Rutherford Fellowship for microbiologist

University of Otago microbiologist Dr Peter Fineran is having an unusually good month, having just gained two research awards, including a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, which comes with $800,000 in research funding.

Dr Fineran (32), who is a senior lecturer in the Otago microbiology and immunology department, spent most of last month overseas, attending two scientific meetings in the United States and visiting a laboratory in the Netherlands.

Since his return to Dunedin, the Royal Society of New Zealand has announced Dr Fineran is the only Otago scientist among ten top researchers throughout the country to gain a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship. This will provide him with $800,000 over five years.

The fellowships help academics develop their research careers in New Zealand.

Dr Fineran said the fellowship was a "fantastic" outcome, enabling him to achieve "a greater research focus" over the five years.

Otago University officials also recently announced he was one of six Otago academics this year to gain an early career award for distinction in research. He also receives a $5000 grant.

In his Rutherford research programme, he aims to investigate the systems bacteria use in creating an "adaptive immune system" to counter bacteriophages, types of viruses which target bacteria.

This bacterial immune system involved "an amazing mechanism", and a memory of past viral invasions.

Better understanding this system could provide significant benefits in agriculture, including in cheese production, he said in an interview.

• Other Rutherford Discovery Fellowships went to: Dr Quentin Atkinson, Dr David Goldstone, Dr Nick Shears (all of Auckland University); Dr Nancy Bertler (GNS Science/Victoria University of Wellington, Joint Antarctic Research Institute); Dr Justin Hodgkiss, Dr Nicole Moreham (Victoria University of Wellington); Dr Christopher Hann, Dr Anthony Poole (Canterbury University); Dr Wayne Patrick (Massey University, Albany).

- john.gibb@odt.co.nz