SPACE Team, LIC
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!
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…
Dr Fiona Petchey’s innovations in radiocarbon dating are solving complex geological, archaeological and forensic puzzles. Radiocarbon dating fragments of bone and/or shell can provide clues to geological or environmental change, human migration and sometimes crime.…
From sewage to sea-level rise, Dr Rob Bell has devoted his professional life to protecting New Zealanders from water-related hazards. Principal Scientist and Programme Leader at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA),…
DairyNZ’s Improving Dairy Fertility Genetics Project has discovered new markers to help boost dairy herd fertility. Breeding Values (BV) estimate a cow or bull’s genetic merit for particular traits to help farmers increase desirable features…
Dr Joanne Ellis is recognised internationally for her insight into the response of marine environments to natural and man-made stressors. Dr Ellis’s focus research examines the impact of factors such as fishing, marine mining, wind…
Jason Morgan is helping science take great strides in the world of e-learning. Jason Morgan started his science career working for the NZ Leather and Shoe Research Association but quickly moved into education, currently teaching…
Radix Nutrition uses superior technology and ingredients to give nutritionally-designed meals a major makeover. At its state-of-the-art factory in Horotiu, Radix Nutrition gathers top-quality ingredients and applies the latest scientific nutritional research to create convenience…
Dr Peter Lehrke’s expertise was critical to the design of PharmaNZ’s innovative pharmaceutical factory. A nutritional biochemist with over 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical and natural health products sectors, Dr Lehrke led the PharmaNZ…
Dr Ian Kusabs has proven that a traditional Māori fishing method stacks up scientifically for monitoring the health of lakes and streams. Tau kōura uses bundles of bracken tied to submerged ropes, which provide an…
Breaking the speed limit for data crunching has earned Alexios Kavallaris a finalist ticket. Achieving compliance for drainage works on road construction projects requires review and mathematical checking of numerous on-site tests. For the final…
Manaaki Taiao ki Kirikiriroa is both accomplished practitioner and influential advocate in the realm of bicultural science frameworks. A seven-person team within Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research (MWLR), Manaaki Taiao ki Kirikiriroa supports the organisation’s commitment to…
RespiratorNZ’s ventilator adapts milking machine technology to help fight the global Covid-19 battle. Jeff Sharp was keen for his plastics company to support New Zealand’s pandemic preparedness. Teaming up with his neighbours – both doctors…
Better blood sugar control for our region’s 25,000 diabetics is the Waikato Diabetes Research Team’s goal. This joint University of Waikato/Waikato DHB initiative is examining both primary and secondary health services, aiming to streamline processes,…
A genuine star in NZ’s artificial breeding world, Neil Standley provides critical support for LIC’s laboratories. Each spring, LIC dispatches up to 140,000 straws of bull semen per day to New Zealand farms. Neil Standley…
Shalini Guleria’s revolutionary ScienceBox enterprise empowers kids to enjoy the magic of science. Shalini makes science accessible through exciting activities using ordinary household items, provided via school visits, holiday programmes and a subscription club. The…
Greta Dromgool’s teaching and contributions to the Science Learning Hub have boosted science education regionally and nationally. Greta is hugely committed to growing a love for science, sharing her enthusiasm for the discipline with her…
Dr Nina Scott’s research brings Mātauranga Māori to medicine, tangibly improving health outcomes for Māori. A leading expert in the use of kaupapa Māori methodologies for health research with more than 30 peer reviewed articles…
Tiny keys to big global environmental questions – past, present and future – are Dr Adam Hartland’s specialty. A Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato, Dr Hartland’s focus is on the interaction between natural…
Outstanding leaders in terrestrial ecology, Professor Bruce Clarkson and Dr Bev Clarkson have dedicated their careers to understanding and protecting our special landscapes. Collectively, the Clarksons have attracted approximately $26 million in research funding, written…
