Recipients April 2025

Catalyst Seeding Fund

Funding Round Overview

Awarded Grants 

The Catalyst Seeding General Fund facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means, and with a view to developing full collaborations. 

Descriptions of the funded projects are provided below the results table. 

Note that applications submitted towards the Dumont d’Urville NZ-France Science & Technology Support Programme are currently awaiting completion of the New Zealand-France joint review process. Awarded grants will be listed at the completion of the joint review, expected to be in mid-December.

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Yusuf Cakmak, University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

Title: VAGOME AURORA: Organotopic Mapping of the Auricular Vagal Nerve for Organ-Specific Gene Responses Enabling Precise Neuromodulation

This project aims to create the world’s first high-resolution map of how the ear’s vagus nerve connections influence internal organs. Stimulating this nerve through the outer ear—known as auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS)—is a promising non-invasive therapy already used in hospitals to support stroke recovery and manage conditions like Parkinson’s disease. However, current approaches has the potential to affect multiple organs at once, which can either help or harm, depending on the person’s health condition. By working with world experts in nerve imaging in China, and combining this with New Zealand’s strengths in anatomy, wearable devices, and molecular analysis, we will identify exactly which areas of the ear connect to which organs. We will also test how this stimulation affects biological markers in the blood. This breakthrough could lead to safe, organ-specific wearable therapies for people with stroke, diabetes, and gut or heart issues—especially important for populations with higher health risks. The project will also train young researchers across both countries and build long-term partnerships to advance global health technology.

Principal Investigator: Dr Michelle Linterman, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

Title: Leveraging single cell metabolomics to improve immunotherapies and vaccines

This Catalyst Seeding grant supports an exciting new collaboration between the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research (New Zealand) and the University of California San Diego (UCSD), aimed at advancing immunometabolism research—how immune cell function is shaped by metabolism. The project brings together world-leading spatial single-cell metabolomics expertise from Dr. Theodore Alexandrov’s team at UCSD with the Malaghan Institute’s translational research in cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. At the heart of this collaboration is SpaceM, a groundbreaking technology developed by Dr. Alexandrov’s lab that enables high-resolution metabolic profiling of individual immune cells. This technology will be used alongside advanced metabolic assays already established in New Zealand, such as Met-Flow and SCENITH, to better understand how metabolism influences the performance of CAR T-cell therapies and vaccine responses. The grant will enable training exchanges, technology transfer, and joint analysis of precious human immune cell samples, generating novel data that will inform the design of next-generation immunotherapies. It will also support a national immunometabolism workshop to share expertise across New Zealand. This collaboration lays the foundation for long-term international partnerships and positions New Zealand at the forefront of single-cell metabolic analysis in immune research.

Principal Investigator: Dr Arman Haddadchi, Earth Sciences New Zealand

Title: Bedload transport modelling and routing using Physics-Informed Neural Networks: Model development and field validation

Rivers in New Zealand are essential for supplying sand and gravel to our coasts. At the same time, extraction of these materials from rivers is critical for construction and infrastructure, so their sustainable use requires that sediment extraction be balanced with its natural supply and the needs of coastal environments. The measurement and modelling of the transport of coarse sediments (such as sand and gravel), which move along the riverbed, pose an ongoing challenge due to variability in sediment supply, particle size and river transport capacity.  Recent breakthroughs by our colleague at the University of California, on Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), offer a unique opportunity to improve bedload transport modelling from source to sink in a way that accounts for spatial and temporal variability in sediment supply and river transport capacity. This world-leading work will be validated by detailed field measurements and analysis of archival bedload transport data, in collaboration with colleagues from the universities of Ottawa and Aberdeen. This Catalyst grant supports exchanges between New Zealand and these institutions, to collaborate on creating better physical models for bedload transport in river networks, with an aim of supporting sustainable sand/gravel mining without degrading rivers and the coastal environment.

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Alan Wang, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

Title: Federated Learning for Stroke Lesion Segmentation Across Multimodal Imaging

This project aims to improve stroke diagnosis and care by developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models that can automatically detect areas of brain injury from medical scans. Stroke is a major cause of disability and death worldwide, and accurate early detection of brain lesions is essential for choosing the right treatment and predicting how well a patient may recover. We will use brain imaging data, such as MRI and CT scans, from hospitals in New Zealand and the United States to build AI tools that can analyse these images quickly and accurately. Importantly, we will use a privacy-preserving approach called federated learning, which allows hospitals to contribute to model training without sharing patient data directly. This international collaboration brings together world-leading experts in neuroimaging and AI to create tools that are both scientifically robust and clinically useful. The work will support stroke clinicians with faster, more consistent information, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

Principal Investigator: Dr Jean Power, University of Canterbury - Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

