2020 postgraduate science scholarship winners
- Alex Burton, Massey University (Masters)
Assessing the population ecology of school sharks in the southern Kaipara Harbour.
- Katharina Doehring, University of Otago (PhD)
Looking at how to most effectively set up a national register of on-land mitigation actions that improve water quality for all primary industries.
- Shawn Gerrity, University of Canterbury (PhD)
Focusing on the recovery, restoration, enhancement, and population dynamics of New Zealand abalone (pāua)
- Josie Mainwaring, Victoria University of Wellington (Masters)
Better understanding the characterisation and inhibition of oospores of Phytophthora agathidicida – the causal agent of kauri dieback disease.
- Izabella Norris, Massey University (Masters)
Investigation of fish welfare issues in New Zealand, and analysis of current fish welfare documents, regulations and policies for the generation of welfare indices.
- Clarissa Ross, University of Otago (Masters)
Understanding the influence of clay mineral properties on expansion in Southland soils.
2018 scholarship winner case studies
Chris Nottingham
"Winning a $50,000 MPI post-graduate scholarship made a huge difference. It gave me options and meant I could do my PhD and start a family."
The 29-year-old is in his second year of his PhD at Auckland University, developing improved models to estimate surf clam populations. This will help determine if there are sufficient numbers to grow a sustainable commercial fishery.
Chris says current stock assessment methods are based on biomass surveys and there's a lot of interest in a more robust model that would provide greater insight into stock numbers.
Found in the surf zone at sandy beaches around the country, he says surf clams have the potential to become one of New Zealand’s biggest commercial fisheries. They have good opportunities for export, particularly to China.
Being awarded an MPI post-graduate scholarship in 2018 has given Chris the financial freedom to pursue his PhD studies in a field that could generate new jobs and wealth in communities around the country, and to become a first-time dad at the same time.
Edwardo Reynolds
"The scholarship has allowed me to spend more time on my research, providing peace of mind during my PhD. It has linked me to other passionate scientists and early career researchers throughout the primary industries."
Getting a public sector perspective on his research and creating vital connections across industry inspired Edwardo to apply for an MPI post-graduate scholarship. His study with Massey University focuses on the identification of genetic variation between cows, a topic which has interested him since his early years.
"I grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Gisborne. I’ve always been interested in genetics and statistics, and am keen for my work to apply in the real world." He says livestock genetics seemed like a great place to apply his interests.
Edwardo hopes his research will improve our understanding of genetic variation in cattle, leading to improvements in animal welfare and on-farm sustainability.
Irene Middleton
"The MPI scholarship allows me to treat my PhD as a fulltime job, gain experience, and hone a new set of skills. From a personal point of view, I am a mature student going back to study – which is scary. But I had collaborated with MPI in the past and always enjoyed the work and the people."
PhD candidate Irene Middleton returned to study as a mature student after spending 12 years as a marine scientist. The MPI scholarship helps her to focus on her study, when previously it was incredibly difficult to do both.
Irene"s research involves:
- collating historical records of exotic fishes and invertebrates found in New Zealand
- setting up a citizen-science platform to record sightings, and
- undertaking quantitative surveys of marine debris and habitats for dispersing fishes and invertebrates.
She hopes her research will help MPI to interact with citizen scientists and increase their approachability and visibility.
A recreational diver and award-winning nature photographer, Irene's passion for sea life appears to know no bounds.
Other 2018 scholarship winners
Trevor Best, PhD, University of Canterbury
The construction of stress by machine operators working in the forest and logging industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Thomas Corbett, PhD, University of Waikato
Development of a nitrate/nitrite and phosphate sensor to understand nutrient levels.
Jonathan Dash, PhD, University of Canterbury
Detection and monitoring of invasive exotic conifers in New Zealand using remote sensing technology.
Jiaojiao (Yvonne) Gao, MSc, Massey University
Researching food traceability – a major obstacle when investigating food-borne illnesses.
Stacey Hendriks, PhD, Massey University
Profiling lying behaviour and activity changes in grazing dairy cows and identifying ways to detect animals at risk of developing disease.
Kimberly Maxwell, PhD, Victoria University of Wellington
An ecosystem approach to fisheries from a tangata whenua perspective.
Sam Pike, MSc, Massey University
New generation beef (Kūao beef): developing a new beef production system from bobby calves.
