KO W H I T I K A U P E K A T E W H E T Ū
ACCELERATING RESEARCH CAREERS WITH RUTHERFORD DISCOVERY FELLOWSHIPS EACH YEAR ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WE AWARD RUTHERFORD DISCOVERY FELLOWSHIPS TO LEADING EARLYTO MID-CAREER RESEARCHERS, SUPPORTING THEM TO ACCELERATE THEIR RESEARCH CAREERS IN NEW ZEALAND. In 2019 the awarded Fellows’ rangahau span a wide variety of interesting topics, including:
2019 RUTHERFORD DISCOVERY FELLOWS Dr David Aguirre, Massey University, for research titled: Ecosystems on unstable foundations: examining the potential for coral and macroalgal responses to global change. Dr Olivia Faull, University of Otago, for research titled: Breathing and anxiety: Understanding the miscommunication between brain and body, and how best to treat it. Dr Jodie Hunter, Massey University, for research titled: Developing mathematical inquiry communities: Using a strength-based approach to provide equitable opportunities to learn mathematics for diverse learners.
• using a lab-on-a-chip approach to understand how plant diseases such as kauri dieback and myrtle rust target and invade their hosts;
Associate Professor Andrew McDaid, University of Auckland, for research titled: Uncovering new knowledge of neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation mechanisms using novel datadriven methods.
• investigating the communication between brain and body to develop better coping mechanisms for those who suffer from anxiety;
Dr Alexander Melnikov, Massey University, for research titled: Applications of modern computability.
• finding out what ‘social capital’ means within a Māori world view and how this is relevant to other populations; and • combating loneliness in adolescents and emerging adults by increasing our understanding of social identity.
Dr Volker Nock, University of Canterbury, for research titled: Electrotaxis and protrusive force generation in fungal and oomycete pathogens – pathways to new biocontrol strategies. Associate Professor Melanie Ooi, University of Waikato, for research titled: Resilient and efficient light-based plant detection and characterisation for precision agriculture and environmental sustainability. Dr Matthew Roskruge, Massey University, for research titled: The economics of social capital from a Māori perspective. Dr Damian Scarf, University of Otago, for research titled: The belonging project.
TŪHURA E X P L O R E
Dr Jenni Stanley, University of Waikato for research titled: What does protection sound like? A modern approach to understanding New Zealand’s underwater soundscapes and acoustic pressures. Dr Ágnes Szabó, Massey University, for research titled: Growing old in an adopted land: Cross-fertilizing ageing and acculturation research. VIEW MORE ABOUT THE 2019 RUTHERFORD DISCOVERY FELLOWS
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