Take 10 with... Lisa Pilkington

1.  Describe your research topic to us in 10 words or less.

Developing and applying analytical and chemometric techniques to chemistry problems.

2.  Now explain it in everyday terms!

My main research area is to generate and analyse chemical data to better understand the world around us - I am a chemical data scientist, or chemometrician.

I develop and use methods to obtain data on a range of different chemical phenomena and then I analyse this data using statistical methods with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the chemistry and system I am studying. I apply these principles to a range of different areas, spanning agricultural, biological and medicinal applications.

3.  Describe some of your day-to-day research activities.

My day to day research activities are very varied because of the wide range of projects and areas that I work in. Typically, you will find me in front of my computer for large portions of the day, using R (an incredible statistical software that was developed here at the University of Auckland but is now used globally) to analyse and interpret my data. This involves trying a wide range of statistical techniques to discover and model underlying patterns, trends, relationships, differences and similarities that are in my data.

I do get into the lab as well, though, which is how I obtain a lot of my data. In the lab I measure and analyse samples using a range of different measurement techniques, as well as generating standards and optimising analytical methods to get the best data and information I can. 

4.  What do you enjoy most about your research?

I love that by doing my research I am making discoveries and learning things that have never been found before, and that through these discoveries, we can more greatly understand the world around us.

I am also so motivated and excited by the potential future impact my findings could have, whether it be the development of a new sensor for diagnostic purposes, uncovering the secrets of NZ Mānuka honey or advancing and enhancing drug development practices - the possibilities are endless and exhilarating.

5.  Tell us something that has surprised you in the course of your research.

Something that has surprised (and delighted) me is that inspiration and ideas can strike even when you are not expecting it!

The most recent example I have of this is when I was catching up for a casual drink with a colleague, Dr Rebecca Deed (SCS/SBS) earlier this year and we were chatting about our respective research. I was sharing with her a few tales of one of my current research projects on Mānuka honey and she was discussing her work on wine fermentation.

It all happened very quickly, but a few lightbulbs went off for each of us and within five minutes we had come up with a very exciting new project we are now working on, looking at the chemistry of NZ Mānuka honey mead (a fermented honey product). Shortly after coming up with the idea, we submitted it as an idea for the SCS PBRF Project round and we have been fortunate enough to be supported by this. We are making great progress in looking into this very new area. 

6.  How have you approached any challenges you’ve faced in your research?

Like all researchers, I have definitely discovered that challenges are an unavoidable aspect of research! I try to tackle all challenges very logically and systematically and with the belief that there is a solution to every obstacle – its just a matter of finding it. 

One of the most critical aspects (and challenges) of my research is having trustworthy, reliable and representative data – if the data you are working with does not have those qualities, it could dramatically compromise the analysis and resulting conclusions that can be made from it. 

7.  What questions have emerged as a result?

I have learned that I need to be very sure of the provenance of the data that I work with. That is, if the data is given to me and I did not obtain it myself, that I have a very clear understanding of how it was generated (and where I can, that I have had input into how it has been generated).

Alternatively, if I am generating the data myself, that I am doing so in a fair and representative way, taking into account any external factors and mitigating potential risks that would compromise data validity.

8.  What kind of impact do you hope your research will have?

I see incredible potential impact that my research has, which is truly exhilarating and very motivating. I work in a range of areas, as I mentioned above, and the possibilities for impact on the basis of these research projects is expansive. I see potential impact of my work not solely in the research sphere, but also in a real-world setting.

A few examples of this, based on projects that I am currently working on, include the potential to discover new drug development strategies that would allow clinical therapeutic candidates to be identified faster, saving both time and money (and maybe one day, lives). Another example is that I am working on analysing the chemical signature of NZ Mānuka honey. I aim to discover if the concept of terroir can be established and applied for this extremely important NZ product, which could minimise fraudulent honeys and maximise uniqueness to the benefit of NZ Mānuka honey producers.

9.  If you collaborate across the faculty or University, or even outside the University, who do you work with and how does it benefit your research?

I collaborate with a range of talented researchers, both in the Faculty and University, as well as elsewhere in NZ and overseas. Many of my research projects are interdisciplinary and the expertise and collaboration of my fellow researchers are key to the success of these endeavours.

Recently, I have had significant collaborations with Dr Rebecca Deed (SCS/SBS), Professor David Barker (SCS) and Associate Professor Bruno Fedrizzi (SCS) within the Faculty of Science. I have also worked very closely with Dr Euphemia Leung (ACSRC) and A/Prof Naresh Singhal (Faculty of Engineering).

My active overseas collaborations include Professor Kathryn Whitehead (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK), Dr Pietro Franceschi (Fondazione Edmund Mach, Italy), Professor Garrett Morris (University of Oxford, UK), Dr Nina Dempsey-Hibbert (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK), and Dr Johannes Reynisson (University of Keele, UK).

I am also in the process of beginning new collaborations with others in the Faculty of Science which I am very excited about – watch this space! 

10.   What one piece of advice would you give your younger, less experienced research self?

I would tell myself to not take failure personally – it is called 'research' for a reason and sometimes things do not work. The key thing in research (and in life) is to keep going, be resilient, persistent, strong and motivated. Perseverance and hard work truly does pay off in the end.