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Alumni business scholar recipients and where they are now - Annual Report 2022
20 April, 2023
2017 Business Scholarship recipients
Manmeet Kaur
Prior to being awarded the Alumni Business Scholarship, Dr Manmeet Kaur had been a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Auckland and worked as a research scientist at Hi-Aspect Limited, a MacDiarmid Institute affiliated spin-out. She says her previous academic and industrial research experiences motivated her to apply for the scholarship.
With the scholarship, Manmeet further developed skills required to identify new investments and solutions and make sense of the ever-present uncertainty associated with early-stage ventures and start-ups.
Master of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (University of Auckland)
2022: Manmeet now works at Verital Innovations as a business development manager. She says the business scholarship really helped her bridge from science into her new role.
Matthew Cowan
Dr Matthew Cowan is an Associate Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute and a chemical engineer at the University of Canterbury, focussing on using nanotechnology to make the most out of solar energy.
For Matthew, the scholarship supported him towards his goal of introducing innovative technologies to transform the petrochemicals industry.
Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Administration (University of Canterbury)
2022: Now a senior lecturer in engineering at the University of Canterbury. His research focusses on enhancing sustainability by reducing the energy used and emissions produced by the behind-the-scenes processes we use every day.
Nihan Aydemir
Dr Nihan Aydemir completed her PhD in 2016 at the University of Auckland in micro and nanostructure organic conductor biosensors under the supervision of Principal Investigator Professor Jadranka Travas-Sejdic. Nihan then worked as a postdoctoral chemist at Plant and Food Research, focussed on mimicking how insects use proteins to smell.
The Alumni Business Scholarship supported Nihan's work in her and Jadranka’s start-up company, Spot-Check, which won the 1st place in the University of Auckland’s Velocity 100k Challenge in 2016.
Master of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (University of Auckland)
2022: Nihan is now assistant professor at Gebze Technical University in Turkey and technology transfer manager at Teknopark İstanbul A.Ş. which specialises in defence and space manufacturing.
Brendan Darby
As part of his PhD in physics, Dr Brendan Darby developed IP for a new technique to analyse ‘cloudy’ solutions. He helped launch start-up company MaramaLabs, which commercialised the spectrophotometer technique known as CloudSpec, used in industries such as viticulture and water treatment.
The Alumni Business Scholarship allowed Brendan to kickstart his career as an emerging commercial scientist by exposing him to business practices and fundamental corporate operations that would inevitably be asked of him in his future career as founder of MaramaLabs.
2022: Brendan is now also CEO of MaramaLabs, which has developed patented UV-Vis spectroscopy technology and cloud software for rapid and accurate analysis of cloudy liquids. Target markets include winemaking, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and water quality testing. In 2021 MaramaLabs raised $1.25m of growth capital.
I'm passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and society by adding to New Zealand's high-tech manufacturing ecosystem.
Dr Matthew Cowan 2017 Business Scholarship recipient
2018 Business Scholarship recipients
Eldon Tate
Dr Eldon Tate developed a new piece of IP technology during his PhD and went on to co-found start-up company Inhibit Coatings Ltd with MacDiarmid Institute Emeritus Investigator Professor Jim Johnston. With the support of the Business Scholarship, Eldon undertook the Advanced Management Programme offered by Melbourne Business School.
Advanced Management Programme (Melbourne Business School)
2022: Eldon has been CEO of Inhibit Coatings since 2016. Inhibit Coatings makes antimicrobial coatings for food safety and healthcare applications. In 2022 the company received one of four of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Awards.
Hannah Zheng
Dr Hannah Zheng completed her PhD in physics at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, studying with MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigator Associate Professor Natalie Plank.
The Alumni Business Scholarship enabled Hannah to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Business at AUT while working as a materials scientist at start- up company Revolution Fibres.
Postgraduate Diploma in Global Business (Auckland University of Technology)
2022: Hannah is currently a regulation specialist at NanoLayr (formerly Revolution Fibres), with the key responsibility of directing compliance strategy for new and existing products in line with global regulatory requirements.
Rob Staniland
Dr Rob Staniland completed a PhD in chemistry at the University of Canterbury with Principal Investigator Professor Paul Kruger before taking up a position at Mint Innovation, a deep-tech start-up company. Rob was keen to study Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship in order to better take scientific solutions out of the laboratory and to the market.