Title: Building a roadmap to harness the Microbiome of Aotearoa

Microorganisms underpin the resilience of ecosystems and are central to innovation in health, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Aotearoa–New Zealand harbours globally unique microbiomes shaped by its geographic isolation, dynamic geology, and climatic diversity. Yet no national framework currently exists to comprehensively characterise or capitalise on this microbial wealth. This seeding collaboration lays the groundwork for the Microbiome of Aotearoa (MOA), an ambitious, nationwide research programme to profile over 10,000 microbial ecosystems, spanning alpine soils to urban centres, including culturally significant whenua for Māori. Spearheaded by researchers at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha–University of Canterbury, Harvard University, and the University of Colorado, the project integrates local environmental expertise with cutting-edge international capability in microbial big data analytics. It will build national bioinformatic capacity through targeted workshops and convene a national research hui to co-design a strategic roadmap for MOA. The programme’s outcomes will advance biodiversity knowledge, support Māori data sovereignty, and catalyse innovation in conservation and biotechnology.
This collaboration marks a transformative opportunity for Aotearoa to establish a foundational microbial bioresource with scientific, cultural, and economic value. It will position Aotearoa as a global leader in environmental research while safeguarding the microbial taonga that underpin its future.

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Nicholas Rattenbury, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

Title: Quantum Free Space Optical Communications

We are building the foundation for New Zealand’s first quantum-secure free-space optical communication (FSOC) system—an advanced method of transmitting data using light beams through the atmosphere. This project is a collaboration between the University of Auckland and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the world leader in satellite-based quantum communications.
Teams from both countries will visit each other’s facilities to plan and prepare for a future experiment that sends individual photons—particles of light—across long distances. These photons can carry encrypted information in a way that is fundamentally secure from eavesdropping, thanks to the laws of quantum physics. During the visits, the teams will assess the existing infrastructure at the Taiaho Observatory near Auckland and define what upgrades are needed to support quantum-level experiments. They will also co-design protocols for testing technologies such as single-photon sources, quantum memory devices, and detectors sensitive enough to count individual photons. By combining New Zealand’s expertise in lasers and optics with Germany’s cutting-edge quantum technologies, this project will establish a new research pathway in secure global communications. It will also create long-term training and collaboration opportunities for students and researchers, helping position New Zealand as a leader in the future of quantum communication.

Principal Investigator: Dr Farhad Mehdipour, Otago Polytechnic - Te Kura Matatini ki Otago

Title: Cross-Country Co-Design of an Ethical Disaster Evacuee Assistance System

This project will help communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and Japan be better prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Many people who shelter in cars, homes, or other private places during disasters can be overlooked in emergency planning and may not get timely help. This research will bring together experts from New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and Germany to design a new system that can safely and privately identify and support these “hidden” evacuees. It will use privacy-preserving technology and culturally respectful design developed in close partnership with Māori advisors, local authorities, and international partners. The project aims to deliver a clear, shared plan and design framework that can be used for future development. By improving how we find and support people in need, the project will help save lives, reduce recovery costs, and make communities more resilient in the face of disasters.

Principal Investigator: Dr Renata Kowalczyk, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau

Title: Novel heptamethine cyanine dye (HMCD) conjugates as boron carriers for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of glioblastoma and other cancers

The global incidence of cancer is constantly growing with estimated 35 million of new cases globally by 2050. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent primary brain tumour in adults; it is also extremely aggressive and is practically incurable, with limited treatment options. For those who can be treated there is only a median survival rate of less than 15 months. Current treatment options of brain tumours include surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy; these often fail, and tumour recurrence  occurs. Chemotherapy approaches lack efficacy due to poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tumour specificity needed to reach the tumour and treat cancerous cells selectively. 
In this proposal we will generate a novel library of constructs capable of crossing the blood brain barrier, selectively targeting and tagging brain tumour cells with boron atoms. This allows for targeted irradiation of cancer, using boron neutron capturing therapy (BNCT) and without damaging healthy cells.

Principal Investigator: Dr Finnigan Illsley-Kemp, Victoria University of Wellington - Te Herenga Waka

Title: Advanced sub-surface Earth imaging for New Zealand’s volcanic and geothermal future

Both the study of volcanic hazards and the study of geothermal resources require a detailed knowledge of the location and movement of subsurface fluids. Current techniques in New Zealand cannot adequately map and track subsurface fluid movements. Our project, a collaboration between the University of Mainz and Victoria University of Wellington, will address these two critical needs by developing the next generation of subsurface Earth imaging techniques. This will enable the project team to detect, characterise and locate signals caused by the movement of melt and gas to a) accurately map geothermal fluids for exploitation and b) facilitate the forecasting of volcanic eruptions.

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Simon Hoermann, University of Canterbury - Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

Title: Transforming Physical Rehabilitation with Intelligent Embodied Agents and Extended Reality Technology

Acquired brain injuries are major causes of long-term disability in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. Recovery often requires intensive, ongoing rehabilitation, but many people, especially those in rural areas or with limited resources, struggle to access the care they need.
This project will make high-quality brain injury rehabilitation more accessible by creating a smart therapy system that people can, and will want to use at home. The new system will include a unique feature: a virtual therapist that can interact with users in a lifelike way. This virtual therapist will offer personalised advice, adjust exercises based on progress, and provide emotional support—helping to recreate the kind of human connection that is so important during recovery. Leveraging decades of expertise in technology development and clinical practice, this project will follow an iterative development and evaluation process in laboratory and clinical environments across international sites. It will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, building on our and our collaborators' extensive foundational work. By enabling personalised rehabilitation in the home, this initiative has the potential to significantly improve recovery outcomes and health equity. It represents a major step forward in using digital health technologies to support inclusive, patient-centred care.

