For immediate release
Major funding investment in University of Auckland science
The University of Auckland has received more than $44 million in new funding in the latest funding round from the
Ministry of Innovation, Science and Employment with a $25.5 million investment in leading-edge science research.
The University of Auckland has received more than $44 million in new funding in the latest funding round from the
Ministry of Innovation, Science and Employment with a $25.5 million investment in leading-edge science research.
Dean of Science Professor John Hosking says the announcement by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce was an
acknowledgement of the world-class research being carried out in the Faculty of Science.
“This funding goes towards highly advanced science research in a wide variety of fields where our scientists are
pioneering new technologies and research that will contribute not only to New Zealand’s economic growth but to everyday
aspects of people’s lives.
“I congratulate the researchers who have been successful in this funding round and I am delighted that the very
important work being done here at the University has attracted such substantial investment.”
Successful projects that were funded in the 2014 science investment round include the Biocide Toolbox led by Professor
Ralph Cooney from the School of Chemical Sciences which receives $15.2 million.
The aim is to create greener biocides agents which combine new synthetic and natural agents. The interdisciplinary team
on the project includes Scion, the Cawthron Institute and the University of Otago. Commercialisation partners include
thirty three companies.
Research on high-density air quality measurement instruments led by Professor David Williams from the School of Chemical
Sciences receives $4.89 million while senior lecturer Dr Frederique Vanholsbeeck of the Department of Physics receives
$3.12 million for a food safe project on real-time bacterial counts.
Associate Professor Cather Simpson’s work on beam shaping for Femtosecond Laser Machining receives $1.4 million. She is
Director of the University’s Photo Factory and Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Sciences.
Professor Penny Brothers receives $935,000 for research measuring pH with an RFID chip.
“I am extremely proud of the quality of the research being done within the Faculty of Science and delighted that our
work has been recognised through this latest funding round,” Professor Hosking says.