University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

Marine Science Professor Ceridwen Fraser, pictured with her stained glass artwork showcasing Otago's unique marine life.

Professor Ceridwen Fraser has crafted a very special addition to the Department of Marine Science's new digs 🤩

She's created this beautiful stained glass piece celebrating Otago's unique marine life, now on display in the foyer of the Geology Museum in the Quad building 🌊🦭

📸 Gerard O'Brien

Project to improve prostate cancer detection Early detection of prostate cancer could soon be simplified, thanks to a University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka project.

Early detection of prostate cancer could soon be simplified, thanks to an initiative led by Dr Jim Smith (Te Ātiawa) 👏

He has received funding to create a targeted DNA methylation-based blood test, which he hopes will lead to earlier detection, accurate diagnoses, and improved patient outcomes.

Vitamin C from food boosts collagen levels in skin – landmark study A breakthrough study from researchers at the University of Otago, Faculty of Medicine – Christchurch Ōtautahi, has found that collagen production and skin renewal directly respond to the amount of vit...

Science says your skin loves vitamin C🍊

New research from Otago shows a strong link between diet and skin health. Eating foods high in vitamin C every day (such as two SunGold kiwifruit) can boost collagen, skin thickness and cell renewal in just eight weeks.

Read more here⬇️

Otago scientists pioneer non-invasive treatments for the brain and body It’s a challenge that’s stymied medical researchers for more than a century: how to treat disorders without invasive procedures or the drawbacks of drugs.

Can you treat disease without medication or surgery?🤔

Otago researchers are pioneering non-invasive ways to treat the brain and body.

From smart patches to sound waves that target the brain, these breakthroughs could transform care across Aotearoa.🩻

Read more here⬇️

OPINION: A global tax crackdown is coming for crypto – including NZ trades worth billions ⬇️

Mussel power: Decoding DNA to help sustain a threatened taonga Facing climate change pressures from warming seas to toxic blooms, Aotearoa New Zealand’s half-billion-dollar mussel industry and cherished taonga are under threat. Dr Nathan Kenny's team is now…

Aotearoa's green-lipped mussels are under pressure from warming seas, toxic blooms and disease - but Otago scientists are fighting back.🌊

Dr Nathan Kenny's team has built the first high-quality kuku genome, helping us breed resilience into these this treasured taonga.💚

Read more here⬇️

Prestigious medal for science communicator

Associate Professor Nic Rawlence has been awarded the New Zealand Association of Scientists’ prestigious Cranwell Medal for his exceptional mahi communicating the wonders of science with the public 🏅👏

“I feel humbled and on cloud nine at the same time,” he says. Read more here ⬇️

Meet the Otago scientists unlocking the secrets of stress Humans evolved a stress response to cope with imminent threats. But in the modern world, that same system can lead to chronic anxiety and depression.

From public speaking to job interviews, stress is a part of everyday life that can feel all too familiar 😵‍💫🧠

Find out how the cutting-edge research of Faculty of Biomedical Sciences kaimahi Dr Joon Kim and Associate Professor Karl Iremonger could impact how we manage stress ⬇️

Scottish writer an exciting appointment for Otago Fellowship Scottish writer Donald S Murray says he is thrilled and honoured to be awarded a fellowship in Dunedin next year.

Next year, we will welcome Scottish writer Donald S Murray to Ōtepoti for an exciting fellowship 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️✍️

Donald is thrilled and honoured to be awarded the 2026 Scottish Writing Fellowship with Mātai Airana, Mātai Kotirana, in conjunction with the Caselberg Trust! 👏

Global meeting awards Aotearoa New Zealand ‘Dirty Ashtray’ award Last night’s award of a ‘Dirty Ashtray’, a civil society award, to the New Zealand Government shows Aotearoa is now attracting international attention for all the wrong reasons, tobacco control resear...

