Our people
Associate Professor Anna Garden
Principal Investigator
- Phone:
- +64 3 479 7928
Address:
Department of Chemistry
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin 9054
Biography
Dr Anna Garden is Deputy Director for Outreach and Education and an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago. She was previously a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Iceland in the group of Associate Professor Egill Skúlason and Professor Hannes Jónsson and prior to that completed her PhD at the University of Otago under the supervision of Professor Henrik Kjaergaard (now at the University of Copenhagen).
Research interests
Anna's research interests are focussed on using a computational approach to investigate catalysis of small molecule reactions on both extended and nanoparticle catalysts.
She is interested in understanding how the underlying physical and electronic structure of existing materials govern their catalytic properties. She is also interested in using this information to develop alternative catalysts for existing processes that may allow for more environmentally friendly production.
She uses both quantum mechanical and empirical methods in her research.
We can develop alternative catalysts for existing processes that may allow for more environmentally friendly production.
Associate Professor Anna Garden
In the news
Annual Report
2023 Regional Lecture Series - Annual Report 2023
April 14, 2024
Sustainability has been a theme throughout our Regional Lectures Series, and this year we focused on tangible sustainability tech.
Read more about 2023 Regional Lecture Series - Annual Report 2023
Annual Report
New Deputy Directors - Annual Report 2023
April 13, 2024
We have appointed two new Deputy Directors - for Outreach and Education, and for Commercialisation and Industry Engagement.
Annual Report
MacDiarmid Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships - Annual Report 2023
April 13, 2024
We welcome Dr Caitlin Casey-Stevens, Dr Amy Yewdall, and Dr Bicheng Zhu with Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Read more about MacDiarmid Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships - Annual Report 2023
Annual Report
Catalysts for positive change - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
Our researchers are on the hunt to find new materials and technologies that can help reduce greenhouse gases.
Read more about Catalysts for positive change - Annual Report 2023
Annual Report
Board Chair’s report - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
I continue to be amazed and inspired as I look across the breadth of mahi undertaken by the Institute.
Annual Report
Co-Directors’ Report - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
2023 was a year full of activity, and we are pleased to share this report on the Institute's progress.
News Article
We welcome two new Deputy Directors
July 3, 2023
We welcome Associate Professors Anna Garden and Natalie Plank as our new Deputy Directors, and bid farewell from our directorship team to Professor Paul Kruger and Associate Professor Geoff Willmott.
Annual Report
Science for a sustainable future
May 27, 2022
The 2021 Regional Lecture Series was able to go ahead in-person this year, with the theme of Science for a Sustainable Future.
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2021
May 9, 2022
This provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators in 2021.
Annual Report
Producing technology-critical materials for a low-emission future
May 5, 2022
MacDiarmid Institute scientists try to tip the carbon balance in NZ’s favour.
Read more about Producing technology-critical materials for a low-emission future
News Article
MacDiarmid Institute researchers awarded three NZ Institute Chemistry awards
October 15, 2021
Three MacDiarmid Institute affiliated researchers were awarded prizes from the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC).
Read more about MacDiarmid Institute researchers awarded three NZ Institute Chemistry awards
Annual Report
The quest to unlock the green hydrogen revolution
March 30, 2021
Virtually emissions-free energy - using electrolysers to split water (H₂O) and using the resulting H₂ to power fuel cells.
Read more about The quest to unlock the green hydrogen revolution
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2020
March 24, 2021
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2020. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
News Article
Liquid metals that create nanostructure - it’s the little details that count
March 8, 2021
PhD candidate and MacDiarmid Institute researcher Stephanie Lambie from successfully kick-started a new collaboration with FLEET.
Read more about Liquid metals that create nanostructure - it’s the little details that count
Annual Report
How can materials science offer a greener future for our planet? - Annual Report 2019
May 28, 2020
In 2019, we focused our annual regional showcase on 'NZ Innovation for Sustainability.'
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2019
May 26, 2020
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2019. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2019
May 26, 2020
This article from our 2019 Annual Report provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators over the past year.
Annual Report
Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2019
May 25, 2020
In partnership with the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI), we held Kōrero sessions teaching nanoscience to early childhood and primary teachers.
Read more about Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2019
In The Media
Converting nitrates: science’s alternative solution for clean drinking water
June 20, 2019
Associate Investigator Dr Anna Garden may be the scientist to solve the nitrate problem in Canterbury's municipal water supplies.
Read more about Converting nitrates: science’s alternative solution for clean drinking water
Annual Report
Virtual materials - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Our researchers use computers to reproduce conditions unachievable in a lab, such as the magnetic forces inside a white dwarf star.
Annual Report
Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Kōrero sessions were again held around the country – with two sessions held in each of three centres (Auckland 120 attendees, Wellington 32, Christchurch 49).
Read more about Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2018
Events
NZ Innovation for Sustainability - Gore (14 October)
September 18, 2019
Come and hear MacDiarmid Institute scientists talk about how materials science is offering a greener future for our planet.
Read more NZ Innovation for Sustainability - Gore (14 October)
Science for a Sustainable Future - Wanaka (12 November)
November 4, 2021
Assoc Prof Carla Meledandri and Dr Anna Garden talk about the new research programmes, our Institute, and what the start of the new contract means for us.
Read more Science for a Sustainable Future - Wanaka (12 November)
Good news for a change: Sustainability Tech in Aotearoa New Zealand and the science behind it - Wanaka (11 August)
July 11, 2023
Join us in Wanaka for our annual Regional Lecture Series, where Associate Professor Anna Garden and Dr Emilia Nowak will talk about things happening within the sustainability tech ecosystem.
Podcasts
Element of the Week - Hydrogen (H)
July 30, 2019
Associate Investigator Dr Anna Garden introduces the element Hydrogen on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week segment.
Materials: Fact of Fiction - The Force
May 14, 2021
Geoffrey Weal, PhD student at the University of Otago gives us his scientific take on The Force From Star Wars.
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