Science summer research scholarships

Each year the Faculty of Science offers several exciting scholarships through the Summer Research Scholarship Scheme. These scholarships provide students with a unique opportunity to pursue an area of research they are passionate about.

To apply for a scholarship, get in touch with the supervisor directly.

Application instructions for late round Summer Research Scholarships:

• Before applying, please review the eligibility criteria and regulations to ensure you meet the necessary requirements. Please note that the Summer Research Scholarship for the late round can be awarded to eligible students enrolled at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland only.
• Note that applicants should only apply for one project that best aligns with their interests.
• To apply, click the "Apply" button for the project you are interested in, which will direct you to send an email to the respective supervisor. Please attach both your CV and a copy of your academic transcripts.
• In the subject line of your email, clearly state the project number and title. In the body, include a brief introduction and explain why you are interested in the project.
• If your application is suitable, the respective supervisor will contact you directly by 29 October 2026.
• The application deadline is close of business on 19 October 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
• For the late round, the Scholarship Office wil enrol students directly in SUMRESCH 301, so students do not need to apply separately for admission to the Summer Research Scholarship Programme. 
• Please note that this round is limited to domestic students.   

Industrial areas occupy large parts of our cities but are rarely considered as places that can support biodiversity, ecological function, and nature-positive outcomes. Yet these landscapes contain opportunities for habitat creation, ecological restoration, stormwater management, urban cooling, and improved wellbeing.

This project will contribute to the MBIE-funded Future Urban Industry (FUI) research programme, which is investigating how urban-industrial areas can become more sustainable and resilient. Working within the Wiri–Te Puhinui case study area in South Auckland, the student will help identify, map, and classify ecological intervention opportunities across public and private land.

Using a combination of GIS data, aerial imagery, field observations, and existing ecological datasets, the student will develop a typology of ecological opportunities, including habitat nodes, ecological corridors, green infrastructure, stormwater treatment opportunities, and biodiversity enhancement sites. The resulting maps and classifications will help inform future opportunities for biodiversity enhancement, ecological restoration and green infrastructure and contribute to the programme's developing Digital Twin and Nature Positive assessment frameworks.

This project would suit a student interested in GIS and spatial analysis, urban ecology, restoration ecology, conservation planning, or sustainability science.

Skills needed:

• Interest in ecology, conservation, urban environments, or sustainability
• Basic GIS skills desirable (training can be provided)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
• Willingness to undertake some field visits in South Auckland
• Strong written communication skills

Supervisors:

Professor Jacqueline Beggs, Associate Professor Bruce Burns
School of Biological Sciences

Zoe Avery 
Faculty of Engineering and Design

Dr Robyn Simcock
Bioeconomy Science Institute: Maiangi Taiao

The New Zealand Fungarium is the largest collection of dried fungi in New Zealand, and delivers data associated with the collections through the BiotaNZ website.

The two successful applicants will provide assistance adding data to the fungal database, and maintaining, tracking, and storing fungal specimens and cultures and associated DNA sequence data. You will gain an understanding of the day-to-day running of a mycological research laboratory and key techniques you will learn include handling fungarium specimens, data capture and management, and microscopy.

In addition, you will be expected to assist with ongoing projects in the mycology labs at Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Tamaki. These could potentially involve culturing and identification of fungi from field samples, analysis of DNA data, etc.

Skills needed:

• Attention to detail
• Ability to keyboard accurately
• A general interest in fungi, bacteriology or plant pathology

Supervisors:
Dr Mahajabeen Padamsee, Adrienne Stanton
Bioeconomy Science Institute - Manaaki Whenua Group

Early adolescence (11-14 years) marks a multitude of significant life transitions; primarily the transition from childhood into teenage hood. This includes, but is not limited to, transitioning from either primary school to intermediate, or from intermediate to beginning college, beginning puberty, finding their identity, sexuality, navigating social and relationship changes, dealing with new expectations from adults, managing greater independence and questioning the values of parents/institutions. This period of development is inter-mixed with the current generation of technological advancement; fostering the emergence of digital natives that have a greater dependence on visual formats to share information. Moreover, the past decade has seen a large rise in mental health and neurodiversity awareness inconjunction with increasing mental health concern.

This Summer Research project builds on a previous students’ inquiry into Depression amongst 11-14year olds that highlighted a gap in educational resources for this age group. Graphic medicine has been identified as a medium for creating an educational resource on Depression for this age group.

Skills needed:

• Have a base understanding of depression in early adolescence
• Have some experience with graphic design
• Have an interest in Graphic Medicine
• Has the academic capability and creative capacity to create the Graphic Medicine Resource

Supervisor:
Hineatua Parkinson
School of Psychology

In this Marsden-funded project, we are investigating new paradigms to transport charge at the molecular scale using the dynamic nature of supramolecular architectures known as molecular machines. In doing so, we seek to overcome current limitations in biomimetic artificial photosynthesis and successfully mimic key steps of natural photosynthesis. 

Offered projects include:

• Developing and studying rotaxanes that transport charge via molecular machine-type behaviour.
• Developing synthetic approaches to higher order rotaxanes for long-range charge separation.

Skills needed: 200-level synthetic chemistry lab experience (CHEM251/253)

Supervisor:
Dr Christopher Larsen
School of Chemical Sciences

Hearing is an important sensory mode for marine animals to understand their surroundings. In recent years, our understand of how crustaceans hear has grown, however gaps still remain. Past hearing research on crustaceans has focused on sound as it travels through the water column, despite most species being benthic, and spending much of their time on or very close to the substrate. As sound travels along the substrate, it creates Rayleigh waves (i.e. substrate vibrations), which can travel great distances from the source. Substrate vibrations may be an important component of their hearing.

To better understand how crustaceans perceive substrate vibrations, we will use a paired experiment to test two species of substrate dwelling species of crustaceans (Austrohelice crassa, and Alpheus richardsoni) respond to substrate vibrations. For this experiment, we will present individual animals a series of frequencies while varying the intensity levels, and record their responses to them to determine their lower hearing threshold. The second part of the experiment will use Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP) to generate a sound reception threshold for each species. Using the same experimental setup, we will use a preestablished AEP collection protocol to generate a sound reception threshold for each animal.

By having each animal go through both tests, we will be able to compare between the collection styles to see if there is a difference between the AEP generated sound reception thresholds, and the behaviourally determined hearing thresholds.

Skills needed:

• Keen eye for detail
• Basic knowledge of crustacean sensory system
• Understanding of hearing underwater

Supervisors:
Professor Craig Radford, Emily Leedham
Institute of Marine Science

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Oncolytic viruses are an emerging class of therapeutics for cancer treatment. These viruses selectively infect and lyse cancerous cells. However, these therapies still suffer from certain limitations, perhaps the greatest of clearance of the virus prior to complete tumour destruction due to the patient’s immune system. To elicit maximal efficacy, these viruses can be used incombination with chemotherapeutics or radiotherapy.

The presence of viral infection provides new opportunities to develop selectively targeted chemotherapeutics.

This project seeks to develop a novel Virus-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (VDEPT). Cytotoxic payloads will be developed and conjugated to an inactivating peptide sequence that is selectively cleaved by the protease of a promising oncolytic virus to release the active cytotoxin selectively in the tumour microenvironment. Thus, the project seeks to develop a novel prodrug and combination therapy. A key aspect of the research will be optimising the self-immolating cleavable linker system for a favourable rate of payload release.

The project is an active collaboration with the University of Otago. The successful candidate will develop skills in modern organic chemical synthesis, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS), reverse phase-HPLC and may also have the opportunity to conduct biological assays/enzyme assays.

Skills needed: A background in organic or medicinal chemistry undergraduate courses.

Supervisor:
Dr Alan Cameron
School of Chemical Sciences

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Contemporary understandings of time include physics-based as well as process philosophical accounts, and Indigenous philosophies such as the 7th generation principle, an Iroquois philosophy that shifts perspective from short to long term consequences. Thinking seven generations into the future changes our way of relating with time to promote more sustainable decisions, and is one such way to reorient how we design technology and consider our relationships with technologies.

Our research in philosophical underpinnings and evolutionary robotics simulations explores the ontology of change (movement through time). We have developed an Ordinary Differential Equation simulation that models human engagements with technology and their implications. We explore how concepts like boredom and technology addiction emerge from interaction metaphors based on gravity and magnetism. The simulation is currently positioned as a tool for thinking through concepts and self-reflection.

This summer internship will include compiling a reading list and having weekly discussions to learn about Māori and Indigenous philosophies of time. The intern will prototype how these might be expressed through simulation, symbols, metaphors, visual language, etc., as well as how they elucidate aspects of human relationships with technology.

