Rutherford Foundation Trust 2014 Awards

  • Steven Joyce
Science and Innovation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the recipients of the 2014 Rutherford Foundation Trust Awards.

The Trust aims to develop the skills of New Zealand’s brightest and most promising young researchers by providing them with early career support.

“These prestigious awards have this year been granted to seven researchers of the highest quality – four postdoctoral fellowships and three PhD scholarship students,” says Mr Joyce.

“The awards will allow these researchers the opportunity to further develop their capability in science and technology, while ensuring the future of quality science in New Zealand.”

Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered for two years’ research in New Zealand.   The  2014 recipients are:

  • Dr Sachi Kodippily, University of Auckland, for research entitled: “Improving the Life of Our Roads – Reducing Moisture Damage of NZ’s Road Pavements”;
  • Dr Matthew Sagar, Victoria University of Wellington, for research entitled: “Alpine Fault ‘Big Bend’: Evolution and Earthquake Hazard”;
  • Dr Charlotte King, University of Otago, for research entitled: “Major Transitions in Prehistory: Using a New Life Histories Approach to Trace Health and Diet in Northern Chile”; and
  • Dr Karen Reader, University of Otago, for research entitled: “How does Activin C Modulate Granulosa Cell Tumours? Implications for Human Disease”.

The PhD Scholarships offer full scholarships for top students to attend the University of Cambridge. Successful applicants are expected to have an excellent undergraduate academic record and the potential to excel in a research environment. The 2014 recipients are:

  • Mark Burrell, for research entitled: “Neuroeconomics: Behavioural Neurophysiology of Reward, Risk and Decision-Making”;
  • Elisabeth Liddle, for research entitled: “Determination of Recharge and the Seasonal Variations in Groundwater Availability for Ndola, Zambia”; and
  • Max Wilkinson, for research entitled: “The Structure and Function of Macromolecular Machines”.

The Rutherford Foundation Trust was established by the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2008. It is supported by $1 million from the Government each year along with contributions from the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust and private donations.

For more information on the recipients, see: http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/programmes/funds/rutherford-foundation/news/