Our Scientists

Dr Shen Hin Lim

By building a ‘bot to crack a back-breaking task, Dr Shen Hin Lim gives hope to our asparagus industry. Our horticulture sector is facing a labour crunch and asparagus growers are particularly hard hit. Workers…

Dr Charles Lee

Dr .Charles Lee is on the front line between climate change and one of the most pristine and least understood places on earth. Dr. Lee’s early career busted many myths about the nature and behaviour…

Prof Matt Littlejohn

Professor Matt Littlejohn’s research for LIC has identified key genetic variants that have a significant impact on production and health in our national herd. Over the last 25 years, LIC has made a number of…

Paul Champion

Paul Champion’s work tackles the wicked problem of weedy waterways. Aquatic weeds can easily grow rampant, affecting recreation, interfering with hydro-generation, hindering restoration efforts and driving native species onto endangered lists. One of our leading…

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

As scrutiny increases on the environmental impact of food production, AgResearch is providing vital support for our dairy and meat industries. Over the last decade, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) team at AgResearch has consistently…

Assoc Prof Kura Paul-Burke

Associate Professor Kura Paul-Burke blends western science with mātauranga Māori to help coastal communities manage marine taonga. Shellfish such as mussels indicate the health of our coastal environments and are a valued food source. In…

Fiona Wolff

Fiona Wolff is committed to increasing interest, access and participation in science within her classroom and beyond. At Morrinsville College, Fiona teaches the Year 9 learning support class where she thrives on helping students who…

Chris Duggan

Chris Duggan’s bi-lingual science kits for primary schools have grown from a one-city wonder to a nationwide phenomenon. Observing a downward trend in our primary level science results and knowing that a lack of teacher…

Dr Megan Grainger

Dr Megan Grainger is securing sweet success for our multi-million dollar manuka honey industry. As a university student Dr Grainger isolated and identified MGO, the compound behind the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) which indicates the…

Dr Terry Isson

Biogeochemist Dr Terry Isson has clarified the link between silica-rich marine ecosystems and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, with big implications for climate change. Dr Isson’s work reveals the death of creatures such as single-cell plankton,…

Leandro Bolzoni

Associate Professor Leandro Bolzoni is a world leader in the realm of titanium alloys and economic, environmentally-friendly ways to produce them. Strong, light, corrosion-resistant and biocompatible, titanium and titanium alloys are invaluable to the aerospace,…

Dr Anica Klockars

With her research into goat milk and its impact on brain processes, Dr Anica Klockars is traversing new ground in nutritional research. When breastfeeding is not possible or practical, formula feeding is the alternative. Cow-milk…

Jason Morgan

Jason Morgan is helping science take great strides in the world of e-learning. Jason teaches chemistry and physics at St Peter’s in Cambridge, where he is also Director of eLearning. His enthusiasm for hand-held devices,…

Dr. Etuini Ma’u

Dr. Etuini Ma’u’s leadership and research is improving our understanding of dementia care needs, particularly in relation to Pacific people. As our population ages, the number of people with dementia is rapidly increasing. An academic…

Scion/AgriSea

As the perils of plastic production and pollution rise, Scion/AgriSea spies a solution in seaweed. Nanocellulose is considered to be a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics and can be used in a vast range of…

Joe Baker

Associate Professor Joe Baker’s specialist bent is keeping our backs in good form. A leading academic orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in spinal deformity and disease, Associate Professor Baker’s research focus is on infection…

Assoc Prof Bridgette Masters-Awatere

Associate Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere draws on mātauranga Māori knowledge to inform medical best practice. Associate Professor Masters-Awatere has been instrumental in embedding Kaupapa Māori approaches and principles into medical and health-related research, creating meaningful health…

In the Waikato we’re proud of our scientists, their research and their ground breaking discoveries.

2021 Finalists