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George Hall


Position/Title: Ph.D. Student
email: ghall02@uoguelph.ca
Phone: 306-241-5100
Office: ANNU 043


Ph.D in Animal Bioscience (In progress), with Dr. Bedecarrats and Dr. Wood, University of Guelph, ON.
M.Sc in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (2015), University of Saskatchewan, SK.
B.Sc in Biochemistry (2011), University of British Columbia, BC.

My passion for research stems from my commitment to avian conservation. This passion started at an early age with the breeding of captive Gouldian finches, one of the world's most beautiful animals (in my opinion). When I discovered that these birds were mostly extirpated from their natural range, I promised myself I would fight to protect this species, and other avian ones alike, so that future generations can enjoy, and marvel at their beauty. I believe the key to avian conservation lies in Cryobanking. This process of freezing and storing germ cells allows us to bring populations/species back to life if they are ever entirely extirpated from the wild. Also, it provides for the storage of vast amounts of genetic biodiversity ensuring that when species are reconstituted their populations are healthy and viable.

My graduate journey started at the University of Saskatchewan where I attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, in the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Science. My research project focused on determining suitable cryopreservation protocols, for turkey ovarian and testicular tissue. In addition, I looked at the most appropriate age of young poults to undergo gonad transplantation, with an eye on improving this technique. After the completion of my Masters, I moved to Guelph to start my Ph.D. Here at Guelph, I am working with Dr. Bedecarrats and Dr. Wood in collaboration with the USDA (Dr. Long). To better understand why avian ovarian tissue fails to develop when it is transplanted. My project will focus on culturing and transplanting turkey ovarian tissue, and determining if the current protocols can be improved upon.

"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in" - Greek Proverb