The 'Dirty Ashtray' award draws attention to Aotearoa's significant fall from grace in tobacco regulations, Otago researchers say 🚭

“New Zealand was once a leader in global tobacco control policy. Now, our national shame is playing out on an international stage," Professor Janet Hoek says.

Eminent Otago scientists receive BLAKE awards Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Mark has been awarded the 2025 BLAKE Medal, alongside three other Otago researchers who received BLAKE Leader awards for their outstanding contributions to environmental le...

Four Otago researchers have been recognised at the 2025 BLAKE awards for their leadership in science and conservation.🌿✨

Sir Alan Mark received the BLAKE Medal, with Liz Slooten, Steve Dawson and Sally Carson also honoured.

A huge achievement for our environmental champions.

Read more here⬇️

Faculty of Biomedical Sciences research team strikes gold What was everyday life really like in the Otago goldrush?

What was everyday life really like in the Otago goldrush?⛏️

Dr Ruth Warren and Dr Charlotte King from the Department of Anatomy have gained international recognition for a schools programme that brings those stories to life.👏

Read more here⬇️

Success for UOC researchers in Canterbury Medical Research Foundation Grants University of Otago, Christchurch Ōtautahi researchers investigating cures for cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and mental health have been awarded more than NZ$1 million dollars in g...

Otago Christchurch researchers have secured $1.5m in funding from the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation to tackle major health challenges such as cures for cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and mental health.

It is the largest investment in grant funding made by the CMRF ever!⬇️

Study reveals potential and beauty of the world unseen A University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study has produced a detailed blueprint of a bacteriophage, furthering their potential in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.

An Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study has produced a detailed blueprint of a bacteriophage, furthering their "extremely exciting" potential in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria 🦠

Read more here ⬇️

Studies call for state accountability for state harms University of Otago, Wellington – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke researchers believe the Government is breaching the rights of imprisoned and recently released Māori.

Two Otago studies examining the experience of imprisoned and recently released Māori have led researchers to believe the Government is breaching their rights. They found Māori were consistently undercounted while in prison, and had unmet needs in primary care services after release. Read more here ⬇️

Life at sea: Researching a volcanic eruption Two Otago researchers have recently returned to shore after spending weeks at sea exploring the aftermath of a devastating volcanic eruption.

Weeks at sea, thousands of samples, and one burning question: what really happened inside the Hunga eruption?🌋

Two Otago researchers joined an international voyage to uncover the clues buried in the seafloor.

Their work could help decode one of the most powerful eruptions in modern history!⬇️

Conference will explore global health in challenging times ‘Global health in challenging times’ is the theme of the 17th Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) conference, that will run from 25-26 November 2025 at Te Kura Pakihi Otago Business School.

The 17th Otago Global Health Institute conference will explore ‘Global health in challenging times’, bringing researchers, students, and health practitioners together to address topics spanning from pandemics to climate change 🏥☀️

Read more here ⬇️

Detection is not prevention: will drug testing drivers really make NZ roads safer? Police will soon be able to orally test drivers for four drugs. But impairment from prescription medications is far more common and remains largely self-policed.

OPINION: Detection is not prevention: will drug testing drivers really make NZ roads safer? ⬇️

Groundbreaking partnership to tackle diabetes inequities The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has joined forces with Ngāti Hine Health Trust, one of the largest Māori health providers in Aotearoa, to improve diabetes care for Māori.

Otago has joined forces with Ngāti Hine Health Trust, one of the largest Māori health providers in Aotearoa, to address and improve persistent inequities in diabetes care for Māori ❤️‍🩹

Read more here ⬇️

New Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies for Otago The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Mariela de Amstalden as a full professor to the New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies.

Dr Mariela de Amstalden has been appointed as a full professor to the New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies!
 
She will have a key role in delivering innovative solutions to the legal and policy issues shaping our technological future.

