At Lab Supply, we get a real kick out of supporting New Zealand’s next generation of scientists and connecting them with the science community.
This year, we were able to offer two free tickets to the Biotech Life Science Summit to research fellows
Abby Sharrock and
Hannah Lee-Harwood of Victoria University’s School of Biological Sciences.
The Human Health Masterclass on CAR-T cell progress and applications was a highlight for Senior Research Fellow Abby Sharrock, whose research focuses on enzyme discovery and engineering to advance cell therapies. “In particular, I am developing novel enzyme tools that can help other researchers model diseases characterised by cell loss, and enzymes that could improve the efficacy of next-generation CAR-T cell therapies.” Another highlight for Abby was hearing lightning pitches from six New Zealand Biotech companies in te Quickfire Innovation Showcase, giving her “a fresh perspective on how our research can move beyond the lab and be translated into real-world outcomes in Aotearoa.”
Dr. Dirk van der Kley’s forward-looking perspective on how the current geopolitical landscape will shape future trends in the funding and operation of biotech was insightful for Postdoctoral Research Fellow Hannah Lee-Harwood. “These cross-disciplinary insights were incredibly interesting and emphasise how fundamental research is still highly connected to global events.”
“I also enjoyed the panel discussions. In particular, the panels on advanced tech and how people across the sector view the challenges and opportunities AI presents for Aotearoa.”
Hannah’s research centres on biodiscovery of novel enzymes from the environment for bioremediation and industrial applications.
Opportunities like this are about more than just attending an event - they’re about connecting with researchers, industry professionals, and peers who share a passion for advancing science. We're thrilled to be able to provide young New Zealand scientists with opportunities like this, giving them further insight into the industry and keeping them up-to-date with the latest innovations and technology.