Skills needed:

• An interest in philosophy and developing applications and interfaces
• An eye for design and visual appeal

Supervisors:
Maya Gibson (Ngāti Apa), Associate Professor Danielle Lottridge
School of Computer Science

We are offering up to five summer projects for Māori students, through Beyond Prediction, an MBIE-funded data science platform. Our aim is to increase the Māori data science workforce, but we have hosted students across many different disciplines. Students will be matched with a supervisor/topic based on their skills and interests. Past students have explored population data, epidemiology and health data, statistics and maths education, Māori data sovereignty, AI, data visualisation, and applying tikanga and mātaraunga to data science. Please get in touch with Lara to discuss topics and supervision.

Past projects have included:

• Finding, digitizing and displaying historical Māori cancer data, and other Māori health equity data for a Waitangi Tribunal report.
• Work to develop a data visualization tool for data and creating a teaching resource.
• Applying tikanga and mātauranga Māori to data science, including in the genomics space e.g., conceptualizing the use of whakapapa data in data science.
• Reviewing regulatory frameworks for Indigenous data sovereignty and AI

i) creating trusted explanations from research literature using AI or
(ii) building a ‘live’ research article - one that refreshes itself as new data and methods become available. (For students with a strong computer science or computer engineering skills).

Skills needed:

• Undergraduate studies in a data/quantitative analysis-heavy subject and/or studies/an interest in Māori data sovereignty from a policy or law perspective
• An interest in applying data science to real world problems

We have projects for students with no coding skills through to advanced coding skills.

Supervisors: 
Assoc Prof Lara Greaves (Ngāpuhi), Prof Mark Gahegan (Pākehā), Eric Marshall (Ngāpuhi), Tori Diamond (Ngāpuhi), Assoc Prof Phil Wilcox (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka; Otago University), Assoc Prof Andrew Sporle (Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne, Te Rarawa)

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

This Clinical Placement Scholarship was established in 2026 and is a three-way collaboration between: Ngā Motu Whakahī (the Māori and Pasifika research mentoring programme within the Faculty of Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland), Te Pūriri o Te Ora Regional Cancer and Blood Service, Te Toka Tumai, Auckland, and The New Zealand Branch of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM).

The regulations are similar to the University of Auckland Summer Research Scholarship regulations, with a few key differences to prioritise Māori and Pacific ethics and student engagement and is intended to provide in-depth clinical experience of the role of a Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist rather than a research project.

The main purpose of the Scholarship is to give current Māori and Pacific domestic students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the work of clinical Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists, to build whakawhanaungatanga with the Medical Physics and Radiation Oncology community, and to thereby encourage them to pursue a registrar position to train as a Medical Physicist.

Skills needed:

• An interest in medical physics
• Data analysis and coding skills

Supervisors:
Christine Thompson
ADHB

Claude Aguergaray, Jami Shepherd
Department of Physics

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

A funded project is available to study soft microparticles (e.g. cells) being squeezed within a constriction (e.g. a pipette tip). This work is part of a project to develop new methods for easily analysing the mechanical properties of soft particles. 

The project may be experimental or computational, depending on the student’s interests and skills. 

For example, an experimental project could work on collecting and analysing data for a particular set of soft particles. A theory/computational project could work on models that are used to find mechanical properties based on experimental data.

 Visit the Fluidics at Small Scales website to learn more. 

Skills needed:

• Familiarity conducting experiments (course work acceptable)
• Some data analysis and coding skills.

Supervisor:
Prof Geoff Wilmott
Department of Physics

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Pasifika communities have a longstanding history of experiencing negative health outcomes. These outcomes are increasingly visible in the utilisation of and barriers to various levels of the public healthcare system. Despite comprising less than 10% of the population, Pasifika peoples have the highest standardised rates of preventable hospitalisations. This has been the case for at least two-decades. To date, little is known about the experiences of Pasifika peoples during hospitalisation – particularly in terms of their psychological and wellbeing needs. PIHES is a series of mixed-methods studies seeking to contribute to this knowledge gap using vā (relationality) as a critical lens to promote culturally nuanced and positioned health knowledge.

Health Psychology is the application of psychological models and theories in physical health issues and healthcare contexts. Therefore, this studentship is suited to a candidate with a passion for health equity, and a strong interest in Pasifika/Pacific psychologies. Familiarity with psychology research methods, and critical reading and writing skills will place the candidate in good stead to make the most of this opportunity. PIHES is a clinically based research project and a summer student will be able to contribute to fieldwork, engage in and understand Pasifika health psychology data, and gain insight and experience in research design.

Skills needed:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Strong literature review, comprehension and writing skills
• An interest in Pasifika/Indigenous psychologies and research methods
• Knowledge and proficiency with SPSS or a willingness to learn 
• Will be able to commence on an agreed start date following exams and attend weekly fono with supervisors. There will be a three-week break during the Christmas and New Year period. 

Supervisors:
Dr Sarah Kapeli (Lapaha, Tongatapu), Jessee Fia'Ali'i (Afega/Fogāsavaii, Sāmoa)
School of Psychology

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

In this project, the student will work with a new laser system that can be used for a variety of emerging quantum and analogue computing technologies. The system can be used as a quantum random number generator, producing inherently unbiased randomness for cryptography and security. Alternatively, the laser pulses can be coupled together to form an analogue computer for solving exponentially difficultcombinatorial problems.

The student will gain experience working in an experimental optics lab including the use of lasers, photodetection tools and hardware programming. Some numerical work will also be taught, including modelling differential equations and statistical analysis of output data.

Skills needed:

• Basic experience with coding (Python or MATLAB)
• Prior knowledge/interest in problem solving, hardware programming or Computation and Optimisation would be advantageous.

Supervisors:
Professor Stéphane Coen, Dr Liam Quinn, Kane Hill 
Department of Physics

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

The Tuākana Maths, Stats, and Physics programmes all share a common space, where Māori and Pacific tauira gather for tutoring, mentoring, relaxing, and kai. Recently, a survey for Māori and Pacific Tauira participants (and non participants) in the Tuākana programme in Physics, Maths, and Stats has been developed. The survey, consists mostly of open-ended items,  that aim to understand previous research that suggested a connection between retention in physics and participation in Tuākana. This project aims to do several things related to developing a holistic understandingof this shared Tuākana space: 

• Administering surveys to recent participants (and non-participants) in the Tuākana programmes hosted by Maths, Stats, and Physics,
• Running an analysis on said survey results,
• Constructing an alumni database of past participants of the Tuākana programme in Maths, Stats, and Physics
• Interviewing alumni on their experiences being part of the Tuākana programme.

The idea is to invite descriptions of whakawhanaungatanga as it relates to persisting through a STEM degree, and how or why participation in Tuākana helped in realising this.

Skills needed:

• Experience coding (python, R or any language will do)
• Experience analysing qualitative data is a bonus
• A keen interest in fostering development and capability building in Māori and Pacific spaces.

Supervisors:
Dr Ben Pollard, Dr Kannan Ridings (Rongowhakaata), Susan Wingfield, Dr Maila Puloka
Department of Physics, Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Access and affordability of hearing services in rural Northland is a challenge – this has prompted Te Hiku Hauora, in a Māori Health organisation in Kaitaia, to partner with Tāmaki Makaurau Hearing Trust to explore a new programme for supporting hearing health for kaumātua and other kiritaki. The programme provides free hearing assessments and affordable (very low cost but high quality) hearing aids to kiritaki. This summer research project will assess the impact of this Pathfinder programme for individual kiritaki and acceptability of the programme for local health providers.

The project involves analysis of data that measures changes in hearing (including social) outcomes for kiritaki who receive hearing aids. A standardised questionnaire has been administered pre and post hearing aid fitting and informal interviews have been conducted. The student researcher will add to this data by interviewing kiritaki and health providers to explore the programme in more depth across different interest holders.

Skills needed:

• An interest in Māori community health
• Able to drive to Kaitaia and conduct interviews with health staff and kaumātua
• Transcription and qualitative data analysis of interview data
• Questionnaire data analysis

Supervisors:
Professor Suzanne Purdy, Peter Stubbing
School of Psychology

Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) refers to the rights Indigenous people have to data that relates to them, and how it is designed, collected, accessed, interpreted, and used. Māori and Pacific Data Sovereignty recognises that Māori and Pacific data should be subject to Indigenous governance. Essential to IDSov is Māori and Pacific peoples beingnot only data producers and consumers but also data designers and collectors.

The IDSov Resource Hub will be an online platform to support researchers to locate relevant resources on how they can manage Indigenous research data. The IDSov Hub will be an evidence base that can inform practices, which staff and students can consult in alignment with Taumata Teitei and existing Research Policy. This is vital because our researchers increasingly have to consider responsiveness to IDSov throughout the research data lifecycle.

