Personal profile
My research in a nutshell
I lead the HighlanderLab, which focuses on managing and improving populations using data science, genetics, and breeding.
We focus on populations used for food, feed, and fibre production with some spillover into other populations.
We are particularly interested in:
(i) methods for genetics and breeding,
(ii) design and optimisation of breeding programmes, and
(iii) analysis of data to unravel biology and to find new ways of improving populations.
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Genetic prediction with ARG-powered linear algebra
Lee, H., Pope, N. S., Kelleher, J., Gorjanc, G. & Ralph, P. L., 6 May 2026, In: Genetics. 233, 1, p. 1-21 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Spatial modelling improves genomic evaluation in Tanzanian smallholder admixed dairy cattle
Houaga, I., Mrode, R., Ojango, J., Ekine-Dzivenu, C. C., Okeyo, M., Nziku, Z., Nguluma, A., Lavrenčič, E., Lindgren, F., Pocrnic, I., Djikeng, A. & Gorjanc, G., 21 Jan 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Genetics Selection Evolution. 58, 1, p. 1-14 14 p., 8.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
HoloSimR: a comprehensive framework for simulating breeding programs including the hologenome scenario
Casto-Rebollo, C., Pocrnic, I., Gorjanc, G. & Ibanez Escriche, N., 13 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Animal Science. 104, p. 1-11 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Accurate determination of breed origin of alleles in a simulated smallholder crossbred dairy cattle population
Welderufael, B., Houaga, I., Gaynor, C., Gorjanc, G. & Hickey, J., Dec 2025, In: Genetics Selection Evolution. 57, 1, p. 1-11 11 p., 35.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
randPedPCA: Rapid approximation of principal components from large pedigrees
Lee, H., Gorjanc, G., Craddock, R. & Becher, H., Dec 2025, In: Genetics Selection Evolution. 57, 1, p. 1-13 13 p., 46.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Activities
-
Use of genomics in small populations
Pocrnic, I. (Invited speaker), Rochus, C. (Contributor), Gorjanc, G. (Contributor) & Houaga, I. (Contributor)
16 Jul 2025Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Invited talk
-
Leveraging AI in data-driven genetics and breeding studies
Pocrnic, I. (Speaker), Santana, B. (Speaker) & Gorjanc, G. (Contributor)
22 Apr 2025Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
-
Genomic selection in small populations
Pocrnic, I. (Invited speaker), Woolliams, J. (Contributor), Gorjanc, G. (Contributor) & Obsteter, J. (Contributor)
15 Jun 2023Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Invited talk
-
Framework for stochastic simulations of additive and dominance genetic variation: Case study in layer chickens
Pocrnic, I. (Speaker), Gaynor, C. (Contributor), Bancic, J. (Contributor), Wolc, A. (Contributor), Lubritz, D. (Contributor) & Gorjanc, G. (Contributor)
13 Oct 2022Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
-
Quantifying the Drivers of Genetic Change in Plant Breeding
De Paula Oliveira, T. (Speaker), Tolhurst, D. (Contributor), Pocrnic, I. (Contributor) & Gorjanc, G. (Supervisor)
21 Sept 2022Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
Prizes
-
The Roslin Innovation Centre tenant staff collaboration award
Gorjanc, G. (Recipient), Houston, R. (Recipient) & Farrugia, T. (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
OptiME: Optimize breeding via multiplex gene editing
Gorjanc, G. (Principal Investigator) & Becher, H. (Co-investigator)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
11/11/25 → 30/06/29
Project: Research
-
24BBR HiPerBreedSim: High-performance breeding simulations with complex genomes & phenotypes
Gorjanc, G. (Principal Investigator), Becher, H. (Co-investigator) & Tolhurst, D. (Co-investigator)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
24/09/25 → 23/09/29
Project: Research
-
SparseMET: Design of sparse multi-environment soybean trials using simulation
Gorjanc, G. (Principal Investigator) & Tolhurst, D. (Co-investigator)
1/09/25 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
-
Directors Discretionary Fund 2024-25
Whitelaw, B. (Principal Investigator), Adams, I. (Co-investigator), Chagunda, M. (Co-investigator) & Gorjanc, G. (Co-investigator)
1/05/24 → 31/03/27
Project: Research
-
ArteBreed: Kick-starting an artemia breeding programme to increase fishmeal production sustainably
Gorjanc, G. (Principal Investigator) & Pocrnic, I. (Co-investigator)
1/03/24 → 28/02/27
Project: Research
Datasets
-
CIMMYT - Maize genome sequences
Gorjanc, G. (Owner) & Mafra Fortuna, G. (Creator), Edinburgh DataVault, 31 Jan 2024
DOI: 10.7488/6cf9a355-17d3-43d0-b04d-b147aaa8a21b
Dataset
-
Optimisation of the core subset for the APY approximation of genomic relationships
Pocrnic, I. (Creator), Lindgren, F. (Creator), Tolhurst, D. (Creator), Herring, W. O. (Creator) & Gorjanc, G. (Creator), Zenodo, 10 Oct 2022
Dataset
-
Breeding strategies for integrating new and orphan crops in production systems
Bancic, J. (Creator), Dawson, I. (Creator), Gorjanc, G. (Creator), Hoad, S. (Creator), Odeny, D. A. (Creator), Ojulong, H. (Creator) & Hickey, J. (Creator), Edinburgh DataShare, 20 Dec 2022
DOI: 10.7488/ds/3192
Dataset
-
BeeKIS/ApisMellifera_SimPop:
Obšteter, J. (Creator), Strachan, L. (Creator), Bubnič, J. (Creator), Marinč, A. (Creator), Gorjanc, G. (Creator) & Prešern, J. (Creator), Zenodo, 13 Oct 2021
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5567314, https://zenodo.org/record/5567314
Dataset
Press/Media
-
Data project paves way for improved cow management and breeding
24/06/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press Release
-
Interview on Data-driven innovation in AgriTech
31/05/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
-
Media coverage: Novel combination of CRISPR-based gene drives eliminates resistance and localises spread
4/03/21 → 6/04/21
13 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
-
Press release: Novel combination of CRISPR-based gene drives eliminates resistance and localises spread
4/03/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press Release
-
Dr Gregor Gorjanc on breeding, even insects
25/03/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities