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

Our thriving science and technology sector boasts the highest proportion of scientists and technicians in New Zealand, supported by strong tertiary organisations, a swathe of Crown Research Institutes and a rapidly growing innovation infrastructure. Whether in the lab or the field, our scientists help the Waikato contribute more than its fair share to the growth of science and entrepreneurial business.

Here, we share their stories, celebrate their discoveries and acknowledge their research and hard work. Let’s give them some kudos!

2019 Finalists

John Williamson

The ultimate quiet achiever, John Williamson has been a mainstay of our dairy research industry. John worked in laboratories for the Dairy Board and Dexcel, joining Dairy NZ as a Lead Research Technician when it…

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Dr. Ruth Martis

Better health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies is a passion for Dr Ruth Martis.  Dr Martis has been involved in research on breastfeeding, teenage pregnancy, fetal heart-rate monitoring and movement in labour and…

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Dr. Jonathan Caldwell

Little things making a big difference to air, soil and water quality are Dr Jonathan Caldwell’s realm of expertise. An environmental chemist by training, Dr Caldwell is an integral and senior member of the Waikato…

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Midland Trauma Research Centre (MTRC)

Through clinical research, quality improvement initiatives and education, the Midland Trauma Research Centre (MTRC) aims to reduce the incidence and impact of traumatic injury. The MTRC team has published numerous important papers on cycling, workplace…

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The Waikato Data Portal

The Waikato Data Portal team has broken down silos to better leverage and improve access to data generated by our region’s councils. There are 12 councils in the Waikato, all collecting information to support their…

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Ricci Wesselink

Ricci Wesselink is making a difference to student learning by flipping the education model. A passionate health science educator, Ricci Wesserlink teaches anatomy and physiology at Wintec’s Centre for Health and Social Practice. Her research…

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CRV Ambreed’s LowN

CRV Ambreed’s LowN team is tackling the issue of nitrogen loss from urine patches at its source. Every day around 1,000 tonnes of nitrogen (N) hits New Zealand farmland in urine from lactating cows. On…

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Dr. Douglas White

Dr. Douglas White’s research and award-winning communication initiatives are increasing both our understanding of rheumatic diseases and outcomes for patients. While working at Waikato Hospital, Dr. White has enhanced knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment…

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Dr. Amir Tarighaleslami

Combining practical engineering skills with research excellence, Dr Amir Tarighaleslami is helping industrial plants use heat more efficiently and reduce emissions. Our processing industries use around 214 quadrillion joules of heat per year, with around…

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Adjunct Associate Professor Amanda Oakley

Renowned dermatologist, Amanda Oakley has dedicated her career to life-saving, early detection of melanoma. Melanoma accounts for 80% of skin cancer deaths. Over 4,000 people are diagnosed with a form of melanoma every year in…

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Dr. Matthew Luckie

Dr Matthew Luckie’s work is supporting global efforts to make the internet safer and more transparent. As the internet grows organically and at pace, it is becoming the ‘wild frontier’ of the digital age. Dr…

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Lynnette Rogers

For many decades, Lynnette Rogers has been driving change and agency in grass roots science education. Lynnette is currently educator for the Kukutaaruhe Education Trust, which supports science, Maatauranga Maaori, environmental and community learning through…

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Raewyn Keene

In day-to-day lab management and as a champion for her profession, Raewyn Keene goes the extra mile. Described by colleagues as an unsung hero, Raewyn is a vital cog in the St Paul’s Collegiate science…

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Farm Medix

Farm Medix’s latest screening technology helps maintain milk quality, counter disease and reduce antibiotic use in cows, sheep and goats.  High somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk prevent it from being sold, can incur penalties…

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Dr. Julia Mullarney

The ebb and flow of the ocean holds a particular fascination for Dr Julia Mullarney. Dr Mullarney creatively combines lab experiments, numerical modelling and field research to understand the dynamics shaping our coastal environments. She…

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Rachael Goddard

A dynamic, visionary science educator, Rachael Goddard is committed to fostering sustainability. Rachael Goddard has been a passionate environmental scientist and educator for over 17 years. As Sustainability & Environment Manager for the University of…

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Dr. Drew Lohrer

Marine ecologist, Dr Drew Lohrer is helping us protect and manage valuable coastal resources. Dr Lohrer’s research often focuses on nursery environments or early links in food chains where even small changes can have far-reaching…

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Karen Thompson

Karen Thompson’s technical career demonstrates an appetite for challenge. Aside from a two-year spell overseas, Karen Thompson has worked at NIWA since 2001, and is now manager of its Ecotoxicology and Chemistry Group. She has…

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Dr. Lee Streeter

By successfully accounting for movement in ‘time of flight’ range imaging, Dr Lee Streeter has revolutionised this technology and expanded its potential application. ‘Time of flight’ imaging allows for physical measurements to be captured by…

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Kudos Scientists

  • All
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • Finalist
  • Scientist
  • Teacher
  • Winner

Dr. Jiafa Luo

Kerry Allen

Dr. Reece Hill

Professor Brendan Hicks

Dr. Chunhuan Lao

Dr. Michael Walmsley

Dr. Reece Hill

Dr. Cindy Baker

SPACE Team

Tag I.T Technologies & Davey Water Products

Dr. Rupert Craggs

Dr. Jacquie Kidd

Farm Medix

Dr. Ruth Martis

Raewyn Keene

Dr. Andrew Swales

Rachael Goddard

Michael S Kaplan, MD PhD

Pastoral 21

Karen Thompson

Michael Wilson

Dr. Matthew Luckie

Sara Loughnane

The Waikato Data Portal

Dr. Phillip Elmer

Natasha McGuire & Leno Spurrell

Brian Smith

BioBrew Ltd

Dr. John Roche

Dr. James Carson

Nataliia Kravchenko

Professor Jonathan Scott

John Williamson

Te Kuwaha o Taihoro Nukurangi

Dr. Jason Catchpole & BCS Team, LIC

CRV Ambreed’s LowN

Dr. Amir Tarighaleslami

LIC Genomics/ Biology Team

Dr. Aydin Berenjian

Dr. John Innes

Lynnette Rogers

Dr. Drew Lohrer

Dr. Brendon Gill

Dr. Ryan Paul

Ruakura Plant Pathology Team

Ian Carr

Sarah Hailes

Dr. Julia Mullarney

Dr. Douglas White

Dr. Logan Voss

Prof. Vic Arcus

Dr. Richard Bulmer

Dr. Jonni Koia

Dr. Tim Edwards

Sarah Hay

Antahi Innovations, Cambridge

Dr. Corinne Watts

Kamal Nair

Adjunct Associate Professor Amanda Oakley

Dudley Bell

Dr. Charis Brown

Andrea Soanes

Dr. Jade Tamatea

Dudley Bell

Assoc. Prof. Nicola Starkey

UoW Energy Engineering Research Group led by James Neale

Dr. Richard Spelman

Dr. Jonathan Caldwell

Dr. Lee Streeter

Farm Medix

Midland Trauma Research Centre (MTRC)

Ricci Wesselink

Prof. Brendan Hicks

Kathleen Dabell

Aaron M. Wall

Associate Professor Karin Bryan

Aydin Berenjian and Mostafa Seifan

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