Meri Kirihimete | Merry Christmas |
As 2023 draws to a close, we have much to reflect on and to celebrate. This year brought many exciting achievements and new discoveries that we look forward to sharing. However, we also mourn the loss of two cherished members of our whānau – Tuta Ngarimu and Alison Barclay. Their passing leaves an immense void, but their spirits live on through their lasting impact and in our memories. In the general updates, we share a chart of the impact to date, thanks to support of all those who have contributed. We are also proud to announce that the Mātai clinical services that started earlier this year are fully operational, and the team recently had its first cardiac imaging case through this month. Congratulations to many of the Mātai whānau, including Taylor Emsden, Dr Matthew McDonald, Professor Justin Fernandez, Professor Brett Cowan, and Sir Professor Richard Faull for a range of achievements noted further down.
We also congratulate Dr Hamid Abbasi from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and CEO of Neurofanos, who was awarded $1M in funding from the Endeavour 'Smart Ideas' Fund to further develop technology around smarter brain surgery using artificial intelligence. Mātai is a collaborator on the project.
In research, we are excited to share what may be the first glimpse of a concussion, using new technology developed at Mātai, with our collaborators, and much more.
We welcome new team