The 400-level biochemistry students of 2026 hold up their gift spatulas. Front row from left: Max Woodhouse, Cushla Bridges, Tahlia Gerrand, Daniel Dachs. Second row from left: Sian Moloney, Erinna Mitchell, Nevan O’Connell, Max Spiers, Monica (Ruoyu) Zhang, Thomas Smith, Bernard Pieters. Absent: Carrie Liu.
The University of Otago's Department of Biochemistry celebrated a significant milestone last week, hosting the 50th annual Meeting of the Biochemistry Department Research Society.
A longstanding tradition within the department, the Research Society Meeting brings together staff and students to hear 400-level students present the progress of their research projects. The event showcases the breadth of research taking place across the department while recognising the students taking their first steps into serious scientific investigation.
This year's meeting featured presentations from 12 students, who shared their research journeys, outlining their projects, the work they have completed so far, and what they hope to achieve before submitting their final dissertations.
The diverse range of topics highlighted the department's wide-ranging research strengths.
Some projects revolved around the study of particular proteins - developing methods to produce type 1 cannabinoid receptors in the laboratory, investigating how peroxiredoxin proteins function in cellular signalling, and examining details of how photosynthetic machinery in cyanobacteria are renewed.
Two projects explored the molecular mechanisms behind rare developmental genetic disorders, and four projects focused on cancer - improving models of cancer, developing new diagnostic tests, advancing immunotherapies, and better understanding why some cancers occur. Another project had a plant focus - how flowering in ryegrass is influenced by interrupted night-time light exposure; and yet another project was entirely computational - creating tools to discover new functional RNAs.
The day also included opportunities for socialising, with lunch provided by the department, and an afternoon tea supplied by the 400-level students themselves, featuring an impressive array of home baking, a tradition of the annual event. As is also traditional, the 400-level students were each presented with a keepsake, a metal lab spatula engraved with their name.
Many current staff members and postgraduate students once stood in the same position as this year's presenters, having themselves delivered talks at previous Research Society meetings. Attendees tested their institutional knowledge in a quiz that challenged them to match current staff and postgraduate students with the titles of their 400-level research presentations.
To mark the historic occasion, Professor Catherine Day presented a retrospective look at the careers of former 400-level students, highlighting alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions to science both in New Zealand and internationally. Historical group photographs of department staff and students also provided a glimpse into the department's journey over the decades.
Why was the Research Society Meeting started in 1976? Biochemistry became a separate department much earlier, when it split from Physiology in 1949. It was only after moving into its own purpose-built building in 1971 that the department entered a period of significant growth, recruiting new academic staff and increasing student numbers. The Research Society Meeting was established to provide these students with an opportunity to present and discuss their research. Fifty years on, the event remains a cornerstone of the Department of Biochemistry, celebrating both its scientific research and the next generation of researchers.
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Clockwise from top left: View of the beginning of the meeting from behind a copy of the abstract booklet. Erinna Mitchell gives the first talk on her project about establishing a method to make type 1 cannabinoid receptors in the lab. Proceedings concluded with Associate Professor Craig Marshall cutting a special chocolate cake to commemorate the 50th meeting. Professor Catherine Day presents an historic photo of the newly built Biochemistry building to the meeting.