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:

• using a lab-on-a-chip approach to understand how plant diseases such as kauri dieback and myrtle rust target and invade their hosts;

• investigating the communication between brain and body to develop better coping mechanisms for those who suffer from anxiety;

• 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.

T Ū HURA

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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.

Associate Professor Andrew McDaid, University of Auckland, for research titled: Uncovering new knowledge of neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation mechanisms using novel datadriven methods.

Dr Alexander Melnikov, Massey University, for research titled: Applications of modern computability.

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.

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