Three professors from Faculty of Science feature in Honours List

Professor Rochelle Constantine, Emeritus Professor Paul Williams, and Professor Lynette Tippett, all of the Faculty of Science, were in the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours List. All three were named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

“My congratulations to all three, who deserved to be honoured for their research excellence over decades and their extensive contributions to worthwhile causes in the community and the environment,” said Dean of Science John Hosking.

Professor Rochelle Constantine was awarded for services to wildlife conservation and marine biology after her pioneering research into the conservation of marine mammals for 30 years.

She is the Head of the Marine Mammal Ecology Lab in the School of Biological Sciences and has led ground-breaking scientific research into endemic dolphin species, advising government departments on threat management plans for Hector’s and Māui dolphins.

Speed restrictions were imposed in shipping lanes in the Hauraki Gulf to reduce accidental whale deaths after her research into ‘ship-strike’ of Bryde’s whales.

Professor Constantine has authored 147 scientific publications and has been the Chair of the International Whaling Commission - Southern Ocean Research Partnership humpback whale research since 2010.

Emeritus Professor Paul Williams was awarded for services to geoscience and environmental science through world-leading research in geomorphology, hydrology, karst and paleoclimatology for more than 50 years.

His roles at the University of Auckland since 1972 have included Deputy Dean of Science and Head of the Geography Department. He led the establishment of Environmental Science teaching in 1975.

Input from Professor Williams on international conservation has contributed to many sites being awarded natural World Heritage status.

He’s authored books which remain foundational texts for geological and geographical research and teaching.

Professor Lynette Tippett was awarded for services to neuropsychology and people with dementia.

She is a leader in neuropsychology and dementia research, whose work has had important implications for New Zealanders affected by dementia and Huntington’s disease.

During almost 30 years in the School of Psychology, she has provided training in neuropsychology to thousands of undergraduates, supervised more than 80 postgraduate students and played a major leadership role in the promotion of women and Māori at the University.

Her innovative research has carefully mapped psychological, emotional and cognitive changes in Huntington’s disease to cellular changes in specific brain regions.

Since 2014, she has been National Director of a network of Dementia Prevention Research Clinics. Since 2019, Professor Tippett has volunteered as a member of the Alzheimer’s New Zealand Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board, providing expert opinion and advice to Alzheimers New Zealand.