Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at Otago

Congratulations to Dr Stephanie Waller, who has been awarded the 2026 Zonta Science Award for her work on viruses in New Zealand wildlife and her commitment to advancing women in science.

Stephanie, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, researches the diversity, evolution, and transmission of viruses in wildlife, particularly birds and other ecologically important species in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her work helps improve understanding of emerging infectious diseases, biosecurity risks, biodiversity conservation, and public health.
The Zonta Science Award is presented biennially and recognises excellence and achievement by women in science.

Amanda Maxwell, President of the Zonta Club of Wellington, said Stephanie's work demonstrates the value of investing in scientific research and emerging scientific leaders.

Read more about Stephanie’s work here
https://www.otago.ac.nz/about/news/newsroom/talent-for-researching-emerging-viruses-recognised

A new University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study has put its own spin on the Pavlov’s Dog experiment, shining a light on how our brain learns new things.

In the original 1890s experiment, physiologist Ivan Pavlov trained dogs to associate the sound of a click or a bell with the imminent delivery of food by repeatedly feeding them after the sound. The dogs were so used to this pairing that they would salivate when hearing the sound, even if they were not fed.

In the new study, researchers replicated this on rodents by pairing a flash of light with a reward. In doing so, they discovered a mechanism in the brain that explains how the light – which previously had no inherent value – gains significance as something positive, and the role this mechanism plays in the learning process.

Lead author Professor John Reynolds, from the Department of Anatomy, says when something important and valuable happens, our brain constantly tries to discover what we did to cause it.

Read more here

Learning new skills using lights and rewards – Otago study A new University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study has put its own spin on the Pavlov’s Dog experiment, shining a light on how our brain learns new things.

Congratulations to Professor Jemma Geoghegan, who is off to St Andrews in Scotland sometime in the next year after winning a fellowship award.

Jemma is an evolutionary biologist and virologist with a strong focus on emerging infectious disease. Her work in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology uses metagenomics to reveal the diversity, structure and evolution of the virosphere; examining the evolution of major viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2; and developing new analytical and computational approaches to analyse aspects of virus evolution.

Founded in 1413, the University of St Andrews is the third oldest university in the English-speaking world, known for its rich history as well as cutting-edge research and teaching. The University’s Global Fellowship Scheme recognises researchers who are significant or emerging leaders in their field. The visit allows scholars to advance ongoing research, explore new collaborations and deepen existing international partnerships.

Jemma is looking forward to fostering collaborations and to present talks about her research to other academics and students.

Manaaki Scholar Latu Mafi shares her experience of studying at Otago and why it's important to make the most of every opportunity.

Based in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Latu arrived in Dunedin from Tonga in 2023 at the start of Semester two.
She faced the personal challenge of having no connections here, and the academic challenge of starting a semester later than other students.
“I came to Dunedin with no family and virtually no friends. I was just this one person who came in the middle of the year, not knowing anyone. My solution to this was just ‘don’t say no’ to invitations unless I had school. If the reason I said no was because I was scared, that wasn’t a good enough reason. I really tried to participate in things, and soon enough, within a few weeks I was very comfortable at St Margaret’s College, and I made some really good friends.”

Latu was able to overcome the struggles that came with starting in semester two, by getting help from University course and career advisors, and doing Summer School so she would be able to finish her degree at the end of an academic year

Said yes, saw results From an “awkward” start to having a jampacked schedule – saying yes has resulted in Manaaki Scholar Latu Mafi making the most of every opportunity that has come her way during her time at Otago.

Congratulations to Parry Guilford, Matthew McNeil and Peter Mace from the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, recipients in the latest Health Research Council (HRC) funding round.

The HRC awarded $18.2 million to 17 University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka projects.

Dr Matthew McNeil (Department of Biochemistry) receives $1,199,888 for his project looking at trapping antibiotics inside pathogens to accelerate infectious disease therapy.

Professor Parry Guilford (Department of Biochemistry) was awarded $1,198,927 to develop a blood test to mitigate and reduce New Zealand's colonoscopy waiting lists.

Professor Peter Mace (Department of Biochemistry) was granted $1,199,958 to look at ways of developing new drugs to shape the local immune environment.

Read more about their projects here:

What if you could grow potatoes from seeds instead of tubers?

A research team led by Biochemistry Research Fellow Rowan Herridge, Associate Professor Lynette Brownfield and Professor Richard Macknight has developed a biotech innovation to help breeders create stronger crops and improve hard-to-breed species, supporting a more sustainable future for farming.

Read more about the innovative work here

A smarter way to grow What if you could grow potatoes from seeds instead of tubers?

One Otago research alliance is determined to bridge the gap between research and real-world application for the rare disease community.

Around 300,000 New Zealanders and their whānau are thought to be impacted by one or more of over 7,000 known rare disorders.

Research Alliance for Rare Illness Translational Pathways (RARITY) Director Professor Stephanie Hughes and Co-Director Māori Research Fellow Dr Luke Wilson say the biggest challenge for the rare disease community is not the lack of expertise, but the lack of coordinated pathways to impact.

RARITY, one of 14 Otago research themes funded in 2024, was established specifically to address this gap.
Read more here

Building the bridge between discovery and impact One Otago research alliance is determined to bridge the gap between research and real-world application for the rare disease community.

Can a new advance in conservation genomic technologies from researchers in the United States be another step towards bringing the moa back?

Department of Biochemistry researcher Professor Peter Dearden doesn’t think so.

Read Peter's analysis of the latest de-extinction claims here

'Impossible': NZ scientists challenge moa 'de-extinction' project egg claims NZ experts laud the engineering but dismiss true de-extinction as impossible.

From helping the fight against tuberculosis to representing New Zealand in sport and creating lifelong connections along the way, Catrin Ogilvie (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa) has a lot to be proud of in her time at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

Catrin graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences with Honours in Microbiology on 16 May, the moment being extra special as her twin sister Alex received a Bachelor of Arts and Science on the same day.

Working with Associate Professor Htin Ling Aung, Catrin’s honours project focused on a variant of tuberculosis. Htin says Catrin was an outstanding student, her academic excellence matched by a strong commitment to addressing health inequities within Māori communities.

Read more about Catrin and Alex’s story here
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/double-celebrations-for-twin-graduates