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Join Samantha Yap, Conservation Genomics Coordinator at the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, for an engaging conversation about conservation genomics, threatened species and the role of genetic diversity in protecting biodiversity.
About the Speaker:
Samantha Yap is a Conservation Genomics Coordinator at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, where she is passionate about applying genomic tools to guide the management and conservation of threatened species. Her work focuses on understanding genetic diversity, population patterns and landscape processes to provide practical insights that support species recovery and long-term biodiversity conservation.
Samantha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with Honours and completed her PhD investigating the contrasting evolutionary patterns of Sunda/Sahul lineages in Australian rainforests. Her research combines genomic, environmental, climatic and distributional data to better understand how species and rainforest communities have evolved and changed over time.
At the Gardens, Samantha leads a team coordinating a wide range of conservation genomic studies for the Saving Our Species program. Together, they work closely with Threatened Species Officers to develop effective genomic tools that can inform practical species management. Her team has secured funding and conducted studies on more than 60 rare and threatened species, helping build the scientific knowledge needed to safeguard Australia's unique biodiversity.
A key focus of Samantha's work is understanding and maintaining genetic diversity. By investigating patterns of diversity within and between populations, her research can help guide decisions around seed collection, species management and conservation strategies, ensuring vulnerable species retain the greatest possible capacity to adapt to future environmental change.
One of Samantha's notable research projects was supported by an Australian Flora Foundation grant to study the genetic diversity of Rhodamnia rubescens, an Australian rainforest species severely affected by Myrtle Rust. Through this work, she aimed to optimise diversity in seed collections and contribute to the long-term preservation of this vulnerable plant.
Samantha is also involved in significant rainforest research, using genomic data alongside information about species distributions, environmental conditions and climate to investigate how rainforest communities have assembled and changed through time. Her work reflects a strong interest in using cutting-edge science to answer practical conservation questions.
One of Samantha's favourite plant-related memories comes from her honours research, when she extracted Wollemi Pine chloroplast DNA using a blender alongside her then-supervisor, who is now her manager. For Samantha, the experience captures the collaborative, hands-on and exciting nature of scientific discovery.
Driven by her passion for biodiversity and her desire to apply genomic data to improve our understanding of threatened species, Samantha is optimistic about the future of conservation. Through her research and leadership, she is helping develop the tools and knowledge needed to better manage, protect and ultimately save some of Australia's most precious plant species.
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