|  site navigation bar  |

This page should provide a forum to inform members of events of interest or concern
to microbiologists in New Zealand - if you have information you would like
highlighted here, or that you think should be of concern to New Zealand
microbiologists, please email the webmaster

Bookmark this page to find out what is happening that affects you!

 

12. September, 2011 | AusSM/NZMS Research Travel Award

As part of its responsibilities, the executive of NZMS have been working toward new and exciting opportunities for NZMS student members that will not only benefit members of NZMS but will also foster interaction between NZMS and the Australian Society for Microbiology.

The 'AusSM/NZMS Postgraduate Research Travel Award' is a research and conference exchange award between the Australian Society for Microbiology and NZMS that is aimed at supporting students who wish to carry out collaborative research in Australia as well as present a paper at the Annual Australian Society for Microbiology Scientific Meeting (next meeting: 01.-05. July, 2012 in Brisbane). The award is offered on a merit-based application and only a single award will be offered annually (subject to funding). In addition, this is a reciprocal award, attracting an Australian postgraduate to NZ for collaboration and presentation and increasing the collaboration between the Microbiological Societies of both countries.

Further information on this award can be found on the 'Funding Opportunities' page here.

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for applications for this award has been extended to 31. January, 2012

 

12. September, 2011 | ASM/NZMS Student Speaker Award

In order to make attending and presenting papers at the annual meeting of the society more attractive, a joint prize sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and NZMS will replace the current student speaker award. The new 'ASM/NZMS Student Speaker Award' will be offered to the winner of the student speaker competition at NZMS2011: right here, right now! in Palmerston North. The prize will include the opportunity to present a paper at the annual ASM meeting in the United States in the year following thw prize award.

Further information on this prize can be found here.

 

11. June, 2011  |  The 2011 Distinguished Speaker (Orator) is Prof. Gillian Lewis

The 2011 Distinguished Speaker Award will be given to Prof. Gillian Lewis of Auckland University. As part of the award, Prof. Lewis will present the 2011 Oratory at NZMS2011: right here, right now! in Palmerston North.

A biography of Prof. Lewis and further information about the Distinguished Speaker Award (including details of past recipients of the award) can be found here.

 

06. December, 2010  |  Dr. Diana Martin elected to Honorary Membership of NZMS

Dr. Diana Martin (FRSNZ, ONZM), medical microbiologist with ESR in Porirua, long-time member and former President of NZMS was elected to honorary membership at the 2010 AGM. This award marks Diana's long-standing association with and contribution to the society, as well as her outstanding contribution to the advancement of microbiology in New Zealand.

 

06. December, 2010  |  Upcoming Annual Scientific Meetings of the Society

The 56th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society (NZMS2011: right here, right now) will take place in Palmerston North from 23. - 25. November, 2011. Organisation is well under way for this meeting, which will be convened by Adrian Cookson/Steve Flint. Further information and breaking news concerning the organisation can be found on the newly established website available here.

The 57th Annual Scientific Meeting (NZMS2012: world famous (and) in New Zealand) will be held in Dunedin from 26. to 29. November, 2012 and will be convened by Ralph Jack. Further details can be found here.

 

13. October, 2010  |  Education SIG Workshop for Secondary Teachers at NZMS2010

The special interest group for microbiology education (SIG-education) are proud to announce the the 'Inaugural New Zealand Microbiological Society Workshop for Secondary School Teachers'.  This workshop will be held on the 30th of November, just before the Annual Conference 'small things, BIG ideas' at The University of Auckland, New Zealand (30. November – 03. December, 2010). The aim of the workshop is to increase awareness of microbiology, as well as to offer support and direct tewachers to classroom-friendly resources already available to them. Further details and a programme for this workshop can be found here.

 

21. July, 2010  |  NZMS Appointed to RSNZ Biological & Lifes Sciences Advisory Panel

Advisory Panels are being established for each of the three disciplinary-based Vice-Presidents (i.e. Vice-President, Biological and Life Sciences; Vice-President, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology and Vice-President, Social Sciences and Humanities) of the Royal Society. These Panels will be chaired by the relevant Vice-President (i.e. Stephen Goldson in the case of Biological and Life Sciences) and will comprise the Presidents (or their nominees) of the various Constituent Organisations that fall within the ambit of each.

These Advisory Panels will then meet as and when required to establish Expert Panels which will respond to critical public issues through the auspices of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
These Expert Panels will be formed via the Vice-President’s Advisory Panel and Chief Executive and will draw on appropriate expertise within the Academy and other members of the Royal Society. Topics for these Advisory Panels can be tendered by the Council, Academy Executive Committee, Fellows or Constituent Organisations. An outcome will be “Think Pieces” that will be reviewed, signed off by the Royal Society Council and then published by the Royal Society. Where the Expert Panels seek to consider issues across disciplines e.g. climate change, one Vice-President will lead the Expert Panel. A recent contribution in which Biological & Life Sciences was involved in was ‘Genetically Modified Forages - Emerging Issues’. This led to quite a media reaction.

Notably, part of the role of the Expert Panels is also to organise meetings such as that currently being developed by the NZ Grassland Association and NZ Soil Science Society: ‘Collision of Land Use. A one-day forum on a matter of importance’. These are effectively issue-driven Expert Panels. Once approved as above, funding will be provided.

The Royal Society of New Zealand’s Biological and Life Sciences Advisory Panel consists of:

• Jon Harding (NZ Freshwater Sciences Society)
• Matt Templeton (NZ Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
  
• Mike Clearwater (NZ Society of Plant Biologists)
  
• Kirk Hamilton (Physiological Society of New Zealand)
  
• Jane Coad (Nutrition Society of New Zealand)
  
• Annette Nistor (Dieticians NZ)
  
• Adrian Cookson (NZ Microbiological Society)
  
• Mike Berridge (NZ Society for Oncology)
  
• Jacqueline Rowarth (NZ Grassland Association)
  
• Andrew McEwan (NZ Institute of Forestry)
  
• Alan Hewitt (NZ Soil Science Society)
  
• Peter Jolly (NZ Veterinary Association)

 

home  |  about  |  contact  |  join