Philanthropist’s generosity drives research into drug treatments for kiwi, bird strike deterrence and forage innovations

Earlier this month the George Mason Charitable Trust gifted $5 million to the Massey University Foundation to establish the Dr George Mason Endowment Fund for Natural Environmental Research.

At the signing of the gifting agreement, four recipients of the Trust scholarships gave presentations on their PhD research projects to date.

New treatment for kiwi in captivity

Dr Emma Scheltema said the funding made it possible for her to leave her full-time job and embark on a three-and-a-half-year PhD project into the diagnosis of, and potential new drug treatments for, coccidiosis in kiwi chicks in captivity.

Her research uncovered a new species of coccidia that infects tissue outside the intestine; established the blood biochemistry and haematology of kiwi chicks; identified a new method of administering anticoccidial drug treatments via food; and developed a method of testing drug levels in kiwis.

How to deter birds from oil spills

PhD student Liam Mowbray is aiming to come up with a toolbox of methods to deter birds away from oil spills. In the initial stages of his research he has worked with a range of organisations that need to exclude birds, including airports and agricultural and horticultural industries, as well as waste management organisations.

After receiving animal ethics approval earlier this year, he is about to start field work testing five different methods of bird deterrence - gas cannons, effigies, flapping tape, lasers and drones – around Miranda, on the southwestern shore of the Firth of Thames, in collaboration with the Pūkorokoro-Miranda Shorebird Centre.

Using wearable technology to evaluate sheep foraging preferences

For her PhD research, Shannon Ruddy is monitoring sheep foraging behaviour to investigate the potential for native shrubs to be incorporated into pastures on hill country sheep farms.

While scientists previously sat in the paddock to observe sheep behaviour, Shannon is using wearable sensors with global positioning system (GPS) tracking to measure activity, energy expenditure, and foraging preferences.

Miracle Moringa could reduce methane emissions

Blair Moses Kamanga has spent the past three years researching the potential for the tropical plant, Moringa oleifera, to be used as a fodder crop in New Zealand.

Moringa is naturally grown for stock in many Southern African countries. His research proved that the crop would grow in warmer parts of New Zealand such as Northland and Taranaki with low invasive potential. Additionally, mixing Moringa leaves in feed can be used as protein supplement in livestock to reduce the methane emission without causing any effect on digestibility and rumen fermentation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter congratulated the students on the high quality of their research and encouraged them to establish strong linkages to industries and sectors with a direct interest in the outcomes of their projects.

“Congratulations, you are the thought leaders of tomorrow and today. Your research will lead to widespread impact as long as you keep collaborating and focus on enterprise and innovation alongside science and passion.”