Twenty-three new Fellows have been elected to the Academy of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Fellowship recognises researchers, scholars, and innovators throughout New Zealand who have achieved excellence in their various disciplines across science, technology, and the humanities.
Being made a Fellow is an honour that recognises distinction in research, scholarship, or the advancement of knowledge at the highest international standards. Fellows can use the post-nominal ‘FRSNZ’ after their name to indicate this honour.
Distinguished Professor Geoff Chase FRSNZ, Chair of the Academy Executive Committee, said the latest Fellows demonstrate the strength of New Zealand’s research communities.
The new Fellows include:
- Distinguished Professor Leo Condron, Lincoln University
Elected for significantly advancing understanding of the importance of biological processes in determining the bioavailability and utilisation of phosphorus in soil-plant systems.
Distinguished Professor Leo Condron is a world-leading soil scientist. He mainly studies the nature and impacts of interactions between living organisms and the chemical and physical components of soil. He is known for his extensive work on assessing and quantifying the effects of changes in land use and management on the nature and dynamics of soil phosphorus and organic matter. To this end he has studied and established a number of long-term field experiments, as well as conducting research on changes in nutrient dynamics and bioavailability in natural forest ecosystems. This research has demonstrated that the activities of organisms in soil play a significant role in determining phosphorus bioavailability, and optimising soil biological processes is an effective way of improving phosphorus utilisation and plant uptake.
- Dr David Chapman, Dairy NZ
Elected for as a leader in pasture ecology/agronomy and sustainable agriculture.
Dr David Chapman is internationally recognised as a leader in pasture ecology and sustainable agriculture. His work on biophysical modelling and farm systems management generated new knowledge that has improved both economic and environmental outcomes of pasture-based farms. David’s research has identified key factors responsible for poor survival of grass and clover populations in our grazed pastures – an issue that will be exacerbated as the climate changes. His work has paved the way for clover cultivars with improved persistence and led to evidence-based decision support systems that help farmers select the most appropriate pasture genetics for their farms.
- Professor Renwick Dobson, University of Canterbury
Elected for his advances in molecular interactions critical to biological function.
Professor Renwick Dobson is a biochemist with expertise in structural biology and biophysics. He has unravelled the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation and enzyme function within cells, produced innovative functional foods and developed novel diagnostic assay platforms. His work has potential applications for agriculture, nutrition and health. He has significantly advanced our understanding of how cells transport molecules across membranes, working on a group of transporter proteins called Tripartite ATP-independent Periplasmic (TRAP) transporters, which are potential targets for new antimicrobial drugs. Renwick is recognised internationally as an expert in analytical ultracentrifugation, establishing the country’s only facility for this method.
Source: Royal Society of New Zealand