The IDSov Resource Hub will be created with information on IDSov, CARE Principles, data maturity, and practical examples of best practice. Overall, these activities will significantly support equity and research practice as aligning with IDSov values will support the School and Faculty to foster inclusive data cultures that prioritise the rights of Indigenous communities, leading to more equitable and responsible data practices.

Skills needed:

• Critical reading and writing skills
• An eye for design and visual appeal
• An interest in indigenous data sovereignty
• Experience in academic writing and gathering and organising documents 

Supervisors:
Dr Sarah Kapeli, Larissa Renfrew
School of Psychology

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Statistical disclosure control (SDC) methods are used to protect the confidentiality of people when official statistics are publicly released. One of the primary methods of SDC is called Random Rounding to Base 3 (RR3). In this summer project, we build on prior work and test whether RR3 may be vulnerable to attack using an AI method named Reinforcement Learning. The overarching question is: are confidentiality methods that are currently in-use fit for purpose in today’s digital environment?

You will be contributing to a larger research project that will help gather information on the robustness of confidentiality methods, with the aim of making more informed decisions regarding the protection of the public’s data.

This summer scholarship is funded from the Faculty of Science funded grant: “Data confidentiality methods and Māori data sovereignty.”

Skills needed: Familiarity with a programming language (Python or R).

Supervisors:
Dr Daniel Wilson, Dr Kerry McInerney
Te Kura Mātai Rorohiko | School of Computer Science

Auckland Transport seeks to undertake a second longitudinal study in partnership with the University of Auckland to build on the pilot research completed in 2024. The purpose of the study is to strengthen the evidence base for Bike Hubs by examining whether engagement with Bike Hub services contributes to sustained changes in cycling behaviour over time, and to better understand the mechanisms that influence these changes. The study should also seek to address limitations identified in the pilot, including participantrecruitment, retention, and sample size.

The research will use a longitudinal design to track participants over multiple survey waves, enabling changes in behaviour, attitudes, confidence, and cycling participation to be measured over time. The study should include both Bike Hub users and an appropriate comparison group to support assessment of differences between those exposed and not exposed to Bike Hub services.

Key objectives are to:

• Measure changes in cycling frequency and regularity over time.
• Understand whether Bike Hub participation influences transport and recreational cycling behaviours.
• Assess changes in cycling-related attitudes, confidence, capability, and intentions.
• Identify which Bike Hub services or experiences appear most influential in supporting behaviour change.
• Improve understanding of how community cycling programmes contribute to Auckland Transport's active mode and behaviour change objectives.
• Generate robust evidence to inform future investment, programme design, and evaluation approaches.

Skills needed:

• Behavioural Insights (PSYCH 770) highly desirable
• Experience with survey design and analysis desirable

Supervisor:
Professor Nichola Raihani
School of Pychology

Experiments and observations of the real world are the bedrock of truth in science. Therefore, lab courses are an essential part of learning to be a scientist. This project will help science teachers and education researchers understand how our current teaching of physics labs supports or hinders students’ learning of these essential aspects of being a scientist.

Through this project, you will analyse transcripts of interviews conducted with students about their thinking and feelings about their Stage 2-3 lab courses in the Physics Department. We will teach you how to do that analysis, and about the learning goals that are specific to physics labs. The results of this analysis will help improve lab courses for future physics students, and support science teaching broadly in other departments and at universities around the world.

This project is funded by the Department of Physics Research Committee.

Ideal qualifications:

• Completion of at least one Physics AdvLab course (PHYSICS 201, 244, 202, 203, 390, or 399).
• Interest in qualitative analysis for science education research.

Supervisors:
Ben Pollard, Associate Professor Maurice Cheng
Department of Physics, School of Education and Social Practice

The 6-12 week weather forecasting timescale is known as the “predictability desert” because forecast models show very little skill on these timescales due to chaotic atmospheric dynamics. However, large-scale ocean and atmosphere patterns occasionally provide signals that result in a more skilful forecast. It is therefore key to develop methods to identify which atmospheric dynamics optimise forecast skill because it can reduce uncertainty in long-range predictions.

This project will develop methods to identify patterns in the climate system that minimise long-term forecast errors in the New Zealand region, and establish the underlying physics that can lead to long-term predictability. 

