Key Science Roles

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    Tim Barnard

    Associate Science Leader, Forest Ecology and Management

    Tim Barnard is a social scientist specialising in policy analysis and environmental planning. He represents New Zealand on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Montreal Process.

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    Paul Bennett

    Portfolio Leader, Integrated Bioenergy

    Dr Paul Bennett is the Portfolio Leader for Integrated Bioenergy. Paul has spent over 30 years working on a range of fuels, biofuels and bioenergy issues. He has worked as… Read more

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    Matt Buys

    Team Lead, Plant Systematics and Collections

    Dr Matt Buys is the Project Lead for Scion’s BioCollections and the team lead for Plant Systematics and Collections at Scion. He is also the curator of Scion's National Forestry… Read more

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    Thomas Carlin

    Invasion Ecologist

    Dr Thomas Carlin is an invasion ecologist with broad interests across Zoology, Quantitative Ecology, and Biosecurity. Tom received his PhD in Ecology from the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Christchurch, where he… Read more

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    Katharine Challis

    Scientist, Physics and Materials

    Dr Katharine Challis is a physicist specialising in using advanced theoretical and computational methods to explain and predict the behaviour and dynamics of physical systems. She is currently interested in… Read more

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    Peter Clinton

    Principal Researcher, Microbial Ecology - Soil Systems

    Dr Peter Clinton is a forest ecologist who specialises in maintaining the productive capacity of commercial forests. He is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in sustainable forest management. His… Read more

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    Christophe Collet

    Team Lead, Microbial Biotech

    Using bacteria to produce PHA bioplastics and other high value products from wood residue, in the context of a biorefinery, is an area of research Dr Christophe Collet is focussing… Read more

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    Andrew Cridge

    Portfolio Leader, Trees for High Volume Wood Products

    Dr Andrew Cridge is a molecular entomologist with experience in biosecurity, biocontrol, insect genomics and genome evolution. His research focuses on developing integrated and sustainable solutions to detect and manage… Read more

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    Yvette Dickinson

    Portfolio Leader, Designing forests - Mahi tahi whaihua

    Yvette Dickinson's research applies forest ecology principles to the sustainable management of our forests for a variety of benefits including carbon sequestration, climate change adaption, mitigating hazardous wildfires, protection of… Read more

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    Lloyd Donaldson

    Scientist, Molecular Physiology

    Dr Lloyd Donaldson is a leading microscopist specialising in plant anatomy and ultrastructure, and has pioneered techniques in confocal fluorescence imaging of wood and biomaterials.

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    Heidi Dungey

    Science Leader, Forest Genetics

    Dr Heidi Dungey specialises in tree breeding and genetic resource characterisation for commercial forestry species including radiata pine, Douglas-fir, cypresses, eucalypts and redwoods. Her research encompasses quantitative and ecological genetics… Read more

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    Elizabeth Dunningham

    Acting Portfolio Leader - Indigenous Trees for Distinct Value Wood Products

    Dr Elizabeth Dunningham is a leader and facilitator of science projects and programmes, both from a conventional science perspective and supporting kaupapa Māori-led work. She is a PRINCE2® qualified project… Read more

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    Diego Elustondo

    Team Lead, Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering

    Diego has decades of international experience. He has worked in Chile, Canada, Sweden, and now New Zealand, in Universities, R&D Institutes and Industry. Diego is excited to contribute to the… Read more

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    Grant Evans

    Portfolio Leader, New Value Digital Forests and Wood Sector

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    Muthasim Fahmy

    Team Lead, Physics and Materials

    Dr Muthasim Fahmy is an engineer and physicist specialising in energy processes and systems. His current research focuses on advanced tools for bioenergy systems analysis to understand the role and… Read more

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    Dejan Firm

    Scientist, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dejan is an ecologist, forester and conservationist. His research aims to improve understanding of ecological processes that govern forest ecosystem dynamics, find ways to translate this knowledge into forest and… Read more

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    Alec Foster

    Portfolio Leader, Bioproducts and Packaging

    In his role at Scion, Alec has hands-on knowledge of working with New Zealand companies to create, manufacture and use bioproducts. Before joining our team, he led one of Europe's… Read more

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    Stuart Fraser

    Research Group Leader, Ecology and Environment

    Dr Stuart Fraser is a Forest Pathologist. Stuart’s research focuses on disease epidemiology and management, diagnostics of fungal pathogens, and pathogen adaptability.