Read more about her appointment ⬇️👏

Botany collections growing global audience Details of the botanical treasures of the Otago Regional Herbarium, located in the Department of Botany, are now available to the scientific world with a new digital presence on an Australasian networ...

A growing global presence for Aotearoa's largest university-based herbarium 🌱🌏

In an exciting development for botanists worldwide, digital records for almost 23,000 specimens in the Otago Regional Herbarium are now available through the Australasian Virtual Herbarium network!

Read more here ⬇️

Royal Society honours Otago researchers Two University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers, at either end of their careers, have received Royal Society Te Apārangi awards for their work.

Psychology Professor Cliff Abraham and PhD candidate Helena Abolins-Thompson (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a rua) received Royal Society Te Apārangi awards last night 👏

Find out more about their honours 👇

Fellowships for alumni and staff reflect strength of Otago Law community Congratulations to the four Otago alumni and staff who have been awarded Borrin Foundation Fellowships, and Travel and Learning Awards.

Otago's Law community has struck gold once again, with 4 alumni and staff receiving Borrin Foundation awards 💪⚖️

Read about the recipients 👇

Researcher Seabourne Rust holds an artistic reconstruction of 'Zealandorhynchus fordycei'. Painting: S. Rust. Photo: D. Yanakopulos

A new species of fossil billfish has been named Zealandorhynchus fordycei, honouring the legacy of the late Emeritus Professor Ewan Fordyce ❤️‍🩹

The species is one of two rare fossil billfish skulls from about 50 million years ago found in Otago.

Read more here 🔗 www.otago.ac.nz/about/news/n...

Creating Te Tiriti partnerships in Mātai matū – Chemistry A mana-enhancing approach to better understand Māori students’ learning journeys in Chemistry has received support from a University of Otago Research Grant.

A mana-enhancing research project in Te Tari Mātauranga Matū – the Department of Chemistry has received support from an Otago Research Grant 🧑‍🔬

The project will use Māori methodologies to determine how tauira and kaimahi experience undergraduate chemistry education at Otago.

Read more here ⬇️

DNA detectives: the Otago scientists decoding ultra-rare genetic disorders A global revolution in genetic sequencing is helping University of Otago scientists solve the mysteries of ultra-rare disorders, for one family at a time.

Meet two Otago kaimahi working at the forefront of rare genetic disease research: Professor Stephanie Hughes and Associate Professor Louise Bicknell 🧬🌟

A revolution in genetic sequencing technology is helping them bring answers to families facing ultra-rare disorders.

Read more here⬇️

We're kicking off the second series of our alumni podcast iOU by catching up with Lynley Edmeades! 🎙️🎓
 
Lynley talks to us about the many hats she wears, her student days at Otago, and her new book 'Hiding Places'.
Check it out 👉

International Adaptation Futures Conference inspires Otago researchers Otago researchers recently attended the international Adaptation Futures Conference as the flagship event of the United Nations World Adaptation Science Programme.

Otago researchers, including students and alumni, left the recent international Adaptation Futures Conference feeling inspired💡✅

The climate change adaptation conference brought together nearly 2,000 practitioners to collaborate towards a more sustainable future. Read more here⬇️

Re-established Research Centre funding welcome in ‘grim’ environment Research centres are celebrating securing money from the recent Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago Research Centre funding round.

Eight research Centres have secured funding in the latest University of Otago Research Centre funding round👏
Each will receive a total of $200,000 to boost research in health, climate, culture, and more.
Read more about the winning Centres here⬇️

Prioritising pēpi protection With research in infant medications and maternal vaccinations, both Lisa and Amber are motivated by the belief that infants deserve a high standard of healthcare so they might grow and thrive.

Today, 7 November, is Infant Protection Day 💜 Otago kaimahi Dr Lisa Kremer (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, and Waitaha) and Dr Amber Young (Taranaki Iwi), based in the School of Pharmacy, keep this kaupapa at the centre of their mahi year-round.
 
Read more about their research in pēpi protection 👇