High School students explore biochemistry during Hands-On at Otago
Wednesday 18 January 2023
Dr Ben Peters has been providing visiting high school students with a taster of life in an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory this week.
Record graduation numbers for COVID cohort
Wednesday 21 December 2022
Congratulations to all former biochemistry students graduating this month! Tino pai rawa atu! The Department is particularly thrilled to see a record number of PhD completions this year, despite the challenges that this cohort has faced with the COVID pandemic. Sixteen former PhD students graduated this year, 10 of them in December.
Graduate battles wasps and more to gain PhD
Friday 16 December 2022
Along with nine other graduands from the Department of Biochemistry, Gemma McLaughlin graduates with her PhD this week. But the journey that Gemma took to get to this point turned out to be very different to the one she thought she would take when she started her PhD study.
The Diermeier Lab has three PhDs graduating this week!
Friday 16 December 2022
Dr Sarah Diermeier leads a highly successful group in the Department of Biochemistry that carries out research into cancer and RNA biology. Three former students from Sarah’s research group graduate with their PhDs this week.
Otago Biochemistry End-of-Year Shindig 2022
Friday 16 December 2022
Scientists, students and professional staff flocked to Biochemistry’s BIG13 (ground floor seminar room) to celebrate the achievements of the past year, forget their frustrations, and to gorge on strawberries during the Department’s annual end of year party.
PhD graduate Jamie Kok on using seaweed to fight skin disease
Friday 16 December 2022
Could seaweed be a part of the next treatment for eczema?
2022 BMS Staff End of Year Function and Awards
Monday 12 December 2022
Staff from across the School of Biomedical Sciences gathered last week to celebrate the achievements of the past year and find out who won the teaching and research awards for 2022.
Two more prestigious awards for Otago researchers
Tuesday 29 November 2022
Two of the University of Otago’s leading researchers have been honoured for their huge contribution to science with Royal Society Te Apārangi medals.
Valued Otago biochemist awarded Carl Smith Medal for outstanding research
Thursday 24 November 2022
Associate Professor Peter Mace was officially presented with the University’s Carl Smith Medal for outstanding research this week at a public lecture and ceremony attended by current and former colleagues, collaborators, and whānau.
Bacterial biofilm therapeutics project wins Marsden Fund support
Tuesday 15 November 2022
A project investigating new ways to fight deadly bacterial biofilms has won a Marsden Fast-Start fellowship for its lead researcher, Otago biochemist Dr Matthias Fellner.
2022 MSc Research Presentations
Monday 14 November 2022
In a series of four lunchtime sessions held over the past few weeks, Otago Biochemistry Master’s degree students have been presenting their research project progress to assembled members of the Department of Biochemistry.
Members of Microbiology (final edition): Meet Sakiusa Baleivanualala
Tuesday 8 November 2022
Over the course of 2022, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology has been celebrating the research of its current PhD candidates.
Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund grant recipients for 2022
Friday 4 November 2022
Twenty-four Otago academics were recently announced as successful in their bid for a 2022 Marsden grant, worth a total of almost $19 million.
Nobel prize winner Professor Martin Chalfie's upcoming Eccles Lecture
Thursday 27 October 2022
Nobel prize winner, Professor Martin Chalfie, will be presenting this year's Eccles Lecture on "The continuing need for useless information".
Undergrad students inspire future biochemists at high schools
Wednesday 26 October 2022
It is not an easy thing to keep a class of high school students quiet and attentive for 20 minutes. Our 300-level students have recently been sharing their enthusiasm for biochemistry with high school students throughout Dunedin as part of their their second semester assessments.
Promotion to Professor for statistical genomics specialist
Tuesday 18 October 2022
Congratulations to our own Michael Black who this year was promoted to Professor on the back of a stellar academic career bringing statistics to biomolecular research. Mik's focus is on using statistics and computational tools to wrangle the huge datasets integral to modern biomolecular research, mainly applied to human diseases such as cancer, but also in agricultural and horticultural research. His ability to form strong collaborations with researchers across many disciplines and places underpins his research success.
Five Otago researchers win at Queenstown and Sydney conferences
Wednesday 12 October 2022
The achievements of five emerging Otago researchers have been recognised at recent conferences.
Ulcer patch first in Department of Physiology to receive Smart Ideas funding
Wednesday 5 October 2022
Associate Professor Rajesh Katare has been granted funding to research the development of a novel, multi-use, off-the-shelf, biodegradable ulcer patch as an advanced wound-care product.
Mingling with Nobel Prize winners
Tuesday 20 September 2022
Mingling with Nobel Prize winners and connecting with hundreds of other young scientists from around the world is on the cards for two Otago students.
Members of Microbiology: Meet Francesca Hills
Monday 19 September 2022
University of Otago PhD candidate Francesca Hills is taking a closer look at 'fascinating' emerging infectious diseases.
