Four researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have been awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowships this year.
The fellowships provide $800,000 to each recipient to support their work.
Three of this year’s awards go to researchers working on projects related to climate change:
- Dr Holly Winton is investigating phytoplankton (tiny marine plants) in the Southern Ocean and their response to climate changes. These plants help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by converting it into organic carbon in the deep ocean.
- Dr Julie Deslippe is investigating changes in plant biodiversity resulting from a warming climate. Her work explores plant survival in mountain areas and how plant losses and invasions may affect carbon emissions from these ecosystems.
- Dr Mat Anker is developing a method for making ammonia without using fossil fuels. Globally, one percent of carbon emissions come from the fossil fuels used in ammonia production.
The fourth recipient is Dr Hannah Waddington, who heads up the University’s Autism Clinic. Dr Waddington is training education and health professionals to identify children who are showing signs of autism. Her research will examine the effects of providing these children with high-quality support versus access to existing services.
Victoria University of Wellington researchers received four of the 12 Rutherford Discovery Fellowships awarded.
The fellowships, managed by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, are aimed at supporting early-to-mid career researchers and provide $800,000 funding over five years.
Full details of this year’s recipients are available on the Royal Society’s website.