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    Marc Gaugler

    Portfolio Leader, Distributed and Circular Manufacturing

    Marc Gaugler is the Portfolio Leader for Distributed and Circular Manufacturing. Marc has worked for more than 15 years on material and process development in New Zealand and Europe. He… Read more

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    Douglas Gaunt

    Scientist, Materials Analysis, Characterisation and Testing

    Doug Gaunt specialises in all aspects of timber engineering and leads research into new timber products and systems. He played a key role in developing and commercialising timber grading systems… Read more

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    Peter Hall

    Team Lead, Process Development

    Peter brings practical experience to his research as he comes from a forest management background, with skills in forest establishment, silviculture and harvesting. He now specialises in resource assessment and… Read more

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    Robin Hartley

    Geospatial Scientist, Autonomous Systems

    Robin Hartley is a geospatial scientist who specialises in the development and application of UAV remote sensing to forestry. Having a diverse range of skills covering remote sensing, mensuration, fire… Read more

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    Darryl Herron

    Team Lead, Pathogen Diagnostics and Collections

    Dr Darryl Herron is a Forest Pathologist and Diagnostician. His focus will be on helping lead Scion’s Diagnostic Service and driving an emerging threats research programme linked to work being… Read more

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    Stefan J. Hill

    Portfolio Leader, High Value Biorefineries

    Dr Stefan Hill specialises in the area of Solid State and Solution State NMR of organic materials and Synchrotron based X-ray diffraction techniques for nanostructure investigation and determination. He is… Read more

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    Alan Jones

    Scientist, Silviculture and Forest Carbon

    Dr Alan Jones works as a Scientist for Silviculture and Forest Carbon at Scion. His role is focussed on optimising the ecosystem service value of trees across all landscapes.

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    Jonathan Kilgour

    Portfolio Leader, Indigenous Trees for Distinct Value Wood Products

    I have joined Scion as the Portfolio Leader Indigenous Trees for Distinct Value Wood Products, part of Impact Area 2 – Forest to Timber Products. I have a background in… Read more

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    Jana Krajňáková

    Scientist, Molecular Physiology

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jana Krajnakova specialises in different aspects of regeneration of forest tree species using tissue culture and biotechnology approaches with a strong focus on the fundamental physiological and… Read more

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    Gareth Lloyd-Jones

    Research Group Leader, Forest Genetics and Biotechnology

    Dr Gareth Lloyd-Jones is a biochemist specialising in industrial biotechnology. His research focuses on microbes and enzymes associated with the carbon cycle and how to re-employ these systems for biosynthetic… Read more

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    Peter Massam

    UAV Operations Manager/Team Lead, Autonomous Systems

    Peter is a Geospatial Technologist who specialises in the acquisition, processing and analysis of Accurate LiDAR and Photogrammetry of Vegetation via Terrestrial or Aerial means. Peter has an extensive surveying… Read more

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    Rebecca McDougal

    Senior Scientist and Team Leader, Pathogen Ecology and Control

    Dr Rebecca McDougal is a microbiologist specialising in forest pathology. Her role is to apply molecular biology techniques in forest diagnostics, characterising pathogen populations and disease management.

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    Kim McGrouther

    Research Group Leader (0.3 FTE) & Sustainability Lead (0.7 FTE)

    Kim is a chemist with broad experience in industrial processing. Since joining Scion in 1991 her research has focused on oxidative pulp bleaching and waste water treatment for the pulp… Read more

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    Dean Meason

    Scientist, Plant Morphology and Physiology

    Dr Dean Meason is a tree ecophysiologist who has worked with a number of different temperate and tropical forest species to provide a mechanistic understanding to forest management. His expertise… Read more

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    Nicolas Meurisse

    Team Lead, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dr Nicolas Meurisse specialises in risk assessment and invasion ecology of forest insects. His research encompasses forest entomology, population modelling and pest management (including monitoring and biological control). Nicolas works… Read more

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    Karl Murton

    Scientist, Process Development

    Dr Karl Murton is a chemical engineer specialising in mechanical pulping technologies. He is researching the production of useful extractives from wood as part of the biorefinery process.

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    Justin Nairn

    Team Lead, Plant Protection Physics and Chemistry

    Justin Nairn is a scientist specialising in spray technologies, the physics and chemistries that govern spray efficacy for pest (herbaceous, invertebrate, fungal and bacterial) management.

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    Kate Parker

    Team Lead, Sustainable Materials

    Dr Kate Parker is a chemist who is developing new packaging materials using biomaterials. Kate’s particular field of interest is biopolymer foams as alternatives to expanded polystyrene.

