Branch event: The development of Scientific Sleuthing

This talk is a celebration of the expertise of New Zealand scientists. A new book, Scientific Sleuthing, has 16 stories of how NZ scientists successfully solved problems, as seen by practising or recently retired chemists working on a worldwide stage rather than in the local “back yard”. We have three of the people involved in writing and producing the book to talk to us.

Professor Bryce Williamson’s research interests include: Chemical applications of group theory; Molecular electronic spectroscopy; Matrix-isolation spectroscopy; Molecular symmetry; Vibrational spectroscopy; Atmospheric chemistry; and chemistry and science education.

Rebecca Hurrell, Institute Manager, University of Canterbury’s Biomolecular Interaction Centre. The Centre was founded in 2007 at the University of Canterbury and includes researchers from UC’s Colleges of Science and Engineering and partners with several New Zealand Crown Research Institutes, Universities and Callaghan Innovation. It is a multi-disciplinary research centre dedicated to the study of molecular interactions critical to biological function. Understanding these interactions is central to a range of fundamental sciences, new treatments for disease and a wide range of highly functional products.

Dr Murray McEwan was Professor of Chemistry at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch until 2010. His research interests were centred on selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and he developed strong research links with colleagues at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, USA investigating ion molecule chemistry of interstellar and planetary atmospheres. When the University of Canterbury commercialized the technology with the formation of Syft Technologies Ltd in 2002, Murray served as Chief Technology Officer of the new company. He continues to be heavily involved in the further development of the technology.