Working Groups
Data Synthesis Working Group
The OBON Data Synthesis working group will take on the challenge of integrating datasets collected across the diverse programs in OBON that employ different methods and target different taxa.
We aim to demonstrate the ability to combine and leverage existing programs to track biodiversity indicators at increasingly global spatial scales. Key to this effort will be defining at what level data can be combined depending on varying methodology and overcoming barriers in reporting practices that improve interoperability.
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Working Group Members:
- Katie Pitz, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, USA
- Anais Lacoursiere, Dept of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada (DFO)
- Nastassia Patin, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA
- Pascal Habluetzel, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
- Jennifer Sunday, McGill University, Canada
- Kazi Ahsan Habib, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh
- Kristen Westfall
- Saara Suominen, OBIS. UNESCO / IOC Project Office for IODE
- Julie Robidart, National Oceanography Centre, UK
- Becca Millard, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK
- Karen Tait, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK
- Eric Raes, Minderoo Foundation, Australia
- Matt Lemay, Hakai Institute, Canada
- Susanna Theroux, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, USA
- Jodie Van de Kamp, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
- Jodie Van de Kamp
Technology Development Working Group
The Technology Development Working Group (TDWG) aims to advance the use of eDNA technology for global marine biodiversity observations. The WG focuses on surveying the landscape of semi-autonomous to autonomous omics-based sampling instruments and deployment platforms and identifying challenges of scaling these types of instruments. The TWG has identified that 1) a diverse class of instrumentation needs to be developed for sampling different oceanic zones and regions; 2) these instruments will require utilisation of a wide range of deployable platforms (e.g., moorings, ASV, AUV), and 3) defining specific use cases (e.g., marine protected areas, offshore energy) will provide a path forward to scaling biodiversity observations.
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Working Group Members:
- Kevan Yamahara, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, USA
- Julie Robidart, National Oceanography Centre, UK
- Willie Wilson, Marine Biological Association, UK
- Eric Raes, Minderoo Foundation, Australia
- Katie Pitz, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, USA
- Annette Govindarajan, WHOI, USA
- Vanessa Yepes, Invemar, Columbia
Recent updates:
The TDWG raised funds for, and held an international Marine Omics’ Technology and Instrumentation (MOTI) workshop in October 2023 at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). The objective was to convene technology innovators (developers, engineers and industry) to catalyze discussions regarding the challenges and obstacles associated with semi-autonomous to autonomous, deployable instrumentation developed for eDNA sample collection, processing, and in-situ analysis. Funding was provided by the Office of Naval Research, OceanKind and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), with in-kind contributions from the MBARI. The workshop brought together 55 participants from 7 different countries (United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, Spain and Germany), representing a broad group of technology and platform developers, engineers, scientists, resource managers, private companies, industry representatives, philanthropic organizations and government. Read more about the MOTI workshop in the Nov 2023 OBON Newsletter.
Following the inaugural MOTI workshop, the TDWG has been actively disseminating knowledge and fostering collaboration among technology innovators, developers, scientists, and industry experts. Two manuscripts are in preparation: one delineating the landscape of autonomous eDNA sampling technology, and the other presenting a prospectus on the future of autonomous eDNA sampling for global marine biodiversity observation. This event has catalyzed the formation of new partnerships and collaborations, fostering coordination and resource-sharing within the marine eDNA science and technology community, aimed at expediting innovation and deployment of eDNA technology for marine biodiversity observation. Notably, an instrument/technology validation study, resulting from the workshop, is underway to benchmark commercially available or high-readiness-level instruments, to begin in the end of 2024. Building on these achievements, the TDWG intends to convene a follow-on meeting in 2025, affording stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on progress and strategize for sustained collaboration and innovation. Further details regarding the 2025 meeting will be communicated in due course, as the TWG remains steadfast in its commitment to facilitating dialogue and collective action to advance eDNA technology for global marine biodiversity observation.
Capacity Development Working Group
The Capacity Development Working Group discusses priorities for worldwide resource and network development and capacity strengthening, exchanging ideas and practices based on the experience of the WG members and their organisations. The group also plans future OBON capacity development/strengthening events, focussing on geographical locations where there is a strong engagement with OBON and a clear potential benefit to the region.
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Working Group Members:
- Filipe Jose Oliveira Costa, University of Minho, Portugal
- Jean Dominique Durand, Institute for Research for Development, France
- Kazi Ahsan Habib, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh
- Sophie von der Heyden, U Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Colleen Kellogg, Ocean Decade Collaborative Center Northeast Pacific, Canada
- Margaret Leinen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA (Chair)
- Daniele Ludicone, Statione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Italy
- Achim Meyer, Leibniz Zentrum fur Marine Tropenforschung, Germany
- Alice Ortmann, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada
- Nicolas Pade, European Marine Biological Resource Center, France
- Stephan Pesant
- Alejandra Prieto
- Saara Suominen, OBIS. UNESCO / IOC Project Office for IODE.
- Kamil Szafranski, ATLASea, CNRS, France
- Aileen Tan Shau Huai, U Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
- Susanna Theroux, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, USA
- Peter Thielen, Johns Hopkins University, USA
- Alison Kim Shan Wee, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Malaysia
- Willie Wilson, Marine Biological Association, UK
- Vanessa Yepes, Invemar, Columbia
- Xiaowei Zhang, , Nanjing University, China
Protocols & Methodologies Working Group
The OBON Protocols & Methodologies working group is focused on developing a framework to compile and share the expanding methodological landscape in omics ocean observing. By improving transparency, the group aims to enhance the comparison of method efficiencies, establish optimal standard methods, enable data re-uses, and reduce uncertainties in genomic data use for management decisions. Together, these efforts will accelerate the progress and impacts of this field.
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Working Group Members:
- Katie Pitz
- Anais Lacoursiere
- Nastassia Patin
- Ioulia Santi
- Kazi Ahsan Habib
- Xiaowei Zhang
- Aileen Tan Shau Hwai
- Vanessa Yepes
- Susanna Theroux
- Miwa Takahashi
- Peter Woollard
Reference Libraries Working Group
The OBON Reference Library working group aims to improve the utility and completeness of reference libraries used to identify environmental sequences. We will bring together those working in this space to allow efforts to coordinate, and to identify where group action should be taken to address needs within our field.
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Working Group Members:
- Katie Pitz
- Kristen Westfall
- Nastassia Patin
- Pascal Habluetzel
- Matt Lemay
- Kazi Ahsan Habib
- Kamil Szafranski
- Saara Suominen
- Becca Millard
- Helen Parry
- Vanessa Yepes
- Susanna Theroux
- Emilie Boulanger
Policy Working Group
More details soon…
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Working Group Members:
- Margaret Leinen
- Anais Lacoursiere
- Alice Ortmann
- Eric Raes
- Jennifer Sunday
- Willie Wilson
- Karen Tait
- Saara Suominen
- Julie Robidart
- Xiaowei Zhang
- Annette Govindarajan
- Alejandra Prieto
- Susanna Theroux