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    Richard Parker

    Scientist, Additive Manufacturing and Emerging Technologies

    Dr Richard Parker is a human factors researcher who specialises in developing work practices to enhance productivity and safety in dangerous occupations (e.g. forest harvesting and rural fire fighting). His… Read more

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    Thomas Paul

    Scientist, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dr Thomas Paul is a forest ecologist with broad research interests in estimating forest carbon stocks and their change in natural and planted forests, forest inventory designs and their implementation… Read more

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    Tim Payn

    Principal Scientist, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dr Tim Payn comes from a background in soil science and has specialised interest in forest nutrition management. He is heavily involved in global efforts to support sustainable forest management.… Read more

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    Katerina Pihera-Ridge

    Portfolio Leader, Restoring and Protecting the Mauri of Te Waonui a Tāne

    Katerina Pihera-Ridge, Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Whakaue, Uenukukopako, Nga Puhi and Czech Republic. Born and raised in Rotorua, Katerina is connected to her Iwi, culture and community. Katerina is a Kaupapa… Read more

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    Brian Richardson

    Principal Scientist, Plant Protection Physics and Chemistry

    Dr Brian Richardson is a Principal Scientist in the Plant Protection Physics and Chemistry Team with research interests in pest eradication, control of wilding conifers, vegetation management in forest systems,… Read more

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    Steve Riley

    Scientist, Process Development

    Steve Riley leads the wood drying programme at Scion. This research, conducted in partnership with the wood processing industry, has significant impact on the value and performance of sawn timber… Read more

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    Carol Ann Rolando

    Senior Scientist, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dr Carol Rolando is an applied forest scientist with expertise in forest establishment and vegetation management, biosecurity, pesticide application and invasive species management (notably wilding conifers). Having worked as a… Read more

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    Matthew Scott

    Scientist, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dr Matthew Scott is an ecologist who specialises in processes that regulate ecological communities, species interactions and biodiversity. His research interests include links between soil faunal communities and ecosystem processes,… Read more

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    Tripti Singh

    Team Lead, Wood Science Design

    Dr Tripti Singh specialises and leads wood protection research. Her expertise includes wood durability, timber treatments/remedial treatment, wood modification, bioactive molecules, fungal enzymes, and wood preservation/protection standards. Tripti is involved… Read more

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    Simeon Smaill

    Portfolio Leader, Establishing Indigenous Forests

    Dr Simeon Smaill is a microbial ecologist who specialises in plant-soil-microbe interactions in forest systems. His expertise encompasses exploration of the activity of growth-promoting microbes, biogeochemical cycles, nutrient modelling, improving… Read more

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    Stephanie Sopow

    Entomology Team Lead, Entomology

    Stephanie Sopow is an entomologist specialising in forest insect ecology, biosecurity, taxonomy, and biological control. She is Entomology Team Lead, Project Leader for Forest Health Diagnostics, Project Leader for Biological… Read more

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    Mathias Sorieul

    Team Lead, Molecular Physiology

    Dr Mathias Sorieul is a molecular biologist with specialised experience in protein trafficking and cell wall biosynthesis. His research now focused on cell wall architecture design, wood fibre optimisation and… Read more

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    Glenn Thorlby

    Scientist, Quantitative Genomics

    Dr Glenn Thorlby is a plant molecular biologist with specialised experience in gene discovery and functional genomics. He leads Scion’s Plant Biotechnology research that aims to use biotechnology to add… Read more

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    Rebecca Turner

    Scientist, Forest Ecology and Management

    Dr Rebecca Turner is a mathematical biologist with experience in ecological modelling and biosecurity. Her research interests include invasion ecology and process based modelling.

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    Grace Villamor

    Research Group Leader, Economy and Society

    Grace is a human geographer who specialises in understanding robust mechanisms for resilient landscapes. Her research interest is in socio-techno-ecological systems interactions using agent-based models and game simulations. She is… Read more

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    Steve A. Wakelin

    Portfolio Leader, Designing Forests - Mahi Tahi Whaihua

    Dr Wakelin is an environmental microbiologist specializing in Forest Genomics and Ecosystem Functions. He leads an MBIE Endeavour Programme "The Tree Microbiome Project: at the root of climate proofing forests"… Read more

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    Jeremy Warnes

    Technologist/Business Development Manager

    Jeremy Warnes is a technologist and business development manager with a focus on technologies for the manufacturing sectors. Jeremy’s specialises in bio-based materials with a particular emphasis on natural fibre… Read more

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    Michael S. Watt

    Principal Researcher, Remote Sensing and GIS

    Dr Michael Watt is a Principal Researcher who specialises in remote sensing and development of models to characterise growth, health and wood quality of the forest resource. He has published… Read more

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    Suren Wijeyekoon

    Scientist, Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering

    Dr Suren Wijeyekoon is a scientist in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering with experience in bioenergy production and environmental management. His areas of work include gaseous biofuels focussing on biohydrogen and… Read more

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    Toni Withers

    Scientist and Project Leader, Entomology

    Dr Withers is a expert in biological control using beneficial insects to control other pest insects and pest plants. By specialising in quantifying and interpreting insect behaviour – specifically how… Read more