University of Otago (Christchurch) department of surgery researcher Dr Rachel Purcell has been awarded a Royal Society of New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship worth $1.16 million over the next four years, to study the microbiome and its links to colorectal cancer (CRC).
"These micro-organisms play crucial roles in maintaining health by supporting immunity, energy metabolism, and overall physiological balance.
"However, disruptions in the microbiome have been linked to numerous diseases, including cancer.
"CRC is a major health concern in New Zealand, with more than 3000 new cases annually, a worrying increase among younger people, and worse outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples."
She said studies to date, had not yet significantly improved diagnostics or treatments, so her research programme aimed to move beyond traditional approaches by investigating how the microbiome interacts with its human host — particularly in CRC.
Research has suggested the microbiome may influence CRC development and progression.
Using samples from New Zealand cohorts, Dr Purcell has developed innovative computational tools that integrate gene expression, microbiome data, and patient information.
She said this approach has uncovered new connections between the microbiome and tumour cells.
"Ultimately, I hope to contribute new therapies and predictive tools that will lead to better health outcomes, particularly for Māori, and reduce the burden of colorectal cancer in New Zealand."
Dr Purcell is one of three University of Otago researchers, and one of 10 researchers from around the country, to receive the inaugural fellowship.
The fellowships are designed to help mid-career researchers establish themselves as experts in their research domain and as leaders within the research landscape.
Dr McCulloch’s research programme will investigate at how animals respond to environmental change.
"This research will reveal how deforestation has impacted our native biodiversity, and also test whether reforestation can reverse this biodiversity loss.
"This knowledge will enable us to predict how our endemic fauna will respond to future environmental shifts and will be fundamental in reshaping our conservation management policies."
Dr Rātima said his Māori research programme consisted of four potential projects, all grounded in present work.
The programme extends the work into the realms of personal and collective moemoeā [dreams] for culturally safe authentic Tiriti-based education for all New Zealanders.
"Ultimately, the programme seeks to further our understanding of what it will take to place mātauranga Māori at the core of our daily work in teacher education, educational research and in schools and centres across the motu.
