Category: Tertiary Education

Source: University of Otago

After a global search, Professor Jemma Geoghegan has been appointed the Webster Family Chair in Viral Pathogenesis at the University of Otago.
Professor Jemma Geoghegan.
A Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Geoghegan is the third holder of the position, following Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu who was appointed in 2019, and the inaugural recipient Professor Andrew Mercer, who held the position from 2005 until his retirement.
Her research focuses on how and why viruses jump hosts and emerge in new populations, and how they evolve while they spread. She has helped pioneer bioinformatic methods for the discovery of novel viruses which are beginning to revolutionise the study of virology.
“As part of the Leading Thinkers Initiative, this Chair is a huge privilege and I am incredibly grateful to Professor Webster and his family for making this possible,” Professor Geoghegan says.
“This position and the associated funding will mean that my current research will be expanded beyond what I thought would be possible. My hope is that by collaborating broadly and building up a network of people working in this area, we can really expand our understanding of this field of virology.”
Originally from Scotland, Professor Geoghegan completed her PhD with Professor Hamish Spencer in the Department of Zoology in 2012, before moving to the United States to undertake postdoctoral research on HIV at New York University. Her career then took her to University of Sydney and Macquarie University, before she returned to Otago with her family in early 2020.
COVID-19 hit the headlines about the same time as Professor Geoghegan arrived at Otago and she immediately found herself not just at the forefront of research into the virus, but often in front of media cameras and microphones, both nationally and internationally.
“Being on the front-line of the country’s response to a viral pandemic was definitely something I didn’t think I’d ever experience,” she says.
During this time, she co-led with her colleagues at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research the establishment of genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.
The resulting genomic approach was described as “world leading” in a report commissioned by the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and as a result viral genomics became critical to New Zealand’s successful public health response.
She continues to build on this work and was recently awarded a Health Research Council Project grant to lead genomic sequencing of other viral infections that have been, and will be re-introduced into the community following the return of international travel.
“Through this initiative, I intend to build Aotearoa’s inaugural framework for genomic pathogen surveillance,” Professor Geoghegan says.
A focus for Professor Geoghegan has always been to inspire and be a role model for women in science.
“An important priority for me is to train the next generation of scientists in this field, to build capability and ensure we are much better prepared to tackle the challenges that infectious diseases will bring,” she says.
“This role demonstrates leadership in research and I hope it will encourage a change in culture where women are seen to be leaders in this space too.”
Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson says Professor Geoghegan has an exceptional track record as an internationally recognised, respected and high impact scientist.
“As a globally respected scientist, Jemma has made significant contributions in her field which have not only garnered acclaim from peers but has also led to groundbreaking advancements.
“Jemma’s expertise and accomplishments makes her the ideal person for this prestigious position, and I have no doubt she will seize every opportunity to make even greater strides in her research and inspire others to do the same.”
The Webster Chair in Viral Pathogenesis
The University of Otago established the ‘Leading Thinkers Initiative’ in 2004 as part of the government’s Partnerships for Excellence Framework. The Initiative invested in people who were knowledge leaders working in areas considered vital to New Zealand’s well-being. Academics have been recruited from New Zealand and around the world to fill these prestigious and important positions. The projects cover the breadth of academic disciplines at Otago and all meet the objectives of the University’s Strategic Direction.
The Webster Family Chair in Viral Pathogenesis was endowed by Robert and Marjorie Webster in 2005 in conjunction with the Leading Thinkers campaign.
Professor Webster is a noted virologist and international expert in influenza. He was the first to acknowledge a link between human and avian flu. His team isolated and identified the avian-adapted strain of H5N1, the causative agent of H5N1 flu commonly known as “avian influenza” or “bird flu”. He is an expert in the structure and function of influenza proteins and in the development of new vaccines and anti-virals. The reservoir of influenza viruses in wild birds, and their role in the evolution of new pandemic strains for humans and lower animals, continue to be a focus of his work.
Robert Webster studied at the University of Otago in Microbiology where he completed a BSc and MSc. During his distinguished career, he has held many research posts, starting out as a virologist with the New Zealand Department of Agriculture.
He continues his work in infectious diseases at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the USA. He has published more than 600 original articles and reviews on influenza viruses.
For more information please contact:
Professor Jemma GeogheganDepartment of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoEmail jemma.geoghegan@otago.ac.nz
Lea JonesCommunications Adviser, Media EngagementUniversity of OtagoMob +64 21 279 4969Email lea.jones@otago.ac.nz

