Dr Stephanie Bozonet

Senior Research Fellow

BSc(Hons), PhD (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Email stephanie.bozonet@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 372 6781

Research interests

Dr Stephanie Bozonet graduated from Newcastle University in the UK with an honours degree in medical microbiology, followed by a PhD in redox cell biology and signalling. After postdoctoral work in Newcastle she moved to New Zealand, joining the Mātai Hāora – Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine in 2008.

Outside of academia, Dr Bozonet has also worked in the brewing and pharmaceutical industries, and has expertise in microbiology, cell and molecular biology, microscopy, flow cytometry, protein expression and analysis, enzyme kinetics, neutrophil function and HPLC.

Her research interests lie in the field of redox biology and the effects of oxidants on cell systems. She has been involved in several studies into the bioavailability of ascorbate (vitamin C), an essential enzyme co-factor as well as an important biological antioxidant, and its role in the immune system. Her current focus is on redox balance in innate immunity, and its contribution to inflammation and disease. Immune cells such as neutrophils produce oxidants to fight infection but they can also damage host cells and tissues. Dr Bozonet is interested in the effects of oxidants on the regulation of cell death pathways and on epigenetic regulation in immune cells.

In addition to her research and student supervision, Dr Bozonet is the biological compliance officer for Mātai Hāora - Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine, and is an elected health and safety worker representative. She is also part of the Wai Ora team: planning the layout of laboratory spaces, updating operational governance documentation and helping coordinate the move to the new facility in October 2026.

Affiliations

Publications

Pullar, J. M., Bozonet, S. M., Segger, D., von Seebach, A., Vlasiuk, E., Morrin, H. R., Pearson, J. F., Simcock, J., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2026). Improved human skin vitamin C levels and skin function after dietary intake of kiwifruit: A high-vitamin-C food. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 146(5), 1408-1411.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.587 Journal - Research Other

Peskin, A. V., Magon, N. J., & Bozonet, S. M. (2025). High-dose vitamin C blocks HOCl production by myeloperoxidase: A potential therapeutic strategy. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications, 776, 152213. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152213 Journal - Research Article

Hitchman, L. M., Magon, N. J., Miller, A. L., Sheen, C. R., Dunn, E., Bozonet, S. M., Pearson, J. F., … Faatoese, A., Merriman, T. R., Kettle, A. J., & Kennedy, M. A. (2025). CYP2D6*71 is a poor metaboliser allele common in Polynesian and Māori people and absent from Europeans. Proceedings of the Genetics Otago (GO) Annual Symposium. Retrieved from https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/go Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Heath, S. G., Gray, S. G., Hamzah, E. M., O'Connor, K. M., Bozonet, S. M., Botha, A. D., de Cordovez, P., Sethi, A., … Goebl, C. (2024, November). Amyloid formation and depolymerization of tumour suppressor p16INK4a are regulated by a thiol-dependent redox mechanism. Verbal presentation at the 32nd Meeting of The Society for Redox Research Australasia (SFRRA) and 11th Joint Meeting with The Society for Free Radical Research Japan (SFRRJ), Canberra, Australia. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Gray, S. G., Heath, S. G., Hamzah, E. M., Botha, A. D., O'Connor, K. M., Bozonet, S. M., … Göbl, C. (2024, September). Cancer-associated mutations of tumour suppressor p16^INK4a increase the propensity for amyloid fibril formation. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Research Week (QRW) Biomolecular Interactions Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2026

Journal - Research Other

2025

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2024

Journal - Research Article

Heath, S. G., Gray, S. G., Hamzah, E., O'Connor, K. M., Bozonet, S. M., Botha, A. D., de Cordovez, P., Magon, N. J., Naughton, J. D., … Göbl, C. (2024). Amyloid formation and depolymerization of tumor suppressor p16^INK4a are regulated by a thiol-dependent redox mechanism. Nature Communications, 15(1), 5535. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49581-7

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Ayora, I., Graham, O., Miller, A., Bozonet, S., Helem, S., & Kennedy, M. (2024). Analysis of gene expression impacts of valproate on a human induced pluripotent stem cell line using long read RNA-sequencing. Proceedings of the 17th GeneMappers Conference. Retrieved from https://www.genemappersconference.org

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Heath, S. G., Gray, S. G., Hamzah, E., O'Connor, K. M., Bozonet, S. M., Botha, A. D., de Cordovez, P., Magon, N. J., Schwartfeger, A. J., … Göbl, C., & Morris, V. K. (2024, September). Redox-controlled amyloid formation and disassembly of the tumour suppressor protein p16. Verbal presentation at the 34th Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting (QMB), Queenstown, New Zealand.

