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MS (Tenn), PhD DipEd (Otago) CText FTI HonFTI

Mob +64 27 399 9912
Email raechel.laing@otago.ac.nz
Office hours: by arrangement

ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0607-0037

Google  Scholar: Raechel M Laing

Researchgate: researchgate.net/profile/Raechel-Laing

Laing's expertise lies in the structure, performance, and functionalising of fibres, fabrics, and finished products, especially interactions these have with the human body. Her research supervision of postgraduate students and external engagement has been centred in these general fields.

For more than 40 years she has been active in fibre and textiles, with international and national collaborations, e.g., in research, international and national standards (ISO, AS/NZS), textiles professional bodies, laboratory practices (NATA).

Laing directed the Clothing and Textiles Centre, University of Otago, a Centre established to assist with scientific and technical investigations for industry and the wider community. From 2017 to 2025 she was the University of Otago's PI for the NZ Product Accelerator. She represents the NZPA on the Future of Fibres Aotearoa Steering Group.

Research and teaching expertise

Material sciences

Manufacturing/process technologies/sciences in which the textile/material is considered as a two- and three-dimensional structure. Research focuses on the relationships between raw materials (fibres, skins), yarn, and fabric structures, and properties and performance of end products.

Clothing and materials in human health and performance

Research focuses on how the textile/product elements can be engineered to enhance human health, protection and/or human physiological behaviour (e.g. textiles and skin health, physiological effects of compression garments; properties and performance of clothing systems in preventing injury or minimising its severity (workplaces, sport)).

Postgraduate supervision

Theses supervised included those required for doctoral and masters' degrees, and for the postgraduate diploma (examples only listed).

PhD

  • Abdolmaleki, Sahar, Skin hydration under wet fabrics (2022)
    Supervisors: C A Wilson, R M Laing – formally recognised by the Division of Sciences as thesis of exceptional quality
  • Wilson, S A, Apparel fabrics as sensors (2021)
    Supervisors: R M Laing, Tan Eng (Chemistry), C A Wilson
  • Kankariya Nimesh, Textiles and compression of the lower limb (2021)
    Supervisors: R M Laing, C A Wilson – formally recognised by the Division of Sciences as thesis of exceptional quality
  • Islam, M T, Three-dimensional electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds (3DENS) constructs for skin tissue engineering and wound dressing (2019)
    Supervisors:  A Ali, M McConnell (Microbiology), C A Wilson, R M Laing
  • Smith, C A, Pre-European Māori textiles from South Island New Zealand (2014)
    Supervisors: R M Laing, R Walter (Anthropology) – formally recognised the Division of Sciences as a thesis of exceptional quality
  • Van Amber, R, Sock materials and their interactions with the foot (2013)
    Supervisors: R M Laing, C A Wilson, B Lowe and S Collie
  • McQueen, R H, Axillary odour in apparel textiles (2007)
    Supervisors: R M Laing and C A Wilson – formally recognised by the Division of Sciences as a thesis of exceptional quality

Master's

  • Nicholl, B G, Removal of odorous compounds and microorganisms in domestic front-loader washing machines (2022)
    Supervisors: M Jones (Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland) and R M Laing
  • Swart, Jano, Fibrous structures for absorption of low-level impact energy (2020)
    Supervisors: R M Laing and S Collie (AgResearch)
  • Morris, H V, Nurturing and crafting new bone – a woven work of fibre and orthopaedic science (2017)
    Supervisor: R M Laing
  • Palmer, G, Efficacy of a silver treated textile for prevention of microbial activity (2016)
    Supervisors: R M Laing, C A Wilson and P Bremer (Food Science)
  • Wells, S, Transdermal drug delivery using fabrics (2013)
    Supervisors: R M Laing, C A Wilson, C Strachan (Pharmacy)
  • MacRae, B A, Sporting compression garments: physical properties and physiological effects during endurance exercise (2009)
    Supervisors: R M Laing and J Cotter (Physical Education)

Current memberships

  • International Council, The Textile Institute; Chair TINZ
  • The Textile Institute (Chartered textile technologist and Honorary fellow)
  • The Royal Society (NZ)

Publications

McQueen, R. H., Eyres, G. T., & Laing, R. M. (2024). Textile sorption and release of odorous volatile organic compounds from a synthetic sweat solution. Textile Research Journal, 94(21-22), 2392-2405. doi: 10.1177/00405175241249462 Journal - Research Article

Richter, T. M., Laing, R. M., & Bremer, P. J. (2021). Binding and release of odor compounds from textiles: Changing fiber selection for apparel. Textile Research Journal, 91(7-8), 709-716. doi: 10.1177/0040517520957397 Journal - Research Article

Islam, M. T., Al Sharmin, A., Laing, R., McConnell, M., & Ali, M. A. (2024). Bead-free electrospun nanofibrous scaffold made of PVOH/keratin/chitosan using a Box-Behnken experimental design and in vitro studies. Polysaccharides, 5, 112-128. doi: 10.3390/polysaccharides5020009 Journal - Research Article

Islam, M. T., Laing, R. M., Wilson, C. A., McConnell, M., & Ali, M. A. (2022). Fabrication and characterization of 3-dimensional electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)/keratin/chitosan nanofibrous scaffold. Carbohydrate Polymers, 275, 118682. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118682 Journal - Research Article

Lowrey, S., Dupas, J., & Laing, R. M. (2021). Performance of a heat-and-vent electric dryer for textiles in household conditions: A New Zealand case study. Energy Efficiency, 14, 63. doi: 10.1007/s12053-021-09955-y Journal - Research Article

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