Oxygen Group
The Oxygen Group is a forum of bright younger scientists who are among the emerging leaders in New Zealand’s science sector. We set up the group in 2005 to help us hear the voices and to tap into the experience of younger scientists.
As the name suggests, we invite them to provide a breath of fresh air and fuel the fire of New Zealand science.
Latest news
Oxygen Group Mentor - World Class New Zealanders 2009
Professor Peter Hunter was among one of the outstanding kiwis to receive World Class New Zealander awards at a gala dinner in Auckland.
Professor Peter Hunter is director of the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, a large scale research institute at The University of Auckland.
Seven awards were presented by Kea New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to the country’s greatest "tall poppies", for giving their time, knowledge and skills to help New Zealand companies and industries succeed internationally.
Professor Hunter won the "Research, Science, Technology and Academia" category. Professor Hunter is best-known for his pioneering mathematical modelling of the human heart. He also heads the Institute’s flagship Human Physiome Project, an international network of researchers developing mathematical models of all aspects of human physiology. He is a fellow of London’s prestigious Royal Society.
Role of the group
- Inspire their peers and younger scientists to become leaders both in and beyond the science sector, and to involve themselves in mapping the future of science in this country;
- Explore and improve the links between science disciplines;
- Track current trends in science and technology both here and internationally, consider any implications for this country, and advise the Ministry on them;
- Stimulate debate and new ideas about how we do science in New Zealand.
More information on the goals and processes of the group: Terms of Reference | Statement of Principles
The members of the group come from a wide range of science disciplines including the biosciences, social science, the information technology (IT) sector, chemical and physical sciences, geosciences and Mātauranga Māori or Māori knowledge.
Previous members (2005-2008)
Mentors
The group is mentored by two prominent figures in New Zealand science: Dr Di McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Royal Society and Professor Peter Hunter of Auckland University.
Previous mentors were Professor Paul Callaghan of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Professor Jim Watson of Genesis Research and Neville Jordan, President of the Royal Society.
History
The original Oxygen Group was appointed for a three year term in early 2005 with ten members drawn from across a range of science disciplines. These ten took on the challenge to form with guidance from two mentors, Dr Jim Watson and Professor Paul Callaghan, in a relatively experimental exercise for the MoRST.
More information
For further information contact Cath Robinson on +64 4 917 3064.
Also see: Terms of Reference | Statement of Principles