I am a PhD student at The University of Auckland working in collaboration with Comvita Innovation Limited. The aim of my PhD project is to explore the wound healing and anti-microbial properties of New Zealand honeys, conducted under the supervision of Associate Professor Geoff Krissansen and Professor Margot Skinner (The University of Auckland).

I have a Master’s of Food Technology degree from Massey University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Science from Auckland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree from Osmania University (India). I gained experience working as a Research Assistant at The University of Auckland and Plant and Food (Research Crown Research Institute) and also as a Microbiologist Technician at Lion Nathan and Assure Quality. I’ve been with Comvita since 2009 and Comvita projects have given me the scope to achieve my goals. I’m also the inaugural recipient of the Claude Alexander Stratford* Research Scholarship from Comvita.

*Claude Stratford founded Comvita in 1974

PhD Student with Claude Alexander Stratford Research Scholarship The University of Auckland

SWAPNAGANNABATHULA

Studentship Programme

Innovation

Innovation

Studentship Programme

JENNIFER KUEHNEPhD Student Biological SciencesThe University of Auckland

I studied Food Technology at The Technical University of Berlin and I’m about to start my PhD at The University of Auckland in collaboration with Comvita. During my Bachelor’s degree, I became interested in substances with health benefits which can be extracted from food then used in other products such as cosmetics or health care. After my Bachelor’s I decided to go abroad to study for my Masters. Luckily there’d already been successful cases of Comvita student projects where I was studying.

After talking to Dr. Ralf Schlothauer (Chief Technical Officer, Comvita) and researching Comvita products, I became fascinated by the idea of honey as a wound healing agent. My Master’s project focused on the non-peroxide properties of Manuka honey. The work was really interesting and I was able to improve my analytic techniques. Discussing the project with my supervisors was the best part of working with Comvita. Those discussions were always very creative and led to innovative ideas. My PhD project continues the work I did last year. I’m really looking forward to starting the project and learning more about the medical properties of Manuka honey.

Innovation

Studentship Programme

STACEYLOCKYERPhD Student Food and Nutritional Sciences The University of Reading, UK

I have a degree in Biology with Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London. I then completed a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Science at The University of Reading and worked as a research assistant for two years in the Hugh Sinclair Human Nutrition Unit running human intervention studies.

I undertook a PhD at The University of Reading with Comvita, investigating the potential health benefits of Olive Leaf phenolics and am due to complete my third year at a New Zealand-based university. This project combines research via human intervention trials with lab based experiments and builds on my previous experience researching the impact of nutrition on heart disease risk factors whilst expanding my knowledge into polyphenols and also immunology.

By interacting with Comvita I have gained insight into health claims which will be valuable for my future career as I would ideally like to become a nutritional scientist within the food industry. It is also important for my future prospects to gain experience working in a different setting so this project was ideal.

Innovation

Studentship Programme

JESSIE BONGStudent, Master of Science Biological SciencesThe University of Auckland

My experience working on a Master’s project with Comvita has been very fulfilling and worthwhile. My research topic is on fluorescence screening of New Zealand honeys. Previously, I did an Honours project with Comvita on beeswax for cosmetic applications.

My involvement with Comvita has allowed me to experience what real world scientific research is like. The work stimulates me to do a lot of critical thinking, and honey is such an amazing subject to study. In the process, I believe I have acquired and developed a whole lot of research and analytical skills, especially under the guidance and supervision of professional mentors. It also provided me with an opportunity to grow as a person and collaborate with many people at the top of their field.

My career aspiration is to find a creative, innovative and challenging scientific role where I could apply my knowledge, skills, and values and contribute to the world of science. My experience with Comvita is definitely helping me to achieve that.

I just finished my Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biotechnology at The University of Auckland. The final year project was completed with Comvita, under the supervision of Jonathan Stephens (Senior Research Manager, Comvita) and Dr Kerry Loomes (Senior Lecturer, The University of Auckland). Being innovative was the key lesson I learnt from everyone in the research group. It was a totally different experience from the first few years of the Bachelor degree, and demonstrated that science is a lot more than just going to lectures and sitting exams.

