UC Science

UC to train Associate Psychologists for mental health workforce | University of Canterbury A new Postgraduate Diploma in Associate Psychology will be developed at UC to help address mental health workforce shortages in New Zealand.

You might see some familiar faces in advertising soon! These amazing, passionate students are the new faces for the Faculty of Science. 🎥 Thank you for sharing your stories with us, Victoria, Marcus, Mrinalini, Lydia, Katie, and Nathan! 🙌

Explore the Antarctic with UC's Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies!

Are you fascinated by the Antarctic and eager to advance your career in this unique field? The University of Canterbury offers the Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies (PGCertAntaStud), perfect for graduates and professionals looking to deepen their expertise.

➤ Who is it for?
• Professionals in organisations dealing with Antarctic matters.
• Graduates from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts.
• Teachers and researchers wishing to focus on Antarctic topics.
• Current and aspiring Antarctic tour guides.
• Anyone with an interest in Antarctic studies and research.

➤ Why choose this programme?
• Innovative experiential education with interactive lectures, workshops, and symposia.
• Fieldtrip to the Canterbury High Country for team-building skills.
• Antarctic community placement to apply your skills in real-world settings.
• Taught by over 20 world-leading Antarctic experts.

➤ Outcomes:
• Prepare for further research in a world-class environment.
• Launchpad for the Master of Antarctic Studies (MASt).
• Career opportunities in policy development, environmental management, research, and more...

📅 July start. Applications close 31 March 2025, and spaces are limited.

Apply now and be part of the future of Antarctic research!
Visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/academic-study/qualifications/postgraduate-certificate-in-

A rare ichthyosaur fossil discovered in North Canterbury, New Zealand, has provided new insights into these extinct marine reptiles.

Unearthed in 2010 by palaeontologist Dr James Crampton and recently studied by UC researchers Paul Scofield, George Young, and Vanesa De Pietri, the specimen is the most complete ichthyosaur skeleton found in the country, dating back approximately 98 million years.

Advanced imaging techniques, including medical CT scanning, revealed well-preserved bones, such as parts of the skull, shoulder, pelvis, and flippers.

This discovery enhances our understanding of ichthyosaur diversity and distribution in the Southern Hemisphere, indicating possible regional differences among populations during the Late Cretaceous period.

Read their article on The Conversation:

The discovery of a rare new fossil sheds light on NZ’s extinct dolphin-like reptiles The discovery of the most complete ichthyosaur skeleton known from New Zealand sheds new light on the diversity of these ancient dolphin-like marine reptiles in the southern hemisphere.

In partnership with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, UC students George Hamilton and Renee Martin were part of a team that explored how hedgerows and shelterbelts impact wildfire risk.

Motivated by personal experiences, George and Renee developed mitigation strategies like planting native species, creating breaks in shelterbelts, and positioning hedgerows further from buildings to reduce fire risk. They also created a risk index to identify high-risk areas and empower communities to act.

This hands-on Bachelor of Science project, supervised by Associate Professor Marwan Katurji, combines geospatial analysis with community collaboration, providing valuable insights for fire behavior prediction and prevention. Fire and Emergency plans to expand the partnership next year, with hopes of scaling the research nationwide and beyond. 🌍💡

Read the article: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2025/research-sheds-light-on-fire-risk-for-canterbury

Join us this Wednesday 11 December for the third talk in the Antarctic Summer Science Lecture Series, presented by Professor Jenny Adams, University of Canterbury & Professor Albrecht Karle, University of Wisconsin-Madison, titled "The Telescope in the Ice: Neutrino Astronomy at the South Pole”.

The Series is hosted by Gateway Antarctica and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States in Wellington, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U. S. Antarctic Program (USAP), Antarctica New Zealand, and the Antarctic Office.

When: Wednesday 11th December, 5.30pm - 6.30pm.
Where: Central Lecture Theatres, C3, University of Canterbury

No reservation required.

Learn more: https://www.comnap.aq/antarctic-summer-science-lecture-series

Celebrating 20 years of innovation, the GeoHealth Lab has been a leader in combining geospatial science and public health.

For two decades, the team has worked to address major health challenges across Aotearoa New Zealand. Their research has guided national campaigns and local projects, helping to create healthier urban spaces and supporting communities facing climate risks.

Looking ahead, the GeoHealth Lab remains focused on improving public health through informed data-driven solutions.

Read more:

NZ’s GeoHealth Lab: 20 years of impactful research | University of Canterbury Celebrating 20 years since its founding, the University of Canterbury’s (UC) GeoHealth Laboratory remains a unique resource in the Southern Hemisphere.

