International Blog
NZ Scientists Honoured by Royal Society
Monday, 10 November 2008
The Academy of the Royal Society of New Zealand has announced the election of 10 new Fellows. The research of the new Fellows reveals the diversity and breadth in the innovative science that is being carried out in New Zealand across the range of our Universities and scientific institutes. Six of the new Fellows come from Universities and four from Crown Research Institutes.
(via Voxy) The research of five of the new Fellows covers exciting developments in the health sciences; from new understanding of the micro-architecture of inter-vertebral discs (Professor Broom, University of Auckland), through the calcium dynamics of cardiac cells (Professor Cannell, University of Auckland) and the immunology of periodontal diseases (Professor Seymour, University of Otago), to the mathematics of epidemics (Professor Roberts, Massey University) and the production of new vaccines (Dr Buddle, AgResearch). In chemistry, the investigations of two of the new Fellows have increased our knowledge of surface chemistry using spectroscopy (Professor. McQuillan, University of Otago), and in creating molecules that are potent drugs (Dr Tyler, Industrial Research Ltd).
Two of the new Fellows have developed new understanding of New Zealand's earthquake geology (Dr Reyners, GNS Science) and the nature of New Zealand's vegetation prior to human settlement (Dr McGlone, Landcare Research). The research of another Fellow has increased our understanding of the spread of languages across the globe and has also revealed that New Caledonian crows have developed tool-making abilities (Professor Gray, The University of Auckland).
As well, the Academy has elected to Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand three New Zealanders who are carrying out innovative research at Universities overseas. Professor Terry Collins, a graduate of The University of Auckland who is now with the Carnegie Mellon University in the USA, is a pre-eminent scientist developing 'green chemistry' for sustainable development. Professor Keith Worsley, also an Auckland graduate who is now with the University of Chicago, is one of the world's leading statisticians. Professor John Miners, a graduate from Victoria University of Wellington and now at Flinders University in Australia, is also a world leader in research into drug metabolism and pharmacology.
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