Speaker: Eric McKenzie, Myclogist, LandCare Research

Date: Thursday, 16 November 2023 at 6.00pm

Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

Admission: Gold coin donation

Join us on a captivating journey through five and a half decades of studying microfungi, where adventure meets discovery. Explore the intriguing world of microfungi, which can impact both animals and plants. We’ll unravel questions like the consequences of fungicides on fungal ‘flora’ in sheep pastures, the dual influence of endophytic fungi in ryegrass on sheep and plants, the mysteries of chalkbrood disease in Samoan bees compared to those in New Zealand, and the personal repercussions of encountering rust fungus-infected plants. Discover how New Zealand’s fungi were meticulously examined following visits to remote islands, and why a book titled “Collect Fungi on Stamps” earned its place among the ‘Top 10 Weirdest Book Titles.’ Delve into the purpose behind collecting, identifying, and compiling plant disease lists for Pacific countries through extensive visits across the region. And finally, gain insights into consultancies and student supervision in South East Asia, which led to expeditions in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. This presentation offers a glimpse into a truly adventurous and fulfilling career in mycology.

Eric, a distinguished mycologist, spent over four decades as the curator of the NZ Fungal and Plant Disease Fungarium, which houses a unique collection of fungi in the Southern Hemisphere. He holds a BSc (Hons) from Massey University and a PhD from Cambridge University. Throughout his career, Eric conducted extensive research on microfungi in pastures and contributed significantly to New Zealand fungal systematics. He played a pivotal role in plant disease surveys across the Pacific Islands and provided consultancy services in South East Asia. Eric is a Highly Cited Researcher and continues to work on Rust Fungi of New Zealand even in retirement.

Professor Chris Bumby, Principal Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute

Dr Nathaniel Davis, an Associate Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute

Tahlia Crabtree, Outreach Coordinator at Robinson Research Institute

Date: Monday 7 August 2023 at 6.00pm

Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

The MacDiarmid Institute is a network of leading researchers from around the country united in a common goal: to create and explore innovative, sustainable materials that will improve the lives of people in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the word. This talk will present an optimistic take on the sustainability crisis facing the world today. Come and hear about what technology is being developed and utilised right now, in Aotearoa New Zealand, to address sustainability challenges.

Chris Bumby is a Principal Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute, and a Principal Scientist at the Robinson Research Institute of Victoria University of Wellington, where he works on a range of commercial and industry-facing applied research projects, spanning a diverse range of materials engineering topics, including hydrogen steelmaking, ceramic semiconductors and superconducting machines.

Nathaniel (Nate) Davis is an Associate Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute, a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, and a Rutherford Discovery Fellow. Nate’s background is in chemistry and physics within the field of optoelectronics, specifically the creation of materials allowing light and electronic energy to be interchanged.

Tahlia Crabtree is a dedicated Outreach Coordinator at Robinson Research Institute, where she passionately organizes and facilitates engaging activities and events to inspire and educate students about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). With her background as a qualified meteorologist, Tahlia previously served as a weather forecaster, bringing her expertise and keen focus on effectively communicating weather information to the public. Her commitment to promoting STEM education and her experience in meteorology make her a valuable asset in encouraging the next generation of young minds to explore the wonders of science and technology.