Demystifying and explaining the risk and benefits of gene editing, and understanding the lasting psychological effects of the Christchurch terror attack, are among the research topics to be conducted by newly appointed distinguished chairpeople — poutoko taiea at the University of Otago.
Six Otago academics have been appointed for their significant research impacts and contributions to society.
Introduced in 2019, the awards were designed to highlight the work of Otago’s highest-achieving professors, and to raise the profile of its work, enhancing the understanding, development and wellbeing of individuals, society and the environment.
Those receiving the fixed period award this year are psychology Prof Cliff Abraham, history Prof Tony Ballantyne, biomedical sciences Prof Peter Dearden, surveying Prof Christina Hulbe, medicine Prof Suetonia Green and psychological medicine Prof Richard Porter.
Prof Abraham said during his term, he planned to "cement a platform of research capability" that would underpin ongoing research that would have an impact for people with neurodegenerative disease.
He also hoped to build stronger links between neuroscience research groups across the country via the Aotearoa Brain Project, and to expand his connections with the public and NGOs that support people with brain disorders.
Prof Ballantyne said the appointment created opportunities to communicate the importance of history as a discipline, and how it could deepen our understandings of history, especially the colonial histories of these islands.
"I am keen to undertake more work with heritage institutions as they work through how to best interpret and represent the colonial past, with all of its conflict, pain and human complexity."
Prof Dearden said genetics and genomics were making huge impacts on the world, but for this technology to be used effectively and fairly, work must be done to communicate its risks and benefits.
"The same applies to the new technologies of gene editing. I believe the challenge of climate change and the need to grow more food for less, will require engagement with this technology.
"I believe I can help demystify and explain the risk and benefits of gene editing, for the benefit of New Zealand."
Prof Hulbe said throughout her career as a glaciologist, global warming had been a crisis proposition.
"The science improves and the projections become clearer, while the fundamental incompatibility between the economic systems that got us here and the healthy planet we need to keep going forward, remains the same.
"My aim with this role is to use a new teaching assignment as a pathway for thinking differently."
Prof Green aimed to strengthen the impacts of clinical research through her connections with Te Whatu Ora and health consumer organisations, to directly improve how New Zealand delivers safe and equitable care for kidney conditions.
Prof Porter planned to work with a dedicated team of Muslim researchers who came together soon after the March 15 terror attack in Christchurch, to understand and examine the lasting psychological effects of the incident on the impacted communities, and to continue raising public awareness concerning the challenges facing those affected.
The professors will take up their appointments in January 2025.