2023

Journal - Research Article

Praditi, C., Bozonet, S. M., Dachs, G. U., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2023). Ascorbate uptake and retention by breast cancer cell lines and the intracellular distribution of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2. Antioxidants, 12, 1929. doi: 10.3390/antiox12111929

Bozonet, S. M., Magon, N. J., Schwartfeger, A. J., Konigstorfer, A., Heath, S. G., Vissers, M. C. M., … Göbl, C., … Hampton, M. B. (2023). Oxidation of caspase-8 by hypothiocyanous acid enables TNF-mediated necroptosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 299(6), 104792. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104792

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Praditi, C., Dachs, G., Bozonet, S., Pearson, J. A., Wiggins, G., & Vissers, M. (2023). The role of ascorbate in the activation of hypoxic response in breast cancer cell lines. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB) 50th Anniversary Conference. Retrieved from https://www.nzsbmb.org/conference

Schwartfeger, A., Bozonet, S. M., Magon, N. J., Göbl, C., Morris, V. K., & Hampton, M. B. (2023). Oxidation triggered amyloid assembly of the cell death regulator caspase-8. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB) 50th Anniversary Conference. Retrieved from https://www.nzsbmb.org/conference

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goebl, C., Heath, S., O'Connor, K. M., Bozonet, S., Botha, A., Smith, B., Hamzah, E., … Sethi, A., & Morris, V. K. (2023, August). A novel amyloid formation mechanism: Oxidation-induced transition of the tumour suppressor protein p16 into amyloid fibrils. Verbal presentation at the 33rd Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting (QMB), Queenstown, New Zealand.

2021

Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S., Pullar, J., Spencer, E., Rosengrave, P., & Shaw, G. (2021). Neutrophils isolated from septic patients exhibit elevated uptake of vitamin C and normal intracellular concentrations despite a low vitamin C milieu. Antioxidants, 10(10), 1607. doi: 10.3390/antiox10101607

2019

Journal - Research Article

Talla, U., Bozonet, S. M., Parker, H. A., Hampton, M. B., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2019). Prolonged exposure to hypoxia induces an autophagy-like cell survival program in human neutrophils. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 106, 1367-1379. doi: 10.1002/jlb.4a0319-079rr

Tang, J. S., Bozonet, S. M., McKenzie, J. L., Anderson, R. F., Melton, L. D., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2019). Physiological concentrations of blueberry-derived phenolic acids reduce monocyte adhesion to human endothelial cells. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 63, 1900478. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201900478

Bozonet, S. M., & Carr, A. C. (2019). The role of physiological vitamin C concentrations on key functions of neutrophils isolated from healthy individuals. Nutrients, 11(6), 1363. doi: 10.3390/nu11061363

2018

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2018). High vitamin C status is associated with elevated mood in male tertiary students. Antioxidants, 7(7), 91. doi: 10.3390/antiox7070091

Tang, J. S., Vissers, M. C. M., Anderson, R. F., Sreebhavan, S., Bozonet, S. M., Scheepens, A., & Melton, L. D. (2018). Bioavailable blueberry-derived phenolic acids at physiological concentrations enhance Nrf2-regulated antioxidant responses in human vascular endothelial cells. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 62(5), 1700647. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201700647

2017

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Rosengrave, P., Kettle, A. J., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). Elevated seminal plasma myeloperoxidase is associated with a decreased sperm concentration in young men. Andrology, 5(3), 431-438. doi: 10.1111/andr.12327

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Bozonet, S., Hampton, M., & Vissers, M. (2017, September). Hypothiocyanous acid protects endothelial cells from hypochlorous acid-mediated death. Poster session presented at the European Cell Death Organisation (ECDO)25gth Conference: Cell Death and Immunity in Disease: From Molecules to Translational Medicine, Leuven, Belgium.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Talla, U. R., Parker, H., Bozonet, S., Hampton, M., & Vissers, M. (2017, July). An altered cell death pathway for neutrophils in a hypoxic environment. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Society for Immunology (NZ ASI) Annual Scientific Meeting, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Hampton, M. B., Dickerhof, N., Pace, P. E., & Bozonet, S. M. (2017, July). Redox signalling and the regulation of immune cell life and death. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Society for Immunology (NZ ASI) Annual Scientific Meeting, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2016

