Join us for a dynamic lineup of speakers and hear about the cutting edge science driving a step-change in New Zealand's economic prospects. With a renewed focus on commercial applications of scientific discovery, we are growing connectivity between scientists, entrepreneurs, investor and industry. Come and meet the scientists and companies developing the future New Zealand economy.

Anyone with an interest in technology, advanced materials, research and development and sustainability is welcome. We aim to bring industry together with entrepreneurs, inventors, researchers, and investors.

We will also be hosting a mini expo that showcases approximately 6 companies operating in deep tech, advanced manufacturing or Cleantech. The showcase aims to expose companies to researchers and potential STEM employees of the future.

The collaborators co-hosting the event are:

The MacDiarmid Institute
Te Whai Ao — Dodd-Walls Centre
New Zealand Product Accelerator
Startup Dunedin
MacDiarmid Emerging Scientists Association
Otago Innovation 
Return on Science Momentum Committees

Schedule:

17h30	Guest arrival and networking	Drinks and canapes while Cleantech companies show their innovations on tabletop displays
18h00	Mihi and welcome
18h10	Christina McGraw University of Otago and ORLIA	New tools to increase yields in biomanufacturing
18h15	Anna Garden University of Otago and the MacDiarmid Institute	The role of higher education in commercial pathways
18h20	Tony Lough Pacific Edge	Cxbladder, clinical trials and guideline inclusion
18h25	Sam Lowrey University of Otago	From Microfluidics to Engineering Thermodynamics – Advancing Energy Technology with Micro and Nanotechnology
18h30	David Hutchinson University of Otago and the Dodd-Walls Centre	Fundamental science drives innovation
18h35	Networking and mini expo	Drinks and canapes while Cleantech companies show their innovations on tabletop displays
19h30	Event closes

Speakers:

Christina McGraw, University of Otago and ORLIA

Christina McGraw is an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Otago and CEO of Orlia. With broad interests in instrument design, her current focus is on real-time process control in bioreactors. She works with a team of scientists and engineers to develop systems to optimise bioreactor and fermenter conditions to improve production efficiency.

Anna Garden, University of Otago and the MacDiarmid Institute

Anna Garden is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Otago and Deputy Director Outreach and Education in the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. She leads the Computational Nanocatalysis research group, where her team uses computational methods to research catalysts for sustainable industry and environmental remediation.

Tony Lough, VP Clinical Science, Pacific Edge
Tony leads the Clinical Science team at Pacific Edge, overseeing the design and execution of clinical trials supporting the development of Cxbladder. These studies generate evidence for publication, guideline inclusion, and market adoption of Cxbladder in the evaluation of hematuria and surveillance for recurrence of urothelial carcinoma. Tony brings a strong background in research infrastructure and translational science, including leadership roles in national genomics strategy and biotechnology R&D.

Sam Lowrey, Co-Founder Heat and Light , University of Otago

Sam Lowrey is a senior lecturer in sustainable energy technology at the University of Otago and a co-founder of Heat and Light. He leads the Energy Technology research group which focuses on developing micro/nanopatterned surfaces to enhance energy efficiency in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration technologies.

David Hutchinson, University of Otago and the Dodd-Walls Centre

David is a theoretical quantum physicist from the University of Otago. His main research interests revolve around the quantum physics of ultracold atomic systems. In 2015 he established the Dodd-Walls Centre for Quantum and Photonic Technologies as a national Centre of Research, involving six New Zealand universities, plus other government agencies, with a total of over 200 staff and students. He led the Centre as its inaugural Director until the end of March 2023, when he stepped down. For three years until the end of September 2024, he was Departmental Science Advisor with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. He is a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Working Group on Women in Physics and of IUPAP’s Commission on Physics for Development. He is also Chair of the Board of Tūhura Otago Museum and is currently the Acting Science Leader for Quantum Technologies Aotearoa – an MBIE funded research platform in quantum tech.

Exhibitors: