PhD student Rene Zschoche is studying "phage cocktails," a mix of phages used to control bacteria that could offer potential alternatives to antibiotics for biocontrol. Little is known about how distantly-related phages interact with each other however, a problem Rene aims to solve: zurl.co/X87up
In our second Rangahau Rising webinar, Dr Elizabeth Elliot Noe (Lincoln University) joins us to talk about her Postdoctoral research on the value frameworks that influence debate on the future of Aotearoa NZ's dairy industry:
🗓️ Wednesday 15 April, 1:00 PM
📍 Online, Register via Zoom: zurl.co/BXflk
Canopy cover and habitat size - important factors for decreasing weed invasion in kānuka shrublands.
In the final stages of her PhD, Friederike Espinoza (Lincoln University) is the lead author of a new paper with considerations for anyone involved in native shrubland restoration: zurl.co/lfNr6
In our second Rangahau Rising webinar, Dr Elizabeth Elliot Noe (Lincoln University) joins us to talk about her Postdoctoral research on the value frameworks that influence debate on the future of Aotearoa NZ's dairy industry:
🗓️ Wednesday 15 April, 1:00 PM
📍 Online, Register via Zoom: zurl.co/BXflk
Bacteriophages, methylation, tailocins...tune in hear Dr Nils Birkholz (University of Otago) share his research and novel discoveries in bacterial warfare on the recording of our first 2026 Rangahau Rising Webinar: zurl.co/JSGpo
A Summer of Discovery – Research Presentations from Our Summer Scholars of 2026! Hosted by Dr Sylvia Nissen from Lincoln University. Everyone is welcome.
📅 Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM NZDT
📍 Where: Online, Register via Zoom zurl.co/gKBEm
Join us for the first Rangahau Rising of 2026 with Dr Nils Birkholz (University of Otago). Nils will talk about his research on the plant pathogen Pectobacterium, highlighting new solutions for targeting problematic bacterial pathogens.
📍 Online, Register via Zoom: zurl.co/FLQvS
Join us for the first Rangahau Rising of 2026 with Dr Nils Birkholz (University of Otago). Nils will talk about his research on the plant pathogen Pectobacterium, highlighting new solutions for targeting problematic bacterial pathogens.
📍 Online, Register via Zoom: zurl.co/FLQvS
The future of agriculture is not just about yield. It is also about resilience.
PhD student Sam Mills (Lincoln University) is investigating what helps carbon remain stored in soils. This is the start of her PhD story on climate resilient agroecosystems: bioprotection.org.nz/research/imp...
Tiny (bio)discoveries can have BIG impacts.
Enter Ashleigh Mosen, a PhD student at Massey University, researching solutions to apple scab fungus - solutions at the molecular level derived from host-pathogen protein interactions. bioprotection.org.nz/love-for-the...
@salenes-a.bsky.social
In earlier times, who decided what counted as a pest?
Dr Schloffel-Armstrong (Lincoln University) is digging into archival narratives from 1825 to 1925 on Horomaka Banks Peninsula to find out, and explore what those early decisions mean for bioprotection today: bioprotection.org.nz/tracing-narr...
Our February pānui is here! This newsletter, we spotlight forward-thinking bioprotection solutions. Read the full newsletter: mailchi.mp/lincoln.ac.n...
To what extent is communication integrated into Aotearoa New Zealand’s biosecurity system?
Professor Amanda Black @whenua.bsky.social reflects on the biosecurity response to the yellow-legged hornet incursion: bioprotection.org.nz/the-arrival-...
For Pacific researchers, the future of climate resilience is Pacific-led.
Dr Suli Vunibola, Mesu Tora, and Patrick Fong react to COP30 in Belém, imagining a different future where "Pacific people, communities and ecological relationality sit at the heart of climate resilience."
zurl.co/uZZ6L
Healthy soil is at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting communities, agriculture, and economy. Read more about Alana's research: bioprotection.org.nz/researc...
Join Alana Thurston next week for a PhD seminar on soil health and resilience to degradation in the agricultural landscape of Te Kaha.
📍 9 February, 12:00-1:00PM
📍 Waimarie, Room Inaka
📍 Lincoln University or online: zurl.co/ke9ZS
Boring or bonding?
For Dr Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu, conferences are more than just talks. They're opportunities to connect, with both people and place, that shape both science and the scientist.
See her advice on making the most of conference season: zurl.co/ANsRX
Big research journeys start earlier than people realise...
Secondary students Toby, Taisia, Mannat, and Owen graduated from the Te Māhuri Scholarship late last year after an eight day immersion in Mātauranga Māori and bioprotection science.
Read about their experience: zurl.co/1Ocdt
Helping farmers boost efficiency, meet Masters student Tim Logan 👋
Tim is creating a model to predict how crop placement drives abundance of crop pests and pest enemies for sustainable pest management.
Read about Tim's work in Professor Tylianakis's lab: zurl.co/uJJo4
Tere Porter-Rawiri recently completed her Masters with Bioprotection Aotearoa investigating fungal diversity and the relationships Māori have with fungi. Her research offers insight into restoration practices that better align with te ao Māori. Read her reflection on her Masters accomplishments.
I have argued from time to time that our country's understanding of biosecurity and ecological context shapes the way we can discuss issues as a country- what things make sense to talk about because there is a common understanding.
Fig. 1 Lotka–Volterra models of two noninteracting plant populations (native and invasive), with the invasive species arriving at time point 800 (grey vertical dashed lines).
✨ Paper spotlight ✨
(🧵 1/6) When the novelty wears off: enemy escape does not explain invasion success
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Pearl Ruston recently completed her Masters with BA and has joined the Horizons Regional Council as a Wetland Ecologist. Pearl investigated nitrogen pools and fluxes in wetlands, research that will help in wetland restoration.
Read her reflection on her Masters: zurl.co/fpbm2
Soft launching our new podcast series - Under the Lens 🎙️
This is our pilot series… warming up the mics, dusting off the pipettes and pulling together the crew for something new.
Its part science, part 80’s nostalgia and all about what keeps our ecosystems thriving.
Awesome weedy discussion with my phenomenal award winning hoamahi Margaret (with the fab Peter, Amanda and Nick) - our natives need more PR, and let's all be on the lookout for newbies!
This was a fun chat with the Bioprotection Aotearoa team about everything weeds! What's the issue & what can we do about it? So many weeds & so little money! @bioprotection.bsky.social 🌏🧪🌐🌿#invasive #weeds
We made a podcast for @bioprotection.bsky.social Have a look if you are interested in all things that start with b, Nick singing 80's songs or, perhaps more importantly, why and how to save the planet. bioprotection.org.nz/under-the-le...
🌱 What does SOCIAL SCIENCE in BIOPROTECTION look like in Aotearoa?
Our new research team is exploring the social-political dimensions of how we protect ecosystems, communities, and the futures we care about.
👥 Meet the team, discover our vision, and see where we’re headed next 👋🏽
Ned the snail got a dating campaign 🐌💔 … but he’s not even from Aotearoa.
Meanwhile our endangered taonga the Powelliphanta augusta snail are in containers fighting for survival.
From fridge to freedom — a story on how we value biodiversity, by @whenua.bsky.social + @peterkdearden.bsky.social