Natalie Netzler
2025: Dr Natalie Netzler of Waipapa Taumata Rau – the University of Auckland aims to discover new antiviral therapies by bringing together Indigenous expertise in medicine with cutting-edge virology
Around 300 viruses are known to infect humans, but we have treatments for only a small number, and viruses are able to evolve resistance to these precious antivirals and vaccines. The result is that billions of people are vulnerable to viral diseases worldwide, with nothing to offer except symptomatic care. The world urgently needs more safe, effective, and accessible antiviral treatments.
Dr Natalie Netzler (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hauā, Samoa – Moto’otua, Falealili) has been awarded a Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship to weave together cutting-edge virological methods and Indigenous expertise to identify novel antivirals for treating viral diseases. Working in partnership with Māori and Samoan communities, Dr Netzler will test medicinal plant extracts against a range of viruses, using gold-standard techniques from virology. The aim is to improve health outcomes by identifying novel antivirals for viral diseases that don’t have approved clinical treatments — such as measles, dengue, and Zika. The work could additionally bring opportunities for developing spin-out products such as nutraceuticals or synthetic derivatives with novel intellectual property for clinical antiviral development and contribute to economic growth and opportunities for Māori and Pacific partners.
Dr Natalie Netzler is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau – the University of Auckland, and the Director of the PC3/BSL3 Facility which handles infectious agents at Physical Containment and BioSafety Level 3. After a PhD in Immunology and Microbiology from the University of New South Wales, Natalie has been awarded the New Zealand Association of Scientists’ Cranwell Medal for science communication and the Maurice Wilkins Centre’s Early Career Research Award for community engagement. Natalie has demonstrated expertise in business administration, biotechnology, and community engagement, as well as the safe management of high-risk organisms.
Dr Natalie Netzler in the laboratory (photo supplied)