PhD candidate Jordon Lima on reclaiming te reo Māori
Wednesday 14 September 2022
PhD candidate Jordon Lima believes that learning te reo Māori enables her and her whānau to reclaim and restore more than just their language, but also their culture, tikanga and Māori way of thinking.
Bringing peace to his country
Tuesday 30 August 2022
Lived experience is contributing in a very real way to one University of Otago student’s studies.
46th Meeting of the Biochemistry Department Research Society
Monday 29 August 2022
Last week the Department celebrated the hard work of our fourth year students at the 46th Meeting of the Biochemistry Department Research Society.
At this meeting, every fourth year student - including those studying for Honours and Master’s degrees - presents the research they have been working on in labs across the Department throughout the year. This is generally the first experience that these students have in a real academic research lab.
Online voting for Otago’s Three Minute Thesis competitors
Monday 29 August 2022
Online voting is now open for one of Otago's three Three Minute Thesis competitors – master's candidate Katie Fenton is up against universities from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Leading scientist awarded key research honour
Wednesday 24 August 2022
Leading structural biologist Associate Professor Peter Mace has been awarded one of the University of Otago’s highest research honours.
Otago researchers closer to treating heart disease in diabetic patients
Wednesday 24 August 2022
University of Otago researchers are closer to preventing immature death and improving the overall health of people with diabetes.
PhD graduate encourages Pacific peoples to pursue passion for science
Tuesday 23 August 2022
Dr Jaye Moors is honoured to be the first Pacific student to graduate with a PhD in Biochemistry from Otago, but she certainly hopes she’s not the last.
Leading scientist awarded key research honour
Tuesday 23 August 2022
Leading structural biologist Associate Professor Peter Mace is the recipient of the 2022 University of Otago Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal.
Challenges overcome to achieve doctorate
Thursday 18 August 2022
School of Biomedical Sciences researcher Jamie Manning is proud to have overcome several challenges to become the first member of his family to gain a PhD.
Restarting studies brings passionate master’s graduand full circle
Thursday 18 August 2022
This week’s graduation is a case of back to the future for Master of Accounting and Finance graduand Muhammad Zahid Hanif.
Members of Microbiology: Meet Olivia Paxie
Friday 12 August 2022
A sick grandfather, a love of science and a surprising discovery all played a part in PhD candidate Olivia Paxie’s journey from first-year health sciences to doctoral research.
DNA reveals history of Aotearoa’s manu
Thursday 11 August 2022
Previously shrouded in mystery, the evolutionary history of kōkako, huia, and tīeke saddlebacks have been revealed by a University of Otago study.
Art at the heart of Hei Maumaharatanga Memorial Wall project
Monday 8 August 2022
Work is underway on a small Dunedin campus construction project with cultural significance beyond its size.
Almost $24 million in HRC funding for School of Biomedical Sciences academics
Friday 5 August 2022
Ten out of the 22 successful Health Research Council (HRC) grants received by the University of Otago were for recipients based in the School of Biomedical Sciences (BMS).
School of Biomedical Sciences Postgraduate Symposium a success
Friday 5 August 2022
The School of Biomedical Sciences’ 2022 Postgraduate Symposium provided an opportunity for postgraduate students to present their research and celebrate their progress.
Professor Stephen Knowles’ journey to economic altruism and supporting charities
Friday 5 August 2022
Professor Stephen Knowles shares how his academic journey led him to the topic of economic altruism and how he is using this knowledge to support not-for-profit organisations.
First opportunity for many Otago Biochemistry postgrad students to share their research
Thursday 4 August 2022
The 2022 School of Biomedical Sciences Postgraduate Symposium was held last week at the University’s Student Union. This was the first time that many of the postgraduate students in the BMS have had the opportunity to attend or present their research at a scientific meeting in person, thanks to the pandemic.
Two Health Sciences Career Development Postdoctoral Fellowships for Biochemistry
Wednesday 3 August 2022
Dr Katerina Achilleos and Dr Liam Turk from the Department of Biochemistry have each been awarded one of the highly competitive Health Sciences Career Development Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Significant step on path to developing Alzheimer’s therapy
Monday 1 August 2022
A brain protein with high potential to delay or reverse the onset of Alzheimer’s disease has been exploited by University of Otago researchers.
Thirteen Murphy/Smith scholarships awarded for 2022
Wednesday 27 July 2022
Thirteen Murphy/Smith scholarships awarded for 2022.
Funding success for cancer research at Otago Biochemistry
Monday 18 July 2022
Two research proposals from the Biochemistry Department have made it through the highly competitive NZ HRC project funding application round this year.
Both projects aim to help improve cancer treatments using knowledge of biomolecules, but each uses a different approach. One uses the ability to catalogue the thousands of RNA molecules present in a single cell, and the other looks at just a few protein molecules, but in intricate detail.
Rhiannon Adams wins Marjorie McCallum MSc scholarship.
Friday 15 July 2022
Rhiannon Adams, who last year won the The Mervyn Smith Prize for the student with the highest level of attainment in biochemistry in the first year MSc class, has been awarded the Marjorie McCallum MSc scholarship for 2022.
