Kia ora koutou,

It has been another wonderful couple of months for the ABI - we've secured funding for exciting new projects, won more awards, and had some fun media coverage.

Almost $3m in funding will support some bold new research projects - including understanding social connections in VR so people can collaborate better even in a virtual world, and developing computational models of the lymphatic system to help improve treatment of lung disease.

We have a number of other exciting projects ready to start, with full funding, so you or someone you know could join our team and get sponsored to do life-changing research. You can view our available projects here or keep reading to find out more.

At the ABI we are focused on supporting our emerging talent and improving the New Zealand economy, so it was great to see Ju Zhang get recognition for turning his research into a successful startup company - Formus Labs.

This is our last newsletter for the year - I hope you enjoy reading it and I hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday period.

Ngā mihi,
Director Merryn Tawhai

Fitness trends through the years

ABI Professor Patria Hume and Melissa Cuthbertson-Moon were on Seven Sharp recently, taking Ben Hurley through exercise trends of the past few decades, including Tae Bo, Spin Cycling and Jazzercise! Their segment starts at 18 min into the episode.

They were so good they were asked to film a follow-up segment - you can watch that second one here!

ABI awarded $2.8m from Marsden Fund

Three Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) projects in widely different fields have received almost $3 million in the latest round of funding from Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden, the Marsden Fund.

Well done to Professor Mark Billinghurst, Associate Professor Kelly Burrowes, and Dr Hayley Reynolds. Kelly was also recently awarded a prestigious James Cook Fellowship from the Royal Society and was on NewstalkZB talking about NZ's high rate of vaping.

ABI startup founder recognised

Congratulations to Dr Ju Zhang, co-founder and chief executive of ABI startup Formus Labs, for being named in this year's 40 Under 40 - a list of University of Auckland alumni who shine in both their professional and personal lives. 

Another ABI startup, Neurofanos, has also been making a splash recently - they are making brain surgery smarter with Artificial Intelligence. Read about them here.

Creating our digital twin

Outgoing ABI Director, Professor Peter Hunter, has a goal to transform healthcare as we know it. 

Part of his vision is to create a digital twin of each patient, by bringing physics and mathematics to physiology.

Cerebral palsy and muscle development

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability for children in Aotearoa. Dr Geoffrey Handsfield is researching how muscle development is impeded in children with cerebral palsy and how we might help them.

He chatted with RadioNZ about his research - have a listen.

We have funded projects waiting for you

Interested in PhD or Master's study, or know someone who might be? Get sponsored to do life-changing research - we have a range of fully-funded projects waiting for you.

We also have scholarships available for our students throughout different levels of study. Have a look at our projects and get in touch.

Help us make a difference

The ABI is completely self-funded, so we rely on our generous donors to fund students and our world-class research. There are many ways you can make a difference and support our work - you can make a donation or bequest, or simply follow us on social media. 

If you would like to become an ABI supporter, make a donation or bequest today.