DOCUMENT

“The fellowshipwill provide invaluable opportunities during myfirst fewyears as an early-career researcher, including an exciting new collaborationwith talented researchers inCaliforniawho have access to the latest advancements in science.” Dr Maize Cao, MND researcher 28 Extraordinary applicants lead to extra fellowships First Fellowship grants are awarded for outstanding early-career researchers. This year’s applicants were so exceptional that we awarded three First Fellowships (all from the University of Auckland) instead of the usual two. They were: • Dr Maize Cao for her work in motor neuron disease (MND), a tragic neurological disorder. She’s looking at ‘protein clumps’ in brain cells and patterns of RNA changes, to work out how these are linked to disease. • Dr James Hucklesby for his work in ischaemic stroke, which affects around 9,000 Kiwis a year. He’s experimenting with medications to prevent damage to the lining of blood vessels that can be caused during treatment. • Dr SamMcCullough for his work in concussion. He’s exploring the potential of stem cells taken from skull bone marrow to treat mild traumatic brain injuries – which are exceptionally common in NZ, especially in young adults.