Postgraduate Certificate of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (University of Auckland)
2022: Working as R&D lead at Mint Innovation. In late 2020, the company raised $20m to go global in an investment round led by Rob.
Sam Yu
Dr Sam Yu completed a PhD at University of Canterbury supervised by Emeritus Investigators Professors Alison Downard and Richard Blaikie. Sam then used his Alumni Business Scholarship to complete professional development short courses in governance and leadership management from the Institute of Directors and from Icehouse, to further develop his board and investor experiences. Since then, he has been heavily involved in business development and marketing for start-ups wishing to commercialise technologies from within the New Zealand research sector.
Professional development short courses (Institute of Directors and Icehouse)
2022: Sam currently works as a tech investor and board advisor at Sky High Business Consultancy and Advisory. He is also on the Scientific Advisory Board for Matū and is a mentor for Te Ōhaka – Centre for Growth and Innovation.
Akshita Wason
Dr Akshita Wason completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury under supervision of Emeritus Investigator Professor Juliet Gerrard, and had worked at start-up company Hi-Aspect, and with the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor.
Akshita used the scholarship to develop her skills in taking deep-tech projects from local market launch through to establishing global presence, and to study policy-induced effects on the innovation ecosystem.
Master of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (University of Auckland)
2022: Akshita currently works in Government Incentives as an engagement team lead at Callaghan Innovation.
I was keen to learn more about the global business sector in order to underpin the technical knowledge I could bring to projects.
Dr Hannah Zheng 2018 Business Scholarship recipient
2019 Business Scholarship recipients
Lita Lee
Dr Lita Lee completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury supervised by Emeritus Investigator Professor Alison Downard. She then took up a position at Mint Innovation.
Through studying a Postgraduate Certificate in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship, Lita gained a better understanding about the challenges involved in the commercialisation process and ways to assist start-up companies with their commercialisation journey.
Postgraduate Certificate in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (University of Auckland)
2022: Lita continues to work at Mint Innovation as a senior scientist. In 2020, she was guest speaker at the MacDiarmid Institute Future of Work: Sustainability alumni event.
Amy Zhu
Dr Amy Zhu completed her PhD on the development of novel biosensors based on conducting polymers under the supervision of Principal Investigator Professor Jadranka Travas-Sejdic. She then worked as a research fellow at the University of Auckland.
Amy used her scholarship to gain practical tools and a solid commercialisation mindset. Her long-term goal is to pursue an R&D and science-led commercialisation career with a focus on translating biomaterial research into products that can benefit human wellness and social wellbeing.
Postgraduate Certificate in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (University of Auckland)
2022: Amy is still working as a research fellow at the University of Auckland with research interests in the development of novel portable and wearable sensors based on conducting polymer; fabrication of 2D and 3D electronics; and development of large-scale manufacturable sensing platform.
Knowledge in IP, marketing and commercialisation are fundamental to bridging academia and industry.
Dr Manmeet Kaur 2017 Business Scholarship recipient
2020 Business Scholarship recipients
Anna Farquhar
Dr Anna Farquhar completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury with Emeritus Investigator Professor Alison Downard and worked as a senior scientist in the R&D team at Aeroqual in Auckland as an electrochemist, focussing on electrochemical gas sensors, and ensuring their reliability in monitoring air pollution.
Anna commenced her scholarship in 2021, gaining skills in business, product management and leadership to help develop New Zealand’s reputation in the global air quality industry.
Master of Business Development, Innovation and Product Management (University of Auckland)
2022: Anna is now R&D team leader at Aeroqual Ltd, a New Zealand-based company that specialises in sensor based real-time ambient air quality monitoring. Her research focusses on electrochemical gas sensors, and their use in ambient air measurements. She spoke at our Techweek 2021 in Christchurch, and contributed to our Regional Lecture Series 2022 event in Tauranga.
Stephen Lo
Prior to completing his PhD in chemistry at the University of Auckland, supervised by Associate Investigator Professor David Barker, Dr Stephen Lo had begun a Postgraduate Diploma of Bioscience Enterprise at the University of Auckland. The Alumni Business Scholarship enabled him to complete this programme and commence the Master of Bioscience Enterprise and develop the knowledge and skills required to bring valuable products from scientific research towards the commercial space.
