Values” project, I co-led the first phase of work aimed at identifying pressures, state variables and attributes of estuaries, assessment of monitoring methods and data gaps. I lead science initiatives and have established relationships with research, governmental, iwi organisations, regional councils, national and international biosecurity partnerships through development and testing of eDNA-based monitoring and surveillance approaches.