Ngā Motu Whakahī

Project

Oncolytic viruses are an emerging class of therapeutics for cancer treatment. These viruses selectively infect and lyse cancerous cells. However, these therapies still suffer from certain limitations, perhaps the greatest of clearance of the virus prior to complete tumour destruction due to the patient’s immune system. To elicit maximal efficacy, these viruses can be used in combination with chemotherapeutics or radiotherapy.

The presence of viral infection provides new opportunities to develop selectively targeted chemotherapeutics.

The role

This project seeks to develop a novel Virus-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (VDEPT). Cytotoxic payloads will be developed and conjugated to an inactivating peptide sequence that is selectively cleaved by the protease of a promising oncolytic virus to release the active cytotoxin selectively in the tumour microenvironment.

Thus, the project seeks to develop a novel prodrug and combination therapy. A key aspect of the research will be optimising the self-immolating cleavable linker system for a favourable rate of payload release.

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Skills gained

The project is an active collaboration with the University of Otago. The successful candidate will develop skills in modern organic chemical synthesis, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS), reverse phase-HPLC and may also have the opportunity to conduct biological assays/enzyme assays.

Project

Stapled peptides are an emerging class of therapeutics that bridge the gap between small molecule drugs and biologicals (e.g. monoclonal antibodies – Herceptin), allowing one to target protein-protein interactions (PPIs) once considered “undruggable”. Using modern organic synthesis techniques, linear peptides can be “stapled” to improve their α-helical secondary structure and biological activity properties. Stapled peptides benefit from enhanced receptor affinity and selectivity, improved membrane permeability (accessing intracellular targets) and increased half-lives in body.

The role

This project will develop new stapling methods and a SAR study of stapled-antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to treat an NZ relevant bacterial pathogen, Group A Streptococcus. This pathogen internalises itself inside host epithelial cells and a defence mechanism, allowing it to hide from the immune system and antibiotics, most of which are not permeable to human cells. This results in treatment failure, recurring infection and severe complications such as rheumatic heart disease.

The role

Using novel peptide stapling approaches, you will develop cell permeable stapled antimicrobial peptides which will be tested for activity towards bacteria internalised by epithelial cells.

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Skills gained

Successful candidates will use organic synthesis techniques and modern methods of solid phase peptide

Project

Antibiotic resistance is recognised by the WHO as one of the greatest threats to humanity, and infectious diseases rank as the second most common cause of death worldwide.

Polymyxin antibiotics are the current last-line of defence, but are severely nephrotoxic. Most worryingly, since 2015, a mobile resistance gene (mcr-1) has been spreading globally and making our last hope in the clinic ineffective. In 2022, macolacin was discovered. Macolacin is a new polymyxin scaffold that retains potent activity towards mcr-1 mediated polymyxin resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

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The role

This project seeks to conduct a structure-activity-relationship (SAR) study of macolacin and prepare new analogues with diminished toxicity that could replace polymyxins as last-line of defence antibiotics in the clinic. Successful candidates will use organic synthesis techniques and modern methods of solid phase peptide synthesis. Candidates will also have the opportunity to undertake and learn biological assays if they desire.

Project

Post-translational modification (PTM) is a crucial process that gives proteins their final conformation and chemical properties, thereby determining their biochemical functions. The recent recognition of the significant role that PTMs play in both health and disease has sparked increased interest in this research field.

Of these, methylation is common PTM that occurs on histones, the proteins which provide structural support to chromosomes. Methylation of histones is known to regulate transcription of genes and accordingly, has a role in almost all cellular processes, e.g. cell cycle, stress response etc.

The role

As a result, histone methylation plays a role in lifespan, ageing and disease. We are particularly interested to study dimethylation of lysine residues and its occurrence in different disease. This research project will using recent advances in chemical methods from our laboratory to develop a chemical probe to selectively label and study dimethyl-lysine PTMs in disease. The project will combine synthetic chemistry and analytical chemistry techniques (e.g. HPLC and mass spectrometry) to develop this new platform, with the ultimate goal of answering fundamental questions in biological science an health research.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

The role

Help design and build Pacman Assembly Arena, a fun web-based platform that teaches assembly programming through interactive gameplay. You’ll develop features like a visual debugger, step-by-step code execution, and a game engine where student-written assembly code controls a Pacman or ghost.

This project blends web development, game logic, and low-level programming in a creative, educational tool. You'll be supported by a Māori or Pacific supervision team and take part in regular hui throughout the summer.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Web3 blockchain technology offers new ways to increase student engagement in university lectures. By using smart contracts, universities can create token-based reward systems where students earn tokens for attending and participating. These tokens can be exchanged for benefits like extra office hours or supermarket coupons.

The role

Your task in this project is to build a simple, user-friendly wallet application that enables students to manage and redeem their tokens easily on our blockchain platform.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

The role
This summer research project will explore and develop an immersive interactive experience using VR, Indigenous storytelling, and game design. This project seeks to uncover, restore, and activate mātauranga associated with Ōkahumatamomoe and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. It will also strengthen identity, address historical trauma, and ensure future generations inherit a truthful and empowered narrative.

The researcher will be supported in this project by two academic supervisors from Waipapa Taumata Rau and a mentor from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Project

This scholarship will be hosted by Ngā Motu Whakahī and is specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

A funded project is available to study soft microparticles (e.g. cells) being squeezed within a constriction (e.g. a pipette tip). This work is part of a project to develop new methods for easily analysing the mechanical properties of soft particles.

The role

The project may be experimental or computational, depending on the student’s interests and skills.

For example, an experimental project could work on collecting and analysing data for a particular set of soft particles. A theory / computational project could work on models that are used to find mechanical properties based on experimental data.

Lab website: https://fluidics.physics.auckland.ac.nz/

Project

Up to five students

This scholarship will be hosted by Ngā Motu Whakahī and is specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori.

We are offering up to five summer projects for tauira Māori, through Beyond Prediction, an MBIE-funded data science platform.

The role

Students will be matched with a supervisor and topic based on their skills and interests. Past students have explored population data, epidemiology and health data, statistics and maths education, Māori data sovereignty, AI, data visualisation, and applying tikanga and mātaraunga to data science.

Ideal student

We are particularly interested in students with coding skills. Please get in touch with Lara to discuss topics/supervision.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who are of Pacific heritage.

The role
This project explores the impact of poor Census coverage of the various Pacific populations on the accuracy of Pacific health and social statistics. A combination of Census data, health data and research publications will be used to explore the possible extent of the uncertainty in key official population measures at the national and regional level.

Ideal student

The student should have some familiarity with official statistics and some understanding of Pacific population statistics

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Becoming Sexual Beings is a website developed following extensive research into mātauranga Māori and rangatahi lived experiences. It is designed to support rangatahi on a journey of self-discovery and awareness when embarking on intimate relationships.

The role

For this project, we hope to work with a student who can extend this resource to a print version, including sequencing material, layout, selecting relevant images, seeking rangatahi review, making changes, and publishing. For more information, see https://www.becomingsexualbeings.org/

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

In this project the student will learn to collect infrared and Raman spectra from a variety of plastic-based samples and analyse this data to determine if degradation of the plastics has occurred. The aim of these studies is to understand degradation of cultural items of significance.

Ideal student

This project would suit students in physics, chemistry, computer science or intending to do postgraduate study in museums and cultural heritage.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

This project will investigate freshwater ecosystem management drawing from mātauranga and science.

The role

Research will be fieldwork-based, looking into population dynamics of watercress in rural streams. It will examine the impact of different harvesting techniques as strategies to promote growth and removal of pollutants.

Ideal student

Ideal for students that have an interest in ecology and the interface between mātauranga and science.

Requirement

Whakapapa Māori is required.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) involves the chemical analysis of wastewater for biomarkers to gain information on the habits and health of a population.

This project will involve identifying and quantifying the prostate health biomarker, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in wastewater from around Aotearoa. We hope to compare PSA levels for each of the 21 catchments being sampled, to direct health resources and support.