Principal Investigator: Dr Zaramasina Clark, Victoria University of Wellington - Te Herenga Waka

Title: Tracking the progenitor to theca cell transition: a shared target for ovulation failure-related infertility?

Globally, infertility is estimated to affect one in five individuals in their lifetime. In some cases, infertility is caused by impaired ovulation (the process where the mature egg is released from the ovary). Ovulation is a complex process that relies on support from specific ovarian cells called the theca cells, but surprisingly, we know very little about the origins and development of these cells. This project brings together researchers from Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) and Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) to investigate how the mature theca cell layers develop, and how they contribute to ovulation. Using cutting-edge ‘multi-omic’ technologies we will study these cells in animal models, and then validate our findings using in ethically-sourced, human ovarian tissue from post-menopausal donors. A key outcome of this project is to establish a long-term international collaboration that builds local expertise in ovarian biology and reproductive health. This partnership underpins our long-term goal of developing better ways to treat ovulation failure-related infertility, potentially advancing health outcome and having economic benefits for Aotearoa, NZ.

Principal Investigator: Mr Daniel van de Pas, Bioeconomy Science Institute

Title: From Pine to Profit: Advancing Sustainable Chemical Production through Catalysis and Separation Innovation

Forests are an untapped powerhouse of renewable biochemicals with immense potential to boost New Zealand’s GDP and strengthen its future bioeconomy. To fully realise this potential, it is necessary to efficiently break down wood into its fundamental components - cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin - while ensuring that none of these vital components undergo degradation. At Scion (a Group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute), we’ve made remarkable strides in the targeted deconstruction of New Zealand’s radiata pine wood into chemical building blocks on a pilot scale. Despite these achievements, two critical challenges persist in advancing biochemical production from wood: specialised expertise in catalyst design and in chemical separation technology. To address these, we propose forging partnerships with esteemed experts in these fields of research. Collaborations with Professors Karen Wilson and Adam Lee from Griffith University (Australia) and Dr Gregg Beckham from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (United States) will enable Scion to leverage their insights and innovations to amplify the impact of our research. Through these synergistic partnerships, we aim to transform wood into higher-value sustainable chemicals that drive economic growth and position New Zealand at the forefront of the global bioeconomy.

Principal Investigator: Dr Jacinta Fa'alili-Fidow, Moana Connect

Title: Artificial Intelligence and Indigenous Data Sovereignty: A Global Indigenous Research Partnership

Data is a taonga (treasure) for Indigenous peoples and crucial for AI. However, approaches to Responsible AI that don’t address Indigenous data sovereignty (IDSov) or data equity will not build trust with Indigenous groups and unlock the potential economic and social benefits for Māori/Indigenous communities. New challenges arise from the use of generative AI, synthetic data, and agentic AI, for which Indigenous-led solutions are essential to maintain cultural values and support initiatives that fit with diverse Indigenous contexts. This application is co-led by the Pacific Data Sovereignty Network and Te Mana Raraunga Māori Data Sovereignty Network to bring together NZ-based experts in IDSov and AI, linking with international IDSov networks: the U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network, Maiam nayri Wingara (Australia), the GIDA-Sápmi networks (Norway, Sweden, and Finland), the First Nations Information Governance Centre in Canada, and collaborators from Latin America. The project will begin with a GIDA-led workshop on IDSov and AI to be hosted at the Collegio de Posgraduados, Mexico City and inform further engagement and meetings with Māori and Pacific communities in Aotearoa. The project will create guidance for IDSov and AI, build international research networks, and explore opportunities for further research collaborations.

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Glen Reid, University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

Title: Building capacity in translational lung cancer research

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and therapy, lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer deaths globally. Early diagnosis, predicting outcome and treatments for late-stage disease are significant unmet needs. Identifying biomarkers that can accurately assist with early diagnosis or predict therapeutic outcomes requires sufficient sample numbers. Although lung cancer is a major problem in NZ, the number of patients is relatively low. By collaborating with the Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory (TTOL), in the world-renowned Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, we will gain access to an extensive pre-existing biobank containing thousands of samples collected over decades. The TTOL is led by co-applicant Prof Balázs Döme, a board-certified pathologist and pulmonologist who is recognized as a world-class scientist in lung cancer research. The TTOL applies basic, translational and clinical research focused on the biology of thoracic tumours to improve the survival of patients. The TTOL has state-of-the-art histology and microscopy units, and a modern research lab with multiple preclinical models which will greatly benefit our promising experimental therapy projects. This new collaboration will be a significant boost to translational lung cancer research in NZ, and has the potential to truly benefit our patients.