Biological Heritage

Hailing from Plant and Food Research, Beccy brings to the team a long history of working in the myrtle rust and kauri dieback research space, making her an excellent candidate for the NRT Science Leader role.   

An observation of bees harvesting myrtle rust spores in Auckland has recently been reported – a behaviour which is concerning to scientists.

Researchers are investigating how well tests for myrtle rust susceptibility done under controlled conditions can predict the impacts of myrtle rust in the field.

The Challenge supported a panel discussion on the role of gene editing for pest control in Aotearoa New Zealand, as a part of the New Zealand International Science Festival, in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

A Biological Heritage PhD student was among those supported by Better Border Biosecurity (B3) to meet other emerging talents and share their work at a recent plant conference.

Updates from B3, the latest reports on Myrtle Rust, and details on our Gene Editing Discussion Panel.

The Unlocking Curious Minds (UCM) fund will be opening in mid-July, to encourage and enable better engagement with science and technology across all of New Zealand.

Beyond Myrtle Rust provide updates on the latest observations of the fungal disease affecting the country’s Myrtaceae plant species thanks to keen New Zealanders out and about recording sightings of disease symptoms.

The Challenge is excited to be hosting a panel discussion on the role of gene editing for pest control in Aotearoa New Zealand, as a part of the New Zealand International Science Festival, in Ōtepoti Dunedin on Thursday 15 July.