Imagining Antarctica Research, Scholarship A fine artist ventures south and Creativity How to be the perfect host Cell cultures and biotechnology October 2004 Calibrating molecular clocks Calculating the speed of evolution Plus: Functional Foods • Volcanos and Risk • Mozart’sMASSEY Contemporaries RESEARCH 1 Foreword hat is it that makes a university a university? Is it the Editor MALCOLM WOOD Wlegal right to bestow degrees? Perhaps, in part, but [email protected] these days other tertiary institutions also confer degrees. The Writers TANE AIKMAN defi ning difference between universities and other education DI BILLING providers is the university’s emphasis on research, research RACHEL DONALD training and research-led teaching. KATHERINE FINLAY This defi nition of the role of universities has particular ADAM GIFFORD importance this year with the release of a Government STEPHANIE GRAY discussion paper on the distinctive contributions of KIM GRIGGS LUCY MARSDEN tertiary organisations. The New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ AMANDA MCAULIFFE Committee also raised the level of debate with a JOSIE MCNAUGHT comprehensive survey of public perceptions of universities. MALCOLM WOOD It came as no great surprise to fi nd that nearly 90 percent Photographers GRAEME BROWN of those surveyed regarded universities as the best place MARK COOTE to study for higher degrees. However, it was signifi cant and gratifying to learn that a DIONNE WARD similar percentage regard university research as important because it explores new areas of Illustration STEFAN MESSAM knowledge and is essential to New Zealand’s global competitiveness. Design GRANT BUNYAN Universities are made up of agglomerations of talented, curious individuals, eternally Thanks to AGRESEARCH driven to explore and to make contributions to their academic domains. It is these TE PAPA TONGAREWA THE DOMINION POST individuals, many of whom you will meet in this publication, who attract research funding THE NEW ZEALAND and are magnets for talented students, who in turn become the research leaders of the future HERALD – the explorers and, in some cases, the discoverers of new areas of knowledge. SIMON COLLINS Massey University’s track record in exploration and discovery, particularly in agriculture ROD EMERSON and the land-based sciences, is a by-word. The University is committed to maintaining RAY PREBBLE a strong research-oriented culture and to nurturing domains of excellence and future BRIAN WARD relevance. You will identify many of these areas of excellence (and emerging areas of excellence) in the pages of this publication. You will also fi nd evidence of the value we For more information about the research in place on research training and on ensuring that our academic staff have the time, support this publication contact: and equipment they need to achieve success. As part of this commitment, the University is home to New Zealand’s fastest research computer, the Double Helix, and to New Zealand’s Research Services most powerful nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. Tel +64 6 356 5120 As a forward-thinking and ambitious university, we are pleased when such investments Fax +64 6 350 5690 pay off. For example, during 2004 we were again one of only three New Zealand Email: [email protected] universities to be listed in the annual Shanghai Jiao Tong rating of the top 500 universities in the world. The University was also pleased to report an increase of 30 percent in external For information about the commercial research income for the year ended 2003, a very important indicator of research quality. application of Massey University research But rather than simply play the numbers game, we could focus on the power of one: contact: Professor David Penny, who was awarded the Rutherford Medal for 2004 by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Professor Penny is known internationally for his studies in Massey University Commercialisation molecular evolution and mathematical biology, including the role of DNA in evolution. Tel +64 6 350 5135 He is a co-director of the Massey-based Centre of Research Excellence, the Allan Wilson Fax +64 6 350 5690 Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution. Perhaps less well known is that he is also a Email: [email protected] superb role model and research trainer. He exemplifi es the Massey University spirit. I invite you to discover more research heroes in the pages of this new publication. For media enquiries contact: Public Affairs Judith Kinnear Tel +64 6 356 5095 Vice-Chancellor Fax +64 6 350 5786 Email: [email protected] www.massey.ac.nz 2 MASSEY RESEARCH Introduction New Zealand’s most powerful NMR spectrometer arrives Celebrating research Massey University has a proud research tradition which dates from its very beginnings as an agricultural college. Mementos from Massey’s early years live on in such things as the Drysdale and Perendale sheep breeds, named after Massey staff Dr Francis Dry and Sir Geoffrey