Recipients July 2025

17th HOPE Meeting

Number of received proposals: 24

Number of nominated proposals: 5

Awardee: Mr Nicholas Keestra, University of Otago - Ōtākau Whakaihu Waka

Titel: Investigating the DNA methylation trigger for metastasis of colorectal cancer using advanced gene-editing technology

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant health burden, especially in New Zealand, which has one of
the highest incidence and mortality rates globally. The chances of survival dramatically decrease if the
cancer spreads, or metastasizes, making early detection vital. Current studies show links between DNA
methylation—a type of epigenetic change—and cancer metastasis, but are yet to establish a
cause-and-effect relationship. Our project aims to bridge this gap by using advanced gene-editing
technology to specifically investigate how DNA methylation might trigger the metastasis of CRC. This
could revolutionize not only our understanding of CRC but also the broader field of epigenetics. We're
particularly excited about the potential to develop a blood test for early detection, which could make
screenings more cost-effective and efficient. This research could be a major step in reducing the health
burden of CRC not only in New Zealand but worldwide. Additionally, our methods could be
transformative for other areas of research, potentially changing how we approach the study of DNA methylation changes in various diseases.

Awardee: Mrs Simi Meledathu Sasidharan, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

Titel: Artificial Intelligence for Stroke Care: A Deep Residual U-Net Approach for Lesion Segmentation in Diffusion-Weighted MRI.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide. My research aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand and predict recovery after a stroke using brain MRI scans. In the first stage of my doctoral work, I developed a deep learning model that can automatically identify and measure the damaged areas in the brain from diffusion-weighted MRI images. This model provides highly accurate lesion maps that can help clinicians assess the extent of injury more objectively and efficiently.

Building on this foundation, my next goal is to combine these lesion characteristics with another key measure — brain age, derived from white matter hyperintensities seen on FLAIR MRI. Together, these features will be used to predict each patient’s functional recovery after stroke as a percentage, providing a personalized estimate of rehabilitation potential.

Ultimately, this research seeks to create intelligent tools that assist doctors in planning treatment and monitoring recovery, paving the way toward more precise and equitable stroke care for patients around the world.

Awardee: Dr Kati Hewitt, Bioeconomy Science Institute

Titel: Grassroots Innovation: Endophyte-Driven Solutions for Pastoral Sustainability

This project explores how tiny organisms living inside grasses, called endophytes, can help make our pastures more resilient and sustainable. These microscopic fungi form natural partnerships with grasses, offering protection from pests and environmental stress. By better understanding how these relationships work, we aim to support healthier farms, reduce the need for chemical inputs, and improve food production in a changing climate.

Awardee: Ms Michelle Lau, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

Titel: Catalytic Utility of Electronic Waste-derived Nanoparticles

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a significant global issue due to its toxic components, which can leach into the environment and pose a risk to human health. However, it also contains valuable precious metal including gold (Au). This project is dedicated to advancing a circular economy by transforming this waste stream into a high-value product, reducing the environmental burden of e-waste and decreasing our reliance on virgin mined ore. Current methods to produce gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) typically rely on high gold concentrations, ranging from 50 to 27,000 ppm, derived from purified mined ore. Waste-derived AuNPs synthesis often utilises pre-purification and manual processing of gold pins and even gold flakes, which are not representative of realistic large-scale recycling methods. This research discusses the synthesis of AuNPs derived from solutions at concentrations representative of e-waste solutions ranging from 20 to 30 ppm. These AuNPs are further evaluated and optimised for their catalytic utility for organic synthesis and are subsequently compared against real-life e-waste-derived AuNPs samples. Highly catalytically active AuNPs are synthesised directly from these low-gold-containing waste-derived solutions. This study demonstrates the practical feasibility of a large-scale recycling method and supports innovative waste-utilisation concepts to help minimise the amount of e-waste destined for landfills.

Awardee: Mr Minh Tan LE, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

Titel: Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) as a novel environmentally friendly flame retardant from wastewater sludge: from the fundamental to application

Enormous amounts of sludge generated from wastewater treatment plants worldwide can become a major environmental challenge if not treated properly. However, this sludge also contains valuable compounds known as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS are complex mixtures of proteins, polysaccharides, and other biopolymers that can be recovered and repurposed. One promising application is the development of bio-based flame retardants. Conventional flame retardants are often synthetic and raise concerns about toxicity and environmental persistence. EPS, by contrast, provide a sustainable pathway: they reduce waste entering the environment while offering a renewable source of flame-retardant materials. Despite this potential, the application of EPS in flame retardancy is still at an early stage. Their complex structure and diverse composition make it difficult to predict performance or design reliable products. To address this, it is essential to investigate their thermal stability, chemical behaviour, and fire-resistant properties. This knowledge will enable the design of new materials that combine effective fire protection with environmental safety. By turning waste into value, this research contributes not only to fire safety but also to the broader goals of a circular bioeconomy and sustainable materials development.