scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts

This week Blue Plunkett talks with scientist Andrew Dare about his journey to become a molecular biologist. Andrew talks about his special interest in secondary metabolites of plants - in particular, phloridzin, a metabolite that is only found in apples and has potential for people with type 2 diabetes.

In this special edition recorded at the Horticulture Conference 2019, Plant & Food Research GM Science Food Innovation Jocelyn Eason, NZ's first ever MasterChef winner Brett McGregor and renowned food writer Niki Bezzant explore the growing plant-based diet trend as Brett cooks up a storm for the audience.

Hi all, this week researchers Andrew Dare, Blue Plunkett, Jay Jayaraman and Tom Saunders will update you on a range of news topics: "lungs" in plants, improving the flu vaccine, a trending #InMice movement, and hydrogen as a potential superconductor. We also delve into a divisive topic: "What is natural?"

We sit down with Italian Brown Marmorated Stink Bug expert Professor Claudio Ioriatti during his event-packed recent visit to New Zealand. He shares first-hand account of the devastation of BMSB in Europe and his experience in controlling the pest and other invasive insects that may pose threats to the biosecurity of New Zealand. We acknowledge the conference travel support of Agmardt.

The traditional way of trapping and counting invasive insects gets old really fast. Biosecurity Research Associate Taylor Welsh has engineered a trapping system that uses the optical beam break technology to accurate identify insects by wing beats. Learn more about this with another new Lincoln-based host Rebecca Bloomer.

Take a walk down memory lane with recently retired Principal Scientist Dr Nigel Larsen. The Science NZ Plant & Food Research Lifetime Achievement Awardee recounts his science journey and his time at DSIR and Crop & Food Research, the predecessors of Plant & Food Research. He also discusses his recent work on proteins that aggravate Coeliac disease. Thanks again to Bioinformatician Susan Thompson f...

Soil scientist Trish Fraser talks about what soil actually is (hint: not just dirt) and the importance of soil in the environment and for our primary sectors. Our podcaster this week is scientist Nicola Sullivan, another new podcaster covering science from our Lincoln site, welcome aboard scigest Nicola.

Not all wasps are created equal. The majority are an important part of our environment in New Zealand, and wasp protein could be the next big thing for food innovation. Bioinformatician Susan Thomson talks to Entomologist Lloyd Stringer about the good guys, but more importantly, the bad guys and steps taken to reduce their populations. This is the first podcast recorded from our Lincoln site, and...

This week Blue Plunket talks to well travelled post-doctoral scientist Dr Mohamad Al Hassan. Originally from Lebanon, Dr Al Hassan did his Masters in France and his PHD in Spain before travelling to NZ to further his career. We cover his journey into science, the academic road to NZ and his work here on the stress tolerances of plants.

New Zealand is blessed with high UV but moderate temperature, which gives our world renowned white wine a signature fresh, lively and green flavour. With climate change will the warming climate affect the taste of your favourite sauvignon blanc? Wine scientist Dr Damian Martin tells us how winegrowers are adapting to the evolving growing environment and exploring new varieties.

Prof. Juliet Gerrard tells her story of how her interest in science began and how she developed skills in industry, academia and now as the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor. As she shares thoughts and hopes around the future of New Zealand science, she emphasises the importance of being inclusive and offers advice for all stages of a science career.

We discuss the tricky job of being the New Zealand Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor with Prof. Juliet Gerrard. Join our scigest hosts Andrew, Jessica and Blue as they escape the lab to interview one of our leading lights in science in her office. We will hear her thoughts on the role after six months, including how it can help governments address some of the big issues facing New Zealand. Di...

Applied entomology scientist Jacqui Todd talks about her academic journey into her career, her love of all animals which led to a change in science direction, and working on edible New Zealand insects.

Emerging kiwifruit scientist Dr Sarah Pilkington talks about how her genetic research that eliminates unproductive male kiwifruit vines can improve kiwifruit orchard productivity. The project has landed her the prestigious Science New Zealand Plant & Food Research Early Career Researcher Award. Her adventurous nature, lessons from her mentors, and time management skills have benefited her personal...

Myrtle rust - it's been in the news a lot since it was first found in New Zealand in 2017 and could have a major effect on some of our native trees. So what actually is it, how far has it spread and what native trees are most at risk? Blue Plunkett talks to Dr Robert Beresford, a pathologist and specialist on rusts who has been working on understanding the spread of the disease in New Zealand.

Can you rise up the ranks in science and be an involved parent at the same time? In a follow-up podcast, Science Group Leader Jill Stanley shares not only personal experiences of raising two sons while developing her career but also thoughts and perspectives as a science manager and mentor.

Dr Jill Stanley recounts her remarkable journey from a keen high school student to her current role as Science Group Leader of Fruit Crops Physiology and Pollination. Her passion and courage to step out of her comfort zone has led to a switch of university degree, a relocation of the entire family to Spain, and a helicopter ride to West Papua's equatorial glaciers to help revegetate the world's la...

Environmental scientist Dr Brent Clothier joins us in the kitchen today for a second episode on climate change. Find out how you, as a consumer, can vote with your wallet to make a difference in the food aisle.

Welcome to part 3 and our last Ask Me Anything podcast from students in Room 8, Owairaka District school in Mt Albert, Auckland. Our scientist answering their questions is Dr Nicholas Martin an Entomologist (insect scientist) at Plant & Food Research who has spent over 40 years studying insects, and naming a few new species too!

When climate change becomes imminent, what can growers do to adapt to extreme weather events to sustain their production or even thrive in the new normal? This week environmental scientist Dr Brent Clothier talks about different levels of adaptation for horticultural production, why horticulture should play a bigger role in the New Zealand economy and how our products can command an eco-premium th...

Welcome to Part 2 of a 3 part Ask Me Anything podcast series with questions from students in Room 8, Owairaka District school in Mt Albert, Auckland. Our scientist answering their questions this week is Dr Nicholas Martin an Entomologist (insect scientist) at Plant & Food Research who has spent over 40 years studying insects, and naming a few new species too!

How can New Zealand prepare for the shifting global protein demands as the flexitarian diet becomes more mainstream? For the first time on Scigest, we have two guests: Dr Jocelyn Eason, General Manager of Food Innovation and Tracey Phelps from our Consumer & Products Insight team.

Welcome to Part 1 of our very first Ask Me Anything podcast with questions from students in Room 8, Owairaka District school in Mt Albert, Auckland. Our scientist answering their questions this week is Dr Nicholas Martin an Entomologist (insect scientist) at Plant & Food Research who has spent over 40 years studying insects, and naming a few new species too!

Scientist Emma Sherman talks about her recent publication titled "Impact of Grape Maturity and Ethanol Concentration on Sensory Properties of Washington State Merlot Wines". This work was chosen as '2018 Enology Best Paper' by the American Society of Enology and Viticulture (ASEV), and celebrated at their National Conference in Monterey, California in June 2018.

Emma Sherman, a soon-to-be PhD graduate from the University of Auckland, describes how a passion for chemistry, collaboration and exploration have helped her become an award-winning scientist as part of Plant and Food's Viticulture and Oenology group. Emma received the 'Enology Best Paper' award at the American Society of Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) National Conference in June 2018.