Peren respectively. Today Massey remains a power to be reckoned in both the biotechnology and land-based sciences, but, as you will see in these pages, over the last 76 years Massey has evolved to become much more. It is now a large, modern university with a robust multi- campus, multi-modal structure. It embraces a remarkable range of expertise, and with a track record of problem solving it is uniquely equipped to contribute to New Zealand’s economic, cultural and social development. At the core of the University lie academic excellence, scholarly endeavour and research, both pure and applied. Year on year Massey’s already considerable research outputs – such things as its research income, research degree completions, and the commercial application of its research – have grown impressively. For this Massey can only thank its staff. In turn the University is committed to supporting and celebrating their endeavours. The University publishes research reports, which are distributed to our stakeholders and, for a more general audience, we publish news on our website, in Massey News, and in the alumni and friends magazine MASSEY. This inaugural research magazine brings together some of Massey’s researchers – some relatively new, others long established – and a sampling of their work and achievements. However, it is no more than a selection. There are many other achievements that deserve to be marked and many other individuals who merit celebration. In future publications you will meet more Massey achievers. I hope you enjoy this publication. Whether you have interest in the molecular structure of viruses, in how to keep New Zealand free of foot-and-mouth, or in learning something about 18th century music, you’ll fi nd something here. You will also fi nd a collection of remarkable individuals. Like the University they are part of, they are committed to making a positive difference. Professor Nigel Long Assistant Vice-Chancellor - Research New Zealand’s most powerful NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectrometer is lowered into place in July 2004. The 700 MHz spectrometer allows the structure of molecules such as proteins to be resolved. MASSEY RESEARCH 1 Contents 3 CHRONICLE Research news from around the university. 9 FINDINGS The future of work; risk and the tired truckdriver; tracking dolphins. 15 THE WATCHLIST Young researchers making their mark. 18 MASSEY MEDALISTS 2004 20 HODGSON’S THOUGHTS MASSEY RESEARCH asks Peter Hodgson, New Zealand’s Minister of Research, Science and Technology, to share his thoughts on New Zealand’s research environment. 23 PROFESSOR DAVID PENNY TAKES HIGHEST SCIENCE AWARD The Royal Society of New Zealand bestows the Rutherford Medal on Professor David Penny. 24 PLEASE RESET YOUR WATCHES Dr Leigh Signal offers an informed traveller’s guide to jet lag. 26 BREATHLESS Dr Jeroen Douwes of the Centre for Public Health Research is researching the causes of asthma. 28 COLD WARS The viral culprits responsible for polio, hepatitis A, foot-and-mouth disease and many strains of the common cold are all picornaviruses. Steve Pascal is examining the structure of a molecular complex key to how these viruses replicate. This could lead to ways of stopping viruses in their tracks. Much of the work will be performed on Massey’s new 700 MHz NMR spectrometer. 33 HOW TO BE THE PERFECT HOST Professor Yusuf Chisti is a world expert in the production and processing of biotechnology products. 37 INDUSTRY LINKS VITAL Brian Ward, the Chief Executive of NZBio, writes. 38 IT WILL TASTE DELICIOUS AND IT WILL BE GOOD FOR YOU Professor Paul Moughan is an apostle for the coming functional food revolution. 42 MOLECULES MADE TO ORDER Organic superglues, disease treatments and better food flavourings: these are some of the projects to which Associate Professor Carol Taylor turns her skills. 44 BATTLING INFECTION Professor Roger Morris and the EpiCentre found fame helping Britain battle foot-and-mouth. But this is just one of the array of diseases they are up against. 48 CALIBRATING EVOLUTION’S CLOCK Professor David Lambert is changing our thinking about the speed of evolution. 51 MATHS AND MEASLES Associate Professor Mick Roberts has developed powerful mathematical models to predict how infections spread. 52 UNDER THE VOLCANOES Dr Shane Cronin gets up close and personal with his subject: active volcanoes. 54 EATING, DRINKING AND THINKING Associate Professor Kerry Chamberlain discourses on health psychology. - 56 TE AO MAORI Professor Mason Durie has been a guiding light in M-aori development. 57 SOUNDING THINGS OUT Professor James Chapman is an expert in literacy. 58 SURVEYS IN THE DOCK Not all surveys are to be trusted. Janet Hoek can tell you which ones can. 59 AN ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERT Professor Anne de Bruin is an expert on the state of entrepreneurship in New Zealand. 60 MAKING HIS MARQUE Professor Tony Parker is close to realising a childhood ambition: a New Zealand-designed and -manufactured supercar.