Source: University of Otago

Otago University Students’ Association Postgraduate Representative Keegan Wells has had a busy first half of the year.
Getting more people along to student-organised events and throwing her support behind the Study Wage For All campaign are highlights so far for the Otago University Students’ Association 2023 postgraduate representative.
Keegan Wells is just over halfway through her year-long appointment.
While growing engagement with Otago Postgraduate Association’s (OPA) events, of which she is president, and supporting OUSA president Quinten Jane’s campaign for a Study Wage For All have been highlights, the University’s proposed redundancies having a negative impact on the postgraduate student community are an obvious low, she says.
Postgraduate students are feeling the effects of the proposed redundancies more than undergraduate students, Wells says, because they work quite a bit more closely with staff, such as their supervisors.
“We have a lot of people who might want to get into the field of academia, and see the current climate, and be deterred by it which can be really difficult and really challenging as well.
“It’s personal for postgraduate students.”
Wells campaigned on bringing back the postgraduate student allowance, which was scrapped for postgraduate students at tertiary institutions across Aotearoa New Zealand in 2013.
This year she has contacted both Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Finance Minister Grant Robertson, asking them to reinstall it.
“I’ve basically received the same note back from both of them, as even though it was both their policy [to bring it back], COVID happened, and obviously everybody is needing more money.”
Not one for giving up, she says she has since shifted her focus towards pushing for the Study Wage For All.
It would be an “all encompassing” student allowance that all students could apply for, including postgraduate, she says.
“Quintin has been making a lot of headway on that. There is a petition out there similar to how we ran the Winter Energy Payment petition.”
Wells and other members of OUSA executive have been busy approaching local MPs trying to get the Study Wage For All off the ground.
OPA has had really good engagement this year “which is phenomenal”, she says.
A postgraduate happy hour will be starting up soon at Auahi Ora in the Union Building, OPA recently held a professional headshot phot session and there is a ball coming up, too.
Before the year is over, Wells hopes to maintain the support system and community OPA has created, and finish off her own thesis, as well as continuing to navigate “anything that pops up”.
-Kōrero by Koren Allpress, Internal Communications Adviser 

Source: University of Otago

A pattern of symptoms in veterans has emerged in a University of Otago study that researchers say should be taken seriously by health professionals.
The study, led by Professor David McBride and published in this week’s New Zealand Medical Journal, investigated the relationship between exposure to traumatic events and multiple symptom illness (MSI) – more than one medically unexplained symptom not fitting within a specific medical diagnosis.
MSI was first described in veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and occurs in both military personnel and civilians.
“The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of reporting of MSI among New Zealand veterans and investigate the relationship with PTSD as a risk factor,” he says.
The symptoms fall into three groups labelled arthro-neuro-muscular (joint/nerve/muscle pains) cognitive (sleeping problems, dreams, loss of concentration) and psycho/physiological (sore throat/nausea/glands).
The study looked at a sample of 1,672 New Zealand veterans – 59 per cent of whom had served in a war zone and 29 per cent who had at least some signs of PTSD. On average those with signs of PTSD reported 20 symptoms, while those without reported having nine symptoms. The number of symptoms also tended to increase with age.
“In summary, multiple symptom illness, rather than being an inexplicable pattern of health effects, remains stable across time and is linked to both chronic illness and poorer quality of life. Because of the pattern of symptom reporting and the veteran group reporting it, there is a plausible association between MSI and PTSD.
“This research tends to confirm that PTSD is associated with MSI, as did the finding that those veterans with PTSD had more severe symptoms,” he says.
If such a pattern of symptoms is found in a veteran, it should be further investigated.
“In Australian veterans, those with MSI developed more health conditions over time, the symptoms became more severe, and they had higher health service use, suggesting that it is important to catch these conditions early, and treat the underlying condition,” Professor McBride says.
“Health practitioners might find that a patient presenting with multiple symptoms including muscle and joint aches and pains, cognitive problems, disorders or sleep and avoidance is worthy of further investigation, including whether or not they have military service and enquiry about PTSD symptoms.”
For more information, please contact:
Professor David McBrideDepartment of Preventive and Social MedicineUniversity of OtagoEmail david.mcbride@otago.ac.nz
Lea JonesCommunications Adviser, Media EngagementUniversity of OtagoMob +64 21 279 4969Email lea.jones@otago.ac.nz