Skills needed: 

• Python programming
• Stage 2 maths
• Interest in climate dynamics/climate change

Supervisor:
Dr Emily Gordon
Department of Physics

Thousands of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used for their remarkable chemical, water, heat and stain-resistant properties. However, these same properties make them extraordinarily persistent, allowing them to move through the environment, bioaccumulate and pose significant risks to human health. Growing global concerns have already led to regulatory bans and restrictions, highlighting an urgent need for safer, high-performance alternatives.

In this research project you will be at the forefront of developing the next generation of sustainable PFAS-like materials.  You will help design, synthesise, and characterise the alternatives, evaluate their performance, and investigate how they break down in real-world conditions.  Your work will contribute directly to tackling one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges – helping to create safer products for a cleaner and healthier future.

This project is funded by the Royal Society Te Apārangi Marsden Grant.

Skills needed:

• Undergraduate chemistry lab experience
• Desire to synthesise and characterise materials
• Interest in learning air-sensitive techniques

Supervisor:
Associate Professor Erin Leitao
School of Chemical Sciences

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Many important drug-targets have long been considered ‘undruggable’. Cyclic peptides (circular chains of amino acids) are poised to offer a new era of drug discovery, reaching ‘undruggable’ targets at the interface of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). However, these cyclic peptides require extensive modification to be suitable drugs for use in humans. Currently, only limited methods exist to directly identify ‘drug-like’ cyclic peptides from the
massive libraries (often >109 individual molecules) required to find strong target binders. The key challenge is to identify the ‘needle in a haystack’ from these massive libraries that binds the target and may be a magic bullet for currently untreatable diseases.

This project seeks to develop a novel chemical platform to directly identify drug-like’ target binders from cyclic peptide libraries which require only minimal further modification – leapfrogging several steps in the existing development pipeline (Fig. 1).

The project will entail chemical synthesis of cyclic peptide libraries, utilising specially engineered linker systems that allow for cleavage (linearisation) of the cyclic peptides, after they bind a target of interest, into simple linear peptides that can be indentified from large libraries by mass spectrometry fragmentation (MS-MS) approaches.

As a candidate in this project, your work will be focused on chemical synthesis, analysis and studying appropriate cleavage conditions to linearise peptide libraries hit compound identification. 

Skills needed: A background in organic or medicinal chemistry undergraduate courses.

Supervisor:
Dr Alan Cameron
School of Chemical Sciences

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Antibiotic resistance is recognised by the WHO as one of the greatest threats to humanity and infectious diseases rank as the second most common cause of death worldwide.

Polymyxin antibiotics are the current last line of defence, but are severely nephrotoxic. Most worryingly, since 2015, a mobile resistance gene (mcr-1) has been spreading globally and making our last hope in the clinic ineffective. In 2022, macolacin was discovered. Macolacin is a new polymyxin scaffold that retains potent activity towards mcr-1 mediated polymyxin resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

This project seeks to conduct a structure-activity-relationship (SAR) study of macolacin and prepare new analogues with diminished toxicity that could replace polymyxins as last-line of defence antibiotics in the clinic. Successful candidates will use organic synthesis techniques and modern methods of solid phase peptide synthesis. Candidates will also have the opportunity to undertake and learn biological assays if they desire.

Skills needed: A background in organic or medicinal chemistry undergraduate courses.

Supervisor:
Dr Alan Cameron
School of Chemical Sciences

Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) refers to the rights Indigenous people have to data that relates to them, and how it is designed, collected, accessed, interpreted, and used. Māori and Pacific Data Sovereignty recognises that Māori and Pacific data should be subject to Indigenous governance. Essential to IDSov is Māori and Pacific peoples beingnot only data producers and consumers but also data designers and collectors.

Te Mana Raraunga (The Māori Data Sovereignty Network) Resource Pathways need to be created to support researchers to locate relevant resources on how they can uphold IDSov (Indigenous data sovereignty). The IDSov pathways will be an evidence base that can inform communities of researchers, practitioners, and many more. This is vital because there has increasingly  been a need to consider responsiveness to IDSov throughout the research data lifecycle. The IDSov Resource pathway will be created with information on IDSov, CARE Principles, Data Maturity, and practical examples of best practice. Overall, these activities will significantly support equity and research practice as aligning with IDSov values will support many to foster inclusive data cultures that prioritise the rights of Indigenous communities, leading to more equitable and responsible data practices.

Skills needed:

• Critical reading and writing skills
• An eye for design and visual appeal
• An interest in indigenous data sovereignty
• Experience in academic writing and gathering and organising documents

Supervisors:
Professor Suzanne Purdy, Larissa Renfrew
School of Psychology