Recent insights from Professor Julia Rucklidge highlight the profound connection between nutrition and mental well-being. Her research emphasises how the right dietary choices can significantly influence mood and cognitive function.

Listen to the interview on RNZ:

You are what you eat: Professor Julia Rucklidge Renowned clinical psychologist Professor Julia Rucklidge has spent decades researching the relationship between diet and mental health. Once a sceptic, she has consistently found vitamins and minerals can improve mental health outcomes through controlled trials.

After 12 years trapped in a cavern in the Port Hills, the C-II ring laser, an international collaboration used for global atmospheric studies, has been rescued and reinstated in UC's Ernest Rutherford building.

We were thrilled to host its launch last week, with the German Ambassador to New Zealand Nicole Menzenbach and Professor Ulrich Schreiber of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Adjunct Professor of UC, in attendance (pictured).

C-II's recovery was a multi-year effort with support from MBIE, Christchurch City Council, and the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Read more about the laser and its recovery:

Germany and NZ celebrate return of laser trapped in cavern | University of Canterbury After a decade trapped underground, the unique C-II ring laser, symbolising New Zealand-Germany scientific ties, has been restored by the University of Canterbury.

UC researchers are making waves! 🌊 Professor Tom Bennett, a recent addition to UC Science from the University of Cambridge, has received a Marsden Fund grant for his pioneering research on a new type of high-strength glass with the potential to revolutionise LED lighting and solar energy. 🌍

His project is one of 10 UC initiatives awarded 2024 Marsden Fund grants from the Royal Society Te Apārangi, contributing to a combined $7.34 million in research funding over the next three years. Exciting things are on the horizon! 💡🌞

Read more here: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2024/cutting-edge-glass-tech-project-gains-marsden-funding

Dr Fiona Cross will be joining Nerd Nite next week! She will be sharing photos and stories about the "Mosquito Terminator" spider, the Evarcha culicivora. 🕷️

Location: A Rolling Stone in Christchurch
When: 6 November, 6:30pm - 8:20pm

Get your ticket through Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/nerd-nite-chch-26

Professor Ben Kennedy, volcanologist and winner of the 2023 Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize will deliver a talk on the 'Silly and Serious Sides of Volcano Science Communication' on Tuesday 12 November from 6.30pm - 8pm at Ara in the Christchurch CBD.

The event, hosted by the Prime Minister's Science Prizes and Royal Society Te Apārangi, is open to all. Get your free ticket: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/the-silly-and-serious-sides-of-volcano-science-communication-christchurch

University of Canterbury

The silly and serious sides of volcano science communication - CHRISTCHURCH Professor Ben Kennedy, 2023 winner of the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize, on his diverse volcano science communication experiences.

Join us for this exciting public lecture on Monday 21 October with Dr. Alan Stern, who will share insights about NASA's historic New Horizons mission, which explored Pluto and Kuiper Belt Object Arrokoth.

Dr. Alan Stern is a flown commercial astronaut, planetary scientist, space program executive, aerospace consultant, speaker, and author. He has explored the wreck of the RMS Titanic, and leads NASA’s $1B New Horizons mission that explored the Pluto system and is now exploring the Kuiper Belt—the farthest exploration in the history of humankind. He has twice been named in the Time 100.

Register now:

PUBLIC LECTURE- New Horizons: The Farthest Exploration of Worlds in History Get tickets on Humanitix - PUBLIC LECTURE- New Horizons: The Farthest Exploration of Worlds in History hosted by School of Physical and Chemical Sciences. Central Lecture Theatres, University of Canterbury. , Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand. Monday 21st October 2024. Find event information.

Dr. Mia Wege and colleagues are using Weddell seals as living data collectors in the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica.

These "natural oceanographers" provide valuable information during harsh winter storms, where traditional methods struggle.

The seals' data helps scientists understand how melting ice impacts ocean circulation and potentially reveals tipping points related to climate change.

This approach offers a novel and effective way to gather crucial data from a challenging environment.

Read more:

Seals are unlocking Antarctic secrets | University of Canterbury Seals in Antarctica are key to UC researchers like Dr. Mia Wege, offering critical data to uncover climate change impacts and support marine conservation efforts.

University of Canterbury PhD candidate Eva Nielsen has developed a new dataset called AntAir ICE to study temperature trends in Antarctica from 2003 to 2021.

This research found significant warming in the Ross Sea region and cooling in the Antarctic Peninsula and parts of Eastern Antarctica. The dataset is vital for understanding temperature extremes and their implications for ice shelf stability and biodiversity.

Nielsen's work also analyzed Antarctica's largest heatwave in March 2022, which has critical implications for New Zealand and Antarctic ecosystems.

Read the article: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2024/new-research-finds-significant-warming-of-ross-sea-region