Source: University of Otago

New Zealand needs to lower the screening age for colorectal cancer if it wants to reverse the dramatic increase of people aged under 50 being diagnosed and dying from the disease, University of Otago researchers say.
In an editorial in this week’s New Zealand Medical Journal, Dr Oliver Waddell, Dr Tamara Glyn and Professor Frank Frizelle say Aotearoa is part of a world trend in which the number of people aged under 50 being diagnosed with bowel cancer – referred to as early onset colorectal cancer – is increasing.
From 1995 to 2012, colon cancer in New Zealand men aged under 50 increased by 14 per cent, and in women by 13 per cent.
The figures are even more concerning for Māori who are disproportionally affected by early onset bowel cancer – 30 per cent of bowel cancers in females and 25 per cent in men occur before the age of 50.
The trend is consistent with other studies from Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Asia, which all show a rapid increase in bowel cancer in those aged under 50. In the United States, the incidence of early-onset bowel cancer has doubled since the 1990s and by 2030 it has been estimated that more than one in 10 colon cancers and nearly one in four rectal cancers will occur in people aged under 50.
Countries that start screening at age 40 seem to have avoided the impact of this shift, Dr Waddell says.
New Zealand – where bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer – has one of the highest screening ages in the world. The National Bowel Screening Programme is currently only open to people aged 60 to 74. Australia screens for bowel cancer from age 50 however it is available to those who request it from age 45.
“A review of international trends in early onset colorectal cancer incidence rates across five continents found only three countries where the incidence rates were decreasing. Two out of these three countries – Italy and Austria – have been screening patients from the age of 40 or 44 since the 1980s,” Dr Waddell says.
The American Cancer Society recommends that screening should begin at age 45 and their modelling shows that this would result in an additional 22 to 27 life years gained per 1,000 people screened.
“If the age of eligibility for screening in New Zealand were lowered to 40 or 45 it would be likely to result in a proportional decrease in the diagnosis of early onset colorectal cancer as seen in countries with a lower age of screening.”
The incidence of early onset bowel cancer in New Zealand from 1995–2020 found that 45 per cent were aged between 45 and 49.
“This means that almost half of those early onset cases may either be prevented or diagnosed earlier if screening was lowered to 45, and more so if reduced to 40,” he says.
The cause for this rise is likely to be largely environmental factors and is likely to be involved with alterations in the bacteria living in the gut. A large variety of loosely associated factors have been suggested to contribute to the trend of younger bowel cancer patients, such as changing trends in obesity, sedentary lifestyles and smoking, but the cause has not yet been proven.
“Until the cause of this avalanche can be identified and addressed, we must act to mitigate the consequences. Lowering the screening age is the most effective tool we have to combat this epidemic.
“This simple action would improve equity and outcomes for all New Zealanders.”
For more information, please contact:
Dr Oliver WaddellSurgical Trainee and PhD CandidateUniversity of Otago, ChristchurchEmail wadol012@student.otago.ac.nz
Lea JonesCommunications Adviser, Media EngagementUniversity of OtagoMob +64 21 279 4969Email lea.jones@otago.ac.nz

Source: University of Otago

On Purpose Social Impact Speaker event, 2020, featuring Amal Abdullahi and Guled Mire.
It’s been 10 years since an idea to help Otago students connect with the community saw the birth of the University Volunteer Centre, now known as the Social Impact Studio (the Studio). 
A decade on, the Studio’s impact on our student community has been widespread, and they’ve got love letters to show for it, says Sze-En Watts, Manager Social Impact Studio. 
“We’re matchmakers,” says Watts, “connecting the time, energy and talent of our students with community organisations and causes that matter to them.” 
Watts says most of the initiatives started over the years have come from the community, making the Studio a ‘valuable avenue for community connection’ and turning ideas into social impact initiatives. 
“The University has a huge presence in our community and through the Studio we are helping to build that link and cohesion with our home city.” 
Watts shares the example of the Aspire Programme, which came about from community partners expressing a need to engage young people at risk of disengaging with learning. Aspire, which started in 2014, is a campus-based mentor programme that matches Year 7 and 8 students with university students. 
“And this pattern has continued. We are currently setting up a trial programme with Alzheimer’s Otago, which came about from a serendipitous conversation between one of our student leads and the Alzheimer’s Otago manager.” 
The Studio team were early adopters of the Sustainable Development Goals, using them as a ‘north star’ for the work they do. 
“Students come to us with a wide variety of motivations. The SDGs are a really effective way to connect their passions with globally relevant issues.” 
People participate in a Fluro Friday event, organised periodically by Silverline, where people gather in fluro for sunrise chats, yoga or saltwater dip at the beach to raise awareness about mental health.
A key part of the Studio’s success is the team of Social Impact Leads – student volunteers who are recruited each year.   The Social Impact Leads actively contribute to the running and development of the Studio, says Watts. 
“Students have changed so much over the years and if we truly want to shape our work in a way that is meaningful to them, we have to put students at the centre of it.” 
Social Impact Lead and second year Bachelor of Arts and Science student Ibuki Nishida says the role has been a valuable learning experience. 
He says The Studio’s opportunities give students the chance to break out of the “bubble of uni life and reconnect with the wider Dunedin community”. 
“I think sometimes when you’re attending lectures day in and day out and the assignments come piling in, you forget that there’s a whole world of people outside of the uni environment too.” 
Ibuki Nishida.
Studio Programme Activator Poppy Johns says students like Ibuki are a great example of the impact their work has. 
“It starts as sparking change in the students’ minds helping them think about how they can give back to the community, which then morphs into this amazing student energy that drives the Studio and our initiatives.” 
This energy often carries over when students graduate, Johns says. 
Otago graduate Matthew Moloney, currently a Principal Advisor Strategy and Performance with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), says he is still inspired by the Studio team he worked with over his four years at Otago, calling it “one of the formative experiences of my life so far”. 
“The Studio allowed me to meet a diverse range of people, which opened my mind to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches. 
Working on initiatives like Aspire influenced how I work and engage with people and gave me the opportunity to practice my soft skills.” 
Matthew Moloney on the left.
As his contract with MSD comes to an end soon, Moloney is looking forward to taking his passion for giving back to the frontlines, working for a not-for-profit or social enterprise. 
Watts says this reflects how students’ and graduates’ expectations have evolved over the decade the Studio has been in existence. 
“For students today, there’s almost a default expectation that these experiences are a part of their university journey. There is also a greater expectation of lecturers and employers that their learning encompasses multiple literacies like cultural or sustainability.” 
It is at the crossroads of expectation and reality that the Studio sits, she says, encouraging students to challenge the status quo by getting involved in the community.  
Watts hopes the next decade will see the Studio expand into exploring staff engagement, especially with the introduction of staff social impact leave late last year.  
She also wants to work towards making volunteering activities more equitable, inclusive, and accessible so more students and staff can participate. 
“Creativity, collaboration and connection are key to how we operate and grow. Working together to achieve something different. 
“We’d like to believe that there is no reason why a student or staff member can’t be involved in social impact work. We’re here to help make that happen.” 
Kōrero by Sandra French, Internal Communications Adviser 