I came back to Comvita this year to do my Master’s project with them. The project is about testing the inhibitory effects of polyphenolics from a range of natural products against a range of enzymes, followed by comparing them with the currently available commercial inhibitors in cosmetic products.

BIN LINStudent, Master of Science Biological SciencesThe University of Auckland

Studentship Programme

Innovation

Innovation

Studentship Programme

VAZISHTAANTIAStudent Master of Bioscience EnterpriseThe University of Auckland

After completing a Bachelor of Science degree, I decided to take a Master’s degree in Bioscience Enterprise to supplement my purely science degree with business and commercialisation skills. I was introduced to Comvita when I entered the Comvita Science Video Challenge in 2011. Our team made it into the finals and I had the opportunity to find out more about Comvita by talking to their staff. I was offered my Master’s internship project with Comvita at the end of 2011, working on identifying the ways in which individuals can be motivated to become more physically active.

My project is a mixed method research design incorporating a pedometer based trial, questionnaires and focus groups to highlight whether integrated gamification within pedometers results in increased physical activity and motivation towards healthier lifestyles. Having experienced the opportunities available, and the supportive and enjoyable work culture, I would recommend students interact with Comvita staff early, so that they don’t miss out on a great opportunity to gain valuable industry experience when it arises.

Innovation

Studentship Programme

VICTORIATOMBLINStudent Master of Health Sciences The University of Auckland

I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in History at The University of Canterbury. I first discovered the study of nutrition during my Bachelors and took an immediate interest. Since then, I’ve completed a Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Nutrition at Massey University prior to embarking on my Master’s degree at The University of Auckland in conjunction with Comvita.

I was aware of Comvita’s good reputation, so when I discovered the Technology for Industry Fellowship opportunity with Comvita on a project examining honey in wound healing, I jumped at the chance.

My research primarily investigated the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory effects of Manuka and Kanuka honeys as well as their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in vitro. For me, the best part of being involved with Comvita was working alongside the brilliant people at Comvita Innovation in a high-class laboratory. The staff were supportive of my research and encouraged me to expand my skill set and knowledge. I look forward to pursuing my studies further with a PhD project.

BO YUNSummer Student, 2011/2012 The University of Auckland

Studentship Programme

Innovation

I have completed a Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry with first class Honours at The University of Auckland. I’m very interested in regulatory roles in Food and Drug Administration in the field of my specialty, and would like to work for a regulatory body in industry or government in the future.

My summer studentship project focused on examining enzyme kinetics, especially media stabilization. During the project, I learnt new laboratory skills such as Amplex red, which is a Biochemistry assay that uses a living culture to determine bioactivity. It was my first time working with a company and it was a different experience from academic research in that developing ideas and putting ideas into practice was a key part of the work. My research work not only involved data analysis and interpretation, but also making an estimate of the commercial worth of the discovery.

I really enjoyed the way in which the project evolved to fit its findings. I had self-directed hours and self-motivation on a day-to-day basis but received clear management and direction in designing experiments from my mentor. I found Comvita staff to be approachable and friendly. It was great to be part of a company where my research may be of use in product development and this gave me a strong sense of achievement.

Innovation

Studentship Programme

MORGANPEDERSENSummer Student, 2011/2012 The University of Auckland

I have completed my undergraduate degree at Massey University in Palmerston North studying a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Physiology. Now I’m a third year Medicine student at The University of Auckland, studying to becoming a medical practitioner.

My summer studentship project with Comvita Innovation was on the development of ELISA protocol for examining honey for Arabinogalactan-proteins. I learnt what happens behind the scenes of commercial product creation and learnt to take time to develop a proper research plan, not an instant one. I also learnt to work as part of a research team. It was great to learn the fundamentals behind the development of natural health and beauty products. The project was mostly self-directed but with supervision from my mentor provided when required. My summer studentship at Comvita Innovation gave me an opportunity to learn more about natural products being used alongside conventional and modern drug therapies and I found it interesting.