2008 New Fellows

The research of the new Fellows reveals the diversity and breadth in the innovative science that is being carried out in New Zealand across the range of our Universities and scientific institutes. Six of the new Fellows come from Universities and four from Crown Research Institutes.

The research of five of the new Fellows covers exciting developments in the health sciences; from new understanding of the micro-architecture of inter-vertebral discs (Professor Broom, University of Auckland), through the calcium dynamics of cardiac cells (Professor Cannell, University of Auckland) and the immunology of periodontal diseases (Professor Seymour, University of Otago)), to the mathematics of epidemics (Professor Roberts, Massey University) and the production of new vaccines (Dr Buddle, AgResearch). In chemistry, the investigations of two of the new Fellows have increased our knowledge of surface chemistry using spectroscopy (Associate Professor. McQuillan, University of Otago), and in creating molecules that are potent drugs (Dr Tyler, Industrial Research Ltd).

Two of the new Fellows have developed new understanding of New Zealand’s earthquake geology (Dr Reyners, GNS Science) and the nature of New Zealand’s vegetation prior to human settlement (Dr McGlone, Landcare Research). The research of another Fellow has increased our understanding of the spread of languages across the globe and has also revealed that New Caledonian crows have developed tool-making abilities (Professor Gray, The University of Auckland).

As well, the Academy has elected to Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand three New Zealanders who are carrying out innovative research at Universities overseas. Professor Terry Collins, a graduate of The University of Auckland who is now with the Carnegie Mellon University in the USA, is a pre-eminent scientist developing ‘green chemistry’ for sustainable development. Professor Keith Worsley, also an Auckland graduate who is now with the University of Chicago, is one of the world’s leading statisticians. Professor John Miners, a graduate from Victoria University of Wellington and now at Flinders University in Australia, is also a world leader in research into drug metabolism and pharmacology.

The Royal Society of New Zealand now has 344 Fellows and 51 Honorary Fellows. Fellows are involved in providing expert advice, promoting scientific best practice, and disseminating scientific information.

Full details on each of the Fellows are given after this summary list.

New Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand

• Professor Neil Broom, Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland
• Dr Bryce Buddle, Eminent Scientist, AgResearch, Palmerston North
• Professor Mark Cannell, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland
• Professor Russell Gray, Department of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Auckland
• Dr Matt McGlone, Science Leader, Biodiversity & Conservation, Landcare Research, Lincoln
• Associate Professor Jim McQuillan, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin
• Dr Martin Reyners, Principal Scientist, Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences, Lower Hutt
• Professor Mick Roberts, Institute of Information & Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland
• Professor Gregory Seymour, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin
• Dr Peter Tyler, Principal Scientist, Industrial Research Ltd, Lower Hutt

Honorary Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand

• Professor Terry Collins, Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA
• Professor John Miners, Flinders University School of Medicine, Adelaide, Australia
• Professor Keith Worsley, Professor of Statistics, University of Chicago, USA