Dr Joanna J. Ilska (pictured) has worked as a quantitative geneticist for a number of years.

Dr Joanna J. Ilska specialises in prediction of breeding values for complex traits.

The Kennel Club has announced that quantitative geneticist Dr Joanna J. Ilska has joined the organisation as its new genetics research manager. She replaces Dr Tom Lewis who has moved on to work with Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Joanna was born in Poland and has lived in the UK for 15 years. In 2008, she completed a BSc in Applied Biosciences (Animal Science). She then achieved a Masters in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis at the University of Edinburgh in 2009.

In 2014 she completed her PhD in genomic prediction of breeding values in broiler chickens at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh. She then went on to work as a research fellow on a range of projects. She specialises in the prediction of breeding values for complex traits, using large scale genomic data such as whole genome sequences.

Currently, Joanna lives in Edinburgh with another Russian black terrier. She has a keen interest in obedience and nosework and was even part of a team representing Scotland in the Inter-regional Obedience competition at Crufts 2013.

Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at The Kennel Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joanna to The Kennel Club.

“With her academic and professional background in quantitative genetics and knowledge of prediction of breeding values for complex traits, coupled with her hands-on involvement as a pedigree dog owner, we feel confident that Joanna will be a great asset to The Kennel Club as well as to the wider dog world.”

Image (c) The Kennel Club.