Skills preferred (but can be taught)

Analytical chemistry skills, including Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and wet laboratory skills.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

The role
We will develop a survey for participants in the Tuākana program in Physics and Stats (possibly also Maths) at the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau. The survey, consisting of mostly open-ended items, will help to understand previous research that suggested a connection between retention in physics and participation in Tuākana. The survey will invite descriptions of whakawhanaungatanga as it relates to persisting through a STEM degree. The survey will be sent to Tuākana participants after this summer project.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

The role

Pacific wellbeing is holistic and multi-dimensional, often expressed through metaphors in ethnic-specific or broader Pacific models. This project will review literature from Aotearoa and the Pacific—academic articles, reports, theses, and policies—to identify key dimensions, values, and principles that underpin Pacific models of health and wellbeing.

Ideal student

The project will be well suited to students who have a strong interest in Pacific wellbeing and/or Pacific research.

Required skills

Strong communication skills (verbal, written) are necessary. Ideal applicants should be independent, self-motivated, with demonstrated initiative and time management skills. As well as having attention to detail, and being open to research and technical training.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Janus particles are micro/nanoparticles with two specific chemistries at their surfaces, having applications in drug-delivery systems or catalysis. When many Janus particles are put in the same environment (e.g. a fluid) they exhibit self-assembly characteristics, forming interesting structures.

The role

This project will involve using molecular dynamics simulations to explore the self-assembly behaviour of three or more Janus particles interacting together in a fluid.

Ideal student

This project would be suited to a student interested in computational/theoretical physics or chemistry at the postgraduate level.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

Resistive Random-Access Memory (RRAM) devices are promising alternatives which switch between states comparable to traditional memory while using significantly less energy and retain information when powered off. These atomic switches aim to be a new paradigm in computing technology in the 21st century.

A single unit in one of these devices is a simple atomic switch, where a potential difference is applied between two electrodes, causing positively charged ions to diffuse through an electrolyte layer between the electrodes, and a nanofilament can form.

The role

This project aims to investigate the mechanisms of growth and dissolution in these atomic switches using molecular dynamics simulation and machine learning methods to understand how the electrolyte environment influences this process.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahi Scholarship targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori and students of Pacific heritage.

This summer studentship is a component of an ongoing observational trial examining motor recovery early after stroke. The trial is evaluating novel biomarkers which can be used within a prediction tool to help individual patients and their whanau understand their potential for recovery of hand and arm function after their stroke.

The role

The scholar will work alongside a diverse and international team of scientists, clinicians, and students within the Movement Neuroscience Lab (907.123).

Ideal student

This opportunity is well-suited for any student who has completed EXERSCI 305 – MOVEMENT NEUROSCIENCE or similar course. Students considering BSc (Honours) study in 2026 are especially encouraged to apply.

This studentship is funded by the Health Research Council of NZ, Project Ref 23/274. Further details can be obtained by emailing Professor Byblow.

Project

Two students

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

This project builds on existing research collation and organisation of Indigenous data sovereignty resources.

The role

Students will create an Indigenous data sovereignty Memorandum to guide current research-active staff and students in the Faculty of Science. The Memorandum will be shared with the Associate Deans Research, Māori, and Pacific and the Dean of Science for endorsement.

Ideal student

Applicants should have an interest in Indigenous data sovereignty, experience in academic writing and gathering and organising documents. You will work with members of the School of Psychology and a fellow summer student to complete this project.

Project

‘O le Toe Ulutaia: A Bibliography of Pasifika and Psychology Research is a resource developed in the School of Psychology that is now in its eighth year.

The role

In this summer project the student will review databases for relevant Pacific psychological research from 2022 to current and thematically organise included articles using a Fonofale framework.

Project

This is a Ngā Motu Whakahī scholarship specifically targeted toward students who whakapapa Māori or are of Pacific heritage.

This project has two components: the relative weighting of each component will depend on the student’s skill-set and interests:
1) Analyse brain imaging data from the Dementia Prevention Research Clinic (DPRC) to investigate how Alzheimer’s Disease affects the brain (supervised by Reece)
2) Work with Sam and Reece to develop culturally sensitive strategies to increase the participation of the Pacific community in the DPRC.

Ideal student
This project is suitable for a Pacific student with an interest in neuroscience and/or cultural psychology.