Source: University of Otago

ERLO-P creator Cam Young introducing this year’s student researchers.
Three Pacific tauira traded rest for research as they embarked on their biomedical research journeys over the semester break.
Third-year tauira To’oa Brown, Noah Kelly-Foleni and Sam Kaufononga were the first to take part in the Early Research Lab Opportunities for Pasifika Programme (ERLO-P), a collaboration between the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Dunedin School of Medicine. 
The initiative aims to increase the number of Pacific students progressing into postgraduate study and considering research career pathways in biomedical sciences.   
These students were tasked with researching diseases of major significance to Pacific communities, namely infectious diseases, metabolic diseases and cancer. 
The three students refined their laboratory skills and research methods and participated in workshops to help them with report writing and oral presentation skills. 
Postgraduate medical tauira Cam Young, who discovered his own “unexpected passion” for biomedical research while studying towards an anatomy degree, is the mastermind behind this by-Pacific for-Pacific initiative. 
He initially journeyed from Hawke’s Bay to Otago to study medicine, but “developed an appreciation for research and a curiosity for new knowledge,” so he delayed medicine for a year to make way for honours research in neuroendocrinology. 
“My honours year made me realise that, not only are Pacific students capable of conducting lab-based biomedical research, but we bring an extremely valuable perspective and set of skills into this space,” he says. 
“I want more Pacific students to consider pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences and to feel like this is a sector that they can make a real difference in, for themselves and for our wider Pacific community.” 
Cam conceptualised an initiative to “improve students’ skills and confidence in laboratory research methods” while completing his own summer research project under Senior Research Fellow in Pathology Dr Sunali Mehta. 
The pair soon enlisted the support of Senior Research Fellow in Microbiology & Immunology Dr Htin Lin Aung and Senior Lecturer in Anatomy Dr Mike Garratt to run a trial of the programme this year.  
Microbiology tauira To’oa had the opportunity to work in Dr Mike Garratt’s lab and expand upon his work on gestational diabetes mellitus. 
To’oa Brown presents on her gestational diabetes mellitus research in Dr Mike Garratt’s lab.
Though not conclusive, their research findings may be able to help pregnant women deal with metabolic changes associated with pregnancy and potentially decrease their likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.  To’oa says she joined the initiative to get some lab experience under her belt. 
“The timeframe was very attractive, and I think it would’ve been a missed opportunity if I didn’t apply,” she says. 
 She encountered some challenges with her samples, but says the problem-solving process that accompanied unexpected results proved to be one of the most important aspects of her learning.   
“What I love about science in general is that even when our results aren’t what we expect or things aren’t working how they are supposed to, there is always something to learn from it.” 
To’oa now foresees a future career in scientific research, but is keeping her options open as she decides between research in microbiology and anatomy.  
Dr Garratt says it was “an absolute pleasure” working with To’oa. 
“She made a great impression on everyone in our laboratory. She quickly developed new skills and produced some novel results about the possible causes of gestational diabetes that we are keen to keep investigating.” 
Sam conducted research under Dr Aung over the break, and his research sought to identify the pathogenic organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis using whole genome sequencing. 
He says that as he found himself nearing the end of his anatomy degree, he became curious about the postgraduate research opportunities available at Otago and decided to apply for the ERLO-P to experience it first-hand. 
“Before doing this programme the word ‘research’ was daunting. Now I’m excited by the prospect of doing research,” he says. 
“I also wanted to build networks in the research space, which I was able to do. 
“And because of that experience I now have a grasp of what to expect doing research.” 
Sam says he feels privileged to have used state of the art genome sequencing technology and to have received training in advanced laboratory skills typically reserved for postgraduate studies.  
Sam Kaufononga talks about his experience using third generation whole genome sequencing.
“I’ve also learned that public speaking as a researcher is not only inevitable but a vital part of research. It is essential to communicate scientific knowledge to the public.” 
Dr Aung says this initiative “has been a great opportunity to provide a space for Pacific students to thrive in research”. 
“Plans are underway to enable more Pacific students to participate in this programme in the next years.” 
Noah found himself with no plans for the semester break, and thought “doing something productive” would be a good use of his time. 
Noah presents on cancer cell biology research conducted in Dr Sunali Mehta’s lab.
He studied cancer cell biology under Dr Mehta, specifically looking at a gene that helps prevent the formation of cancer cells. 
“I really enjoyed getting to know the people working in the lab and exploring a different field of science to what I’m currently studying,” he says. 
“It was also cool to do experiments by myself and develop some independence within a lab setting. I also enjoyed getting the results at the end and seeing everything click into place and start to make sense.” 
The experience has allowed Noah to seriously consider research as a career path. 
“This experience has definitely confirmed that I would like to do research in the future. It has also made me think deeply about where I want to take my studies. 
  “I am 100 per cent considering taking a biomedical direction compared to a plant biotechnology path that I was planning on taking.” 
  Noah now hopes to learn more about the societal implications of science – such as systemic inequalities in our health system – and how it relates to Pacific peoples and Pacific culture.  
  Dr Mehta says, “Noah is an excellent team player with a positive attitude and a love for learning. 
“I was impressed by his contribution to our research project, where he demonstrated ability to think critically and independently. My laboratory was delighted to host Noah for two weeks.”