Journal - Research Article

Campbell, E. J., Vissers, M. C. M., Wohlrab, C., Hicks, K. O., Strother, R. M., Bozonet, S. M., Robinson, B. A., & Dachs, G. U. (2016). Pharmacokinetic and anti-cancer properties of high dose ascorbate in solid tumours of ascorbate-dependent mice. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 99, 451-462. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.08.027

Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., Bozonet, S. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2016). Marginal ascorbate status (Hypovitaminosis C) results in an attenuated response to vitamin C supplementation. Nutrients, 8(6), 341. doi: 10.3390/nu8060341

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Campbell, E., Vissers, M., Wohlrab, C., Hicks, K., Strother, M., Robinson, B., Bozonet, S., & Dachs, G. (2016). High-dose ascorbate administration increases tumor ascorbate levels and decreases hypoxia-inducible factor-1 activity and tumor growth in mice. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 100(Suppl.), (pp. S132). doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.10.346

Talla, U. R., Bozonet, S., Parker, H., Hampton, M., & Vissers, M. (2016). Inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis and initiation of an autophagy-like process in hypoxia and effects on neutrophil function. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 100(Suppl.), (pp. S63). doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.10.166

Vissers, M. C. M., Campbell, E. J., Kuiper, C., Carr, A. C., Wohlrab, C., Bozonet, S. M., Morrin, H., Robinson, B. A., & Dachs, G. U. (2016). Ascorbate as an anti-cancer therapy? Investigations into feasibility and potential mechanism of action. Proceedings of the Diagnostics, Drugs, Devices, Discovery (D4) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/d4/index.html

2015

Journal - Research Article

Bozonet, S. M., Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2015). Enhanced human neutrophil vitamin C status, chemotaxis and oxidant generation following dietary supplementation with vitamin C-rich SunGold kiwifruit. Nutrients, 7(4), 2574-2588. doi: 10.3390/nu7042574

Campbell, E. J., Vissers, M. C. M., Bozonet, S., Dyer, A., Robinson, B. A., & Dachs, G. U. (2015). Restoring physiological levels of ascorbate slows tumor growth and moderates HIF-1 pathway activity in Gulo^−/− mice. Cancer Medicine, 4(2), 303-314. doi: 10.1002/cam4.349

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Carr, A., Pullar, J., Bozonet, S., & Vissers, M. (2015). Marginal ascorbate status (hypovitaminosis C) results in an attenuated response to supplementation. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 39, (pp. 71). Sydney, Australia: Nutrition Society of Australia. [Abstract]

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Campbell, E. J., Bozonet, S. M., Robinson, B. A., Vissers, M. C. M., & Dachs, G. U. (2014). Restoring physiological levels of ascorbate alleviates HIF-1 activation and reduces tumour growth in Gulo^-/- mice. Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 105th Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/aacr-annual-meeting-2014.aspx

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Campbell, E. J., Bozonet, S., Robinson, B. A., Vissers, M. C. M., & Dachs, G. U. (2014, August). Pharmacokinetic and anti-cancer properties of high dose vitamin C in tumour bearing Gulo^-/- mice. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2013

Chapter in Book - Research

Vissers, M. C. M., Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., & Bozonet, S. M. (2013). The bioavailability of vitamin C from kiwifruit. In M. Boland & P. J. Moughan (Eds.), Nutritional benefits of kiwifruit. (pp. 125-147). Waltham, MA: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394294-4.00007-9

Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). A randomised cross-over pharmacokinetic bioavailability study of synthetic versus kiwifruit-derived vitamin C. Nutrients, 5(11), 4451-4461. doi: 10.3390/nu5114451

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., Simcock, J. W., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). A randomized steady-state bioavailability study of synthetic versus natural (kiwifruit-derived) vitamin C. Nutrients, 5(9), 3684-3695. doi: 10.3390/nu5093684

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Mood improvement in young adult males following supplementation with gold kiwifruit, a high-vitamin C food. Journal of Nutritional Science, 2, e24. doi: 10.1017/jns.2013.12

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., Simcock, J. W., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Human skeletal muscle ascorbate is highly responsive to changes in vitamin C intake and plasma concentrations. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97, 800-807. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.053207

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Mood and vitality improvement in young adult males following supplementation with gold kiwifruit, a high vitamin C food. Australasian Medical Journal, 6(11), (pp. 667). [Abstract]

Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., Bozonet, S. M., Moran, S., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Bioavailability of vitamin C from a common food source (kiwifruit) in young adult males. Australasian Medical Journal, 6(11), (pp. 658). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., Simcock, J. W., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013, August). Human skeletal muscle ascorbate is highly responsive to changes in vitamin C intake and plasma concentrations. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013, August). Mood improvement and reduced fatigue in young adult males following supplementation with kiwifruit, a high vitamin C food. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Vissers, M. C. M., Kuiper, C., Dachs, G. U., Campbell, E., Pujary, U.-R., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Carr, A. C. (2013, August). The role of vitamin C in managing metabolic stress and its impact in tumour biology and inflammation. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2011

Journal - Research Article

Vissers, M. C. M., Bozonet, S. M., Pearson, J. F., & Braithwaite, L. J. (2011). Dietary ascorbate intake affects steady state tissue concentrations in vitamin C-deficient mice: Tissue deficiency after suboptimal intake and superior bioavailability from a food source (kiwifruit). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93, 292-301. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.004853

2010

Journal - Research Article

Bozonet, S. M., Scott-Thomas, A. J., Nagy, P., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2010). Hypothiocyanous acid is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis and caspase 3 activation in endothelial cells. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 49(6), 1054-1063. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2010.06.028

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Bozonet, S. (2010, September). Hypothiocyanous acid is a selective inhibitor of caspase activation and apoptosis. Poster session presented at the 18th Euroconference on Apoptosis and the 7th Training Course on 'Concepts and Methods in Programmed Cell Death', Ghent, Belgium.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Bozonet, S. M., Scott-Thomas, A., Nagy, P., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2010, November-December). Hypothiocyanous acid is a selective inhibitor of caspase activation and apoptosis. Verbal presentation at the Society for Free Radical Research (SFRR) Australasia 19th Annual Conference, Akaroa, New Zealand.

Vissers, M. C. M., Bozonet, S. M., & Kuiper, C. (2010, November-December). The vital role of ascorbate as an enzyme co-factor and implications for its role in health and nutrition. Verbal presentation at the Society for Free Radical Research (SFRR) Australasia 19th Annual Conference, Akaroa, New Zealand.

2009

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Morgan, B., Veal, E., Bozonet, S., Day, A., Findley, V., & Ross, S. (2009). The regulation of oxidative stress responses using yeast as a model organism. Mutagenesis, 24(1), (pp. 100). doi: 10.1093/mutage/gen055

Vissers, M., & Bozonet, S. (2009). Oxidative stress in the blood vessel wall and the development of atherosclerosis. Journal of Vascular Research, 46(Suppl. 2), (pp. 11). doi: 10.1159/000230992

Bozonet, S. M., Scott-Thomas, A., Nagy, P., & Vissers, M. (2009). Hypothiocyanous acid is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis and caspase 3 activation. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 47(Suppl. 1), (pp. S55). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Bozonet, S. (2009, August). Hypothiocyanous acid is a selective inhibitor of caspase activation and apoptosis. Poster session presented at the 14th Australian and New Zealand Microcirculation Society (ANZMS) Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Bozonet, S. (2009, November). Hypothiocyanous acid is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis and caspase 3. Poster session presented at the Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine (SFRBM) 16th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.

2008

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Bozonet, S. (2008, November). Hypothiocyanous acid targets endothelial intracellular proteins. Poster session presented at the Society for Free Radical Research Australasia Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

2006

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Bozonet, S. M. (2006). Role of peroxiredoxins in the stress responses of schizosaccharomyces pombe (PhD). University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, UK. 247p.

2005

Journal - Research Article

Bozonet, S. M., Findlay, V. J., Day, A. M., Cameron, J., Veal, E. A., & Morgan, B. A. (2005). Oxidation of a eukaryotic 2-Cys peroxiredoxin is a molecular switch controlling the transcriptional response to increasing levels of hydrogen peroxide. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280(24), 23319-23327. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M502757200

2004

Journal - Research Article

Veal, E. A., Findlay, V. J., Day, A. M., Bozonet, S. M., Evans, J. M., Quinn, J., & Morgan, B. A. (2004). A 2-Cys peroxiredoxin regulates peroxide-induced oxidation and activation of a stress-activated MAP kinase. Molecular Cell, 15(1), 129-139.

Research interests

Affiliations

Publications

2026

Journal - Research Other

2025

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2024

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2023

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2021

Journal - Research Article

2019

Journal - Research Article

2018

Journal - Research Article

2017

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2016

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2015

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

2013

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2011

Journal - Research Article

2010

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2009

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

2008

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

2006

Awarded Doctoral Degree

2005

Journal - Research Article

2004

Journal - Research Article

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