• 2025 Forester of the Year

    Dr Dean Meason, a senior scientist, has been named New Zealand Institute of Forestry's 2025 Forester of the Year.
    Forester of Year title recognises Scion senior scientist

  • Enduring impact award for Scion's Tripti Singh

    Recognition, collaboration, and innovation were on full display in Rotorua last week as Tripti Singh received the Enduring Impact Award at the International Conference on Timber Bridges (ICTB).

  • Grace Villamor appointed to Marsden Fund panel

    Grace Villamor, Senior Scientist in Scion’s Economy and Society group, has been appointed to the Economics and Human and Behavioural Sciences Panel for the Marsden Fund, following an invitation from the Royal Society Te Apārangi
    Grace Villamor

2025 Science New Zealand Award finalists

The Science New Zealand (SNZ) Awards recognise outstanding scientific achievements, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Scion’s exceptional finalists as we approach the awards ceremony. These individuals and teams are pushing the boundaries of knowledge, making significant contributions to science, and driving innovation. Congratulations to Scion’s finalists:

Early Career Researcher finalist - Ilze Pretorius

Ilze has made groundbreaking contributions to forest biosecurity science, particularly by linking atmospheric science with pest management in Aotearoa. Her research on how pests arrive in New Zealand through air pathways is revolutionising our approach to forest protection. Additionally, Ilze plays a key role in Scion's rural fire research team, contributing to the MBIE-funded Extreme Wildfire Programme and developing advanced wildfire detection methods. Watch video.

Collaboration for Impact finalist - The Cetogenix project team (AgResearch, Cetogenix, and BPA)

Led by Scion's Carla Cronje, the Cetogenix project team is recognised for their outstanding collaborative efforts in advancing bioeconomy research. Under Carla’s leadership, the team has made significant strides in developing sustainable technologies. By combining expertise, they’re driving real change—advancing technology, tackling organic waste, and reducing the carbon footprint of New Zealand’s primary industries. This is science in action. Watch video.

Te Tohu Tūhura finalist - Katerina Pihera-Ridge

Katerina is a visionary leader who seamlessly integrates Te Ao Māori with science to create transformative change. Her mahi, deeply rooted in collaboration with Māori communities, empowers rangatahi, fosters innovation, and delivers sustainable solutions. Watch video.

Success in Innovation/Commercialisation finalist - The Ecogas team

Led by Scion's Paul Bennett, the Ecogas team is pioneering sustainable innovation with New Zealand’s first commercial-scale biomethane and biofertiliser production facility. By processing 75,000 tonnes of organic waste annually, they’re making a significant environmental impact. This achievement is the result of a strong partnership between Pioneer Energy, EcoStock Supplies Ltd., and Scion’s science and technology experts.  Watch video.

Individual/Lifetime Achievement finalist - Florian Graichen

Florian's leadership extends beyond research—he has played a key role in advancing biorefineries, promoting renewable resources, and shaping policies and industry practices that support a circular bioeconomy. His work continues to address both environmental and economic challenges. Florian has also made significant contributions to education and policy. As Scion’s Acting Chief Operating Officer, he is guiding our organisation through a time of change in the science sector, ensuring our work continues to drive innovation and positive impact for the future. Watch video.

Kim McGrouther honoured for services to the pulp and paper industry

Kim McGrouther, Scion’s Research Group Leader for Chemistry and Physics, was honoured with the prestigious L.R. Benjamin Medal from the Appita Association in November 2024, recognising her exceptional contributions to scientific research and sustainability in New Zealand’s pulp and paper industry. Read more.

2024 NZ Biosecurity Awards - Minister's biosecurity award winner

Principal researcher Dr Brian Richardson has been acknowledged for his outstanding contributions to New Zealand Biosecurity, presented with the Minister’s Biosecurity Award at the NZ Biosecurity Awards on 8 April.

2023 Science New Zealand Awards

Scion scientists have been celebrated in the annual Science New Zealand awards for work to help cut industrial CO2 emissions, reduce microplastics in the environment, and to connect Māori communities with research and science. Scion awardees in the three categories were:

Scion’s awardee for Individual/Lifetime Achievement is emeritus Dr Tanira Kingi for his more than 30-year career covering management, consultancy, and academic positions across the primary sectors. Tanira (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa,Te Arawa) is a Climate Change Commissioner, an advisor to the Ministries for the Environment and Primary Industries and an independent research scientist. Tanira has significantly contributed to New Zealand's primary industries and the Māori community. He has mentored young Māori researchers and is considered a lead expert in Māori land tenure and organisational structures. In his time at Scion, he worked collaboratively with teams across the organisation providing mentorship, and strategic advice while leading programmes in climate mitigation and land use change scenario modelling. In 2021 he was made an emeritus scientist at Scion. Watch the video

Scion’s awardee for Early Career Researcher is Dr Bing Song who leads Scion's Solid Biofuel Project. Between joining Scion in 2019 and the awards in 2023, Bing has been a primary author on seven papers and co-authored another five. Of the 35 published papers in his career, 31 have been in Q1 journals – the highest-ranking in a particular field. Bing often helps review manuscripts for journals in his field, mentor colleagues as is editor of two international academic journals. He is passionate about the work which could replace coal and gas in New Zealand industry helping reduce the nearly 5 million tonnes of CO2 emitted by industry every year. Watch the video

Our awardee for the Team Award is the Microplastic Team. The team has been working to understand how much microplastic is in our environment, what it is, where it is coming from and what environmental consequences it has. Their work has contributed to a wide range of projects including fundamental research, community engagement and outreach, and commercial projects which include determining the amount of microplastic in our food. Their research insights have been sent to regional councils and national environmental groups allowing them to adjust their plastic clean up plans. The work will ultimately lead to strategies to reduce microplastics pollution and its impacts. The team also contributed to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) led multi-party Endeavour Fund project Aotearoa Impacts and Mitigation of Microplastics. Scion team members included Anna de Lena, Beatrix Theobald, Ben Davy, Jamie Bridson, Kate Parker (project leader), Lloyd Donaldson, Maxime Barbier, Queenie Tanjay, Regis Risani, Robert Abbel, Ross Anderson and Steph Davy. Watch the video