Prime Minister’s science prizes recognise outstanding achievements in agriculture, anxiety, virology, science teaching and phytoremediation

The winner of the Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Pūtaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize was awarded to Dr Linda Johnson, with the Endophyte Discovery Team at AgResearch, for generating significant economic and environmental benefits by developing a microorganism which enhances the health and productivity of the ryegrass common on New Zealand farms.

In the 1980s, the team discovered ryegrass’s endophyte partner was causing health problems and a loss of productivity in grazing animals.

They then identified a new endophyte, called AR37, that doesn’t cause these problems in livestock but continues to protect the pasture from insect pests.

Eighty percent of New Zealand farmers now buy seed with the improved endophyte, which is expected to add $3.6 billion to the New Zealand economy in productivity gains over a 20-year period.

The team are developing endophytes that will enhance resilience to climate change and other environmental challenges, not only in ryegrass, but in cereals and other crops.

Dr Linda Johnson said that most of the Endophyte Discovery Team have dedicated their careers to endophyte science, so was thrilled for the team to get this recognition.

“We hope our prize will shine some light on agricultural research and show the impact this research has had on farmers and the New Zealand economy,” – Linda Johnson.

Read media release about this prize >

The Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize for an outstanding early career researcher was awarded to Dr Olivia Harrison, a Rutherford Discovery Fellow who heads a multidisciplinary team at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago.

Olivia has been recognised for her research on understanding and managing anxiety.

Anxiety is becoming more prevalent globally, and New Zealand has high rates, especially in Māori communities.

Anxiety occurs when the brain misinterprets signals coming from the body or vice versa. Olivia uses breathing to study this miscommunication.

She has assembled a multidisciplinary team to study treatments for anxiety, such as antidepressants and exercise.

Olivia seeks to identify biomarkers for anxiety and mental health so that people can get earlier treatment, tailored to what is most likely to work for them.

Overall, Olivia aspires to a holistic approach to treating anxiety, taking the needs of individuals, communities and the health system into account. 

Olivia says winning the Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize is an incredible honour and will help support her lab to continue with their research.

“What I want to do with all of this is to make a positive difference for people who are suffering from anxiety,” – Olivia Harrison.

Read media release about Olivia's prize > 

The Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao Science Teacher Prize winner was Dr Aidan Kiely from Aorere College in Tamaki Makaurau.

Aidan is a highly skilled and committed teacher, focused on achieving equitable outcomes in science education.  

He seeks to provide authentic opportunities for his students to learn science, use it in their daily lives, and enter STEM careers.

Aidan has used theory and evidence to maximise his student’s motivation by giving them autonomy and agency in their learning. By using practical projects, such as ongoing restoration of a local stream, he involves his students in the real-world applications of science.

To broaden his students’ learning opportunities, Aidan has established relationships with scientists, people in industry, and community members, so that they can inspire and mentor students at Aorere College.

Taking part in the Science Teaching Leadership Programme, run by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, gave Aidan the opportunity to grow his leadership skills and hone his teaching approach. 

Aidan says it has been a privilege to teach Aorere College students for nearly ten years.

“Watching the students grow as young people and staying in touch with many of them, some of whom have gone into science careers, many of whom have not, has been a real privilege,” –Aidan Kiely.

Read media release about Aidan's prize > 

The Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao Science Communicator Prize, for communicating complex scientific or technological information, is awarded to Professor Jemma Geoghegan from Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago.

Jemma is recognised for promoting public understanding of infectious disease and informing policymakers on how to respond to pandemic threats.

Jemma is an evolutionary virologist and biologist – her research focuses on emerging viral diseases. In science communication, her talent is to match the complexity of information she conveys to the needs of her various audiences.

Jemma became a household name during the Covid-19 pandemic, but with her continuing outreach about other infectious diseases – such as bird flu – her total number of media and public appearances is now more than a thousand.

She has sparked vital conversations between scientists from varying disciplines, politicians, and other decision-makers.

Jemma says that science communication can help people to feel less afraid by deepening their understanding.

“I see my responsibility as a science communicator is to try to alleviate some of those anxieties that people might have. Because if you know more about it, then potentially you won’t be as scared,” – Jemma Geoghegan.

Read media release about Jemma's prize >

The Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Ānamata Future Scientist Prize, for an innovative project by a secondary school student, was awarded to Rena Misra from Epsom Girls’ Grammar School in Tamaki Makaurau.

Rena has won this award for her project testing a system to remove pollutants from stormwater, by enhancing the efficiency of filtration by plants.

Rena investigated a sustainable, low-cost solution for reducing copper contamination in stormwater runoff, with potential applications in rural areas lacking stormwater treatment.

Her project focused on phytoremediation, a process in which plants filter and remove contaminants in the environment.

Because the rate at which plant roots absorb pollutants from water can be limited, Rena introduced fungi which form a symbiotic relationship with plants and increase the surface area of their root systems.

Rena demonstrated that salad plants inoculated with fungi grew more and absorbed more copper than non-inoculated plants.

“I hope that this project paves the way for further advancements and development in scaling up this remediation process, especially in low-resource communities where extensive infrastructure may not be feasible,” – Rena Misra.

Rena plans to follow a career in either medical research or environmental science.

Read media release about Rena's prize >