Postgraduate Diploma, Bioscience Enterprise (University of Auckland)
2022: Stephen is commercialisation manager at UniServices (Engineering and Digital Technologies) supporting researchers at the University of Auckland to evaluate, develop and manage the commercial opportunities for their innovative technologies, research and ideas that will have significant impact in the world. Stephen presented at the MacDiarmid Institute Careers and Relevant-to-Industry Skills Programme (CRISP) ‘The Friendly TTO’ workshop in 2022.
Udbhav Ojha
After completing his PhD in condensed matter and materials physics at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington under Principal Investigator Professor Nicola Gaston, Dr Udbhav Ojha joined financial technology services provider firm FNZ where he worked as a senior analyst developer in the software development team.
The Alumni Business Scholarship enabled Udbhav to develop skills in business accounting and finance that he planned to incorporate in his work from a fintech product development standpoint.
Postgraduate Certificate, Business (Professional) (Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington)
2022: Udbhav is currently senior developer at Adminis, where he contributes to design and implementation, overarching technology, and building the team.
Davoud Zare
Dr Davoud Zare completed his PhD at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington with former MacDiarmid Institute Investigator Professor Kate McGrath. He had previously worked as a research scientist/engineer at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North and says he could see a need for innovation in today’s business environment. The Alumni Business Scholarship enabled him to learn more about how to commercialise academic knowledge.
Davoud will use his scholarship to further develop his managerial abilities and business acumen, to unify it with his existing scientific skillset.
Master of Business Development: Designing for Sustainability, Business (University of Auckland)
2022: Davoud is currently senior research scientist/ engineer and sustainability advocate at Fonterra and the key contact for a research collaboration with the MacDiarmid Institute.
My whole passion is getting research to where people can use it. That’s the whole point.
Dr Matthew Cowan MacDiarmid Institute Associate Investigator 2017 Business Scholarship recipient
2021 Business Scholarship recipients
Maryam Shojaei
Dr Maryam Shojaei completed her PhD in chemical and process engineering at the University of Canterbury, under the supervision of Principal Investigator Associate Professor Aaron Marshall, and then focussed her research on developing advanced electrodes for flow batteries.
Maryam’s interests lie in the intersection between science and industry. The Alumni Business Scholarship helped her develop the skills required to take her science into the commercial space.
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (University of Canterbury)
2022: Maryam currently works in the three waters area at Christchurch City Council as a water engineer/project manager. She spoke at our Techweek 2022 event in Christchurch and at our Regional Lecture Series 2022 in Nelson.
Samuel Martin Treceño
Dr Samuel Martin Treceño completed his PhD at the University of Canterbury in chemical and process engineering, supervised by Principal Investigator Associate Professor Aaron Marshall, and began work as a policy advisor at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). He says the scholarship will help build his business acumen and lead strategic conversations in the policy space.
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (Professional) (Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington)
2022: Samuel is currently a senior analyst at Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service.
My ultimate goal is to lead deep tech ventures to create the next New Zealand unicorn.
Dr Farzana Fadakar 2022 Business Scholarship recipient
2022 Business Scholarship recipients
Vipin Kumar
Dr Vipin Kumar completed his PhD in inorganic chemistry at the University of Auckland with Associate Investigator Dr Erin Leitao. Vipin now works as a development chemist at Hexion Inc. With this scholarship, Vipin intends to develop a practical and theoretical understanding of business management/ development. He says this along with his scientific skillset will help him to develop and commercialise novel and innovative products.
Postgraduate Diploma in Business (University of Auckland)
Farzana Fadakar
Dr Farzana Fadakar completed her PhD in applied physics and engineering at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington with Emeritus Investigator Professor Bob Buckley. Having worked as a scientist at Measurement Standards Laboratory (MSL), as an R&D advisor for the RDTI scheme, and as an investment manager at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Farzana has extensive experience and knowledge of the New Zealand science innovation ecosystem. She says she will use this scholarship to sharpen her technical and commercial leadership skills, build partnerships, and learn about market and business trends.
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (Professional) (Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington)
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