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Latest news from early-career researchers

supermarket aisle

03 Jun 2026

Hunger impacts eating decisions – Otago study


We are often told not to go to the supermarket on an empty stomach.

A birds eye view of a bowl of salad on a dark wooden table with a fork lying across the top of the bowl

29 May 2026

Kaupapa Māori-led approach needed for eating disorders – study


Researchers are calling for stronger investment in kaupapa Māori-led eating disorder services, after new research has re...

PhD candidate Helena Abolins-Thompson

08 May 2026

‘Doing right’ by community a driving force for researcher


For PhD candidate Helena Abolins-Thompson, being able to work closely with her community and whānau during her post-grad...

A woman presents at a conference

17 Mar 2026

Waste Less, Care More toolkit launches


Commerce graduate and current Food Science PhD candidate Elena Piere can now say she had a hand in preventing 13.1 tonne...

A composite image of Professor Julia Horsfield and Dr Megan Leask.

27 Jan 2026

DNA variants, zebrafish and a ‘wild idea’


A modest grant for a bold idea led to a new frontier in biomedical research and helped launch a brilliant career.

Royal-Society-honours-image

12 Nov 2025

Royal Society honours Otago researchers


Two University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers, at either end of their careers, have received Royal Society...

three people standing next to each other behind a table

06 Nov 2025

Re-established Research Centre funding welcome in ‘grim’ environment


Research centres are celebrating securing money from the recent Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago Research Centre...

Associate Professor Andrew Reynolds is Otago’s 2025 winner of the Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal, which recognises the outstanding research performance of early career staff.

30 Oct 2025

Award-winning researcher tackling disease through diet


At a time when diet-related diseases are among the world’s biggest health challenges, Associate Professor Andrew Reynold...

Megan-Leask-and-Katrina-Pōtiki-Bryant

21 Oct 2025

Award-winning wāhine integrating mātauranga Māori at Otago


The two Health Sciences Division wāhine recognised in this year’s Otago Research Awards are making a difference - not on...

Sequoia Short, pictured here explaining her educational escape room game to Logan Park High School pupils, will present her project at the QS Reimagine Education Conference in London next year.

03 Oct 2025

Māori data sovereignty kaupapa going international


A Teaching Fellow at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has the opportunity to present her mahi on the global stage.

A generic image of a woman sleeping

22 Sep 2025

Study puts youth bedtime routines under spotlight


Sleep guidelines suggest no screens, no exercise, and no food in the hour before bed, but do they work and how many youn...

Dr Zoe Tasma

11 Sep 2025

Next generation therapeutics a winner


Dr Zoe Tasma,  from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, has been named the winner of the 2025 Otago Innovatio...

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