School of Biomedical Sciences incorporating te reo Māori
Wednesday 13 July 2022
Students at the School of Biomedical Sciences have actively been incorporating te reo Māori into their teaching and learning experience.
New research provides insight into Long COVID and ME
Tuesday 12 July 2022
Researchers have uncovered how post-viral fatigue syndromes, including Long COVID, become life-changing diseases and why patients suffer frequent relapses.
Biomedical researchers awarded HRC grants
Friday 8 July 2022
Investigating how to prevent heart disease and treat diabetes so people do not lose limbs are the focus of two School of Biomedical Sciences academics who received HRC Explorer Grants.
Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu appointed member of the GPAC of the American Society for Virology
Tuesday 5 July 2022
Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu, of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, has been appointed as member of the new Global Partnerships and Advocacy Committee (GPAC) of the American Society for Virology.
Cromwell community supports Otago Biochemistry master’s student
Tuesday 21 June 2022
Master’s student Cait MacTaggart has the support of the Rotary and Lions Clubs in her hometown of Cromwell behind her as she launches into a career in health-related research.
Shalini Paul on researching diabetes in the midst of COVID-19
Thursday 16 June 2022
Having family members with diabetes makes Shalini Paul's search for treatment to heal wounds quicker in diabetics personal.
Biomedical Sciences student Julia Imo wins thrice
Tuesday 14 June 2022
The bioengineering postgrad student won three awards at the Startup Dunedin's Audacious event recently.
Jules Kieser Memorial Trust Award given again in 2022
Monday 13 June 2022
When Professor Jules Kieser passed away in 2014 he left a legacy which would live on for years to come.
‘Holy grail’ drug delivery invention secures US patent
Friday 10 June 2022
A University of Otago invention that achieves the “holy grail” of targeted delivery of drugs directly to the brain has been granted a US patent.
Members of Microbiology: Meet Callum August
Thursday 9 June 2022
PhD candidate Callum August hopes his research into tuberculosis will minimise Aotearoa New Zealand's health inequalities.
Dr Jemma Geoghegan only the second woman to win Prime Minister’s Emerging Scientist Prize
Tuesday 31 May 2022
The University of Otago’s Dr Jemma Geoghegan is only the second woman to have ever won the Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize.
Fighting COVID and demolishing stereotypes
Tuesday 31 May 2022
Dr Jemma Geoghegan wants to "demolish the stereotype of what a scientist looks like”.
Follow the glow
Monday 23 May 2022
The fascinating story of Professor Kurt Krause's research career, from fistfights and infectious diseases to crystals and glowworms
Master's 'challenging and rewarding'
Friday 20 May 2022
Graduating in absentia can be hard for any student wanting to celebrate but for Madeline McIntyre, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s possible – research
Thursday 19 May 2022
University of Otago researchers have discovered molecules in the blood that could assist with early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
Engineering led to PhD in biochemistry
Thursday 19 May 2022
Charles Shaw shares how his background in mechanical engineering not only led to his PhD in Biochemistry, but also complemented his research.
Biochemistry Graduation function
Tuesday 17 May 2022
On Saturday 14th May the Department of Biochemistry celebrated Otago's 2022 May graduation ceremony with a social function for graduates and their families.
Dunedin kids go Bananas! DNA activity at the museum.
Monday 16 May 2022
Dr Nathan Kenny ran a children's "DNA from bananas" activity at the museum on Saturday.
Research leader pushes nanomedicine hub in NZ
Wednesday 11 May 2022
New Zealand should become a nanomedicine production hub, says Dr Sarah Diermeier, an up-and-coming commercial researcher based here at Otago Biochemistry.
Scholarships awarded to Biomedical Sciences programme students
Wednesday 11 May 2022
The Biomedical Sciences programme awarded seven Elizabeth Jean Trotter Scholarships this year, contributing towards the tuition fees of high-achieving and well-rounded students.
Graduate an 'exceptional achiever'
Tuesday 10 May 2022
Hamish Aitken-Buck graduates this month with a PhD in Physiology as well as many other accolades that give testimony to his successes at the School of Biomedical Sciences.
Scientist and DJ graduates with PhD
Tuesday 10 May 2022
Passionate muso and dedicated scientist Katie Peppercorn shares her PhD journey and why it is important to be more than a ‘one-trick pony’.
School of Biomedical Sciences students Uaita Poutu and Lisa Biiri receive Toloa Tertiary School Scholarships
Tuesday 10 May 2022
The two students were elated to have each received a Toloa Tertiary School Scholarship from the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.
Biochemistry and Plant Biotechnology student awarded University of Otago’s top undergraduate prize
Thursday 8 February 2018
Biochemistry and Plant Biotechnology student Bridget Thomas has won the prestigious Prince of Wales Prize, University of Otago’s premier undergraduate award, awarded to the most outstanding student completing an undergraduate or honours degree.
