Variant Effects Seminar Series (VESS)

In this series, early-career scientists from around the globe share and discuss their research related to interpreting human genetic variation. Seminars are held on the 1st Tuesday each month from 9-10am Pacific (4-5pm UTC).

NEXT SEMINAR: January 6th, 2026

9-10am Pacific timezone converter

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Previous Seminars

Special Edition VESS Fireside Chat

Join us for an engaging conversation with two leading voices in genomics!

Date: January 6th, 2026
Time: 9:00–10:00 AM Pacific
Format: Virtual Event

Featured Speakers:

  • Dr. Maitreya Dunham
    Chair, Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington
  • Dr. Matthew Hurles
    Director, Wellcome Sanger Institute

https://www.varianteffect.org/event/fireside-chat/

Upcoming Speakers

Special Edition VESS Fireside Chat

Dr Maitreya Dunham

University of Washington

Presentation Date: 6 January 2026 Drs. Dunham and Hurles will share insights on critical topics at the intersection of genomics and medicine, with focused discussions on: -Multiplexed Assays of Variant Effect (MAVEs) in clinical applications -Model organism systems and their role in advancing genomic research This fireside chat serves as a preview to the 2026 Mutational Scanning Symposium (March 25–27, Melbourne), where both speakers will deliver keynote addresses. For more information please visit https://www.varianteffect.org/event/fireside-chat/ Don't miss this opportunity to hear from two pioneers shaping the future of genomic science!

EVENT FLYER for FiresideGraphic

The Dunham lab develops and applies genomic tools to study genome evolution and genetic variation in yeast and humans.  We utilize the budding yeasts as a testbed for technology development and as an experimentally tractable system for evolutionary genetics and genomics.

Matthew Hurles

Special Edition VESS Fireside Chat

Matthew Hurles (he/him)

Presentation Date: 6 January 2026 Drs. Dunham and Hurles will share insights on critical topics at the intersection of genomics and medicine, with focused discussions on: -Multiplexed Assays of Variant Effect (MAVEs) in clinical applications -Model organism systems and their role in advancing genomic research This fireside chat serves as a preview to the 2026 Mutational Scanning Symposium (March 25–27, Melbourne), where both speakers will deliver keynote addresses. For more information please visit https://www.varianteffect.org/event/fireside-chat/ Don't miss this opportunity to hear from two pioneers shaping the future of genomic science!

EVENT FLYER for FiresideGraphic

Matthew Hurles is Director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute and leads a research group focused on deciphering the genetic causes of severe developmental disorders, and understanding how DNA mutates as it is passed from generation to generation.

Seminar series FAQ's

Future Seminars

We are looking for speakers, including students, postdocs, and new faculty (<1 year in position)!!

If you are interested in presenting or would like to recommend someone, please fill out this online >> SPEAKER NOMINATION FORM

or contact one of the VESS Organizers on our AVE slack channel!

(sign up to become a member and join conversations on slack https://www.varianteffect.org/membership/)