Miss Paull said the small but mighty machine, made by ThermoFisher Scientific, helped researchers unlock and amplify DNA and RNA.
"It’s better, newer, shinier, quicker, more efficient and more accurate."
The duo entered the competition by writing a statement about why their colleague deserved to win the new piece of equipment.
It seems Miss Paull’s piece about why Miss Dissanayake was so deserving won the ThermoFisher Scientific judges over.
"I explained Sijini’s research and how the new machine would help her research and how it would help her get better, more accurate research results.
"They seemed to like it.
"I had a bit of a vested interest because I get to use the machine for my research, too."
Miss Dissanayake said they were excited by the win.
"It feels a bit like Christmas has come early for us.
"We were so happy and excited that we were able to win something for the department, and that it’s going to be useful for everyone here."
Botany department acting head Assoc Prof Paul Guy was delighted with the addition to the department’s scientific equipment.
"They’ve got the department’s undying gratitude — and a possible morning tea shout.
"They’ve earned it.
"The machine will be so useful to Jess for her research on bryophytes, and Sijini with plankton — all sorts of things.
"It has very wide applications," he said.
ThermoFisher Scientific New Zealand manager Steve Dodd visited the department yesterday to present the new machine to the young scientists.
"The competition was New Zealand and Australia-wide, and you would tend to think that Australia might have the upper hand with winning it.
"So it’s really great to see our farthest customer, the University of Otago, winning it and it’s well deserved."
Miss Dissanayake and Miss Paull said the win had inspired them, and they would be working even harder on their research to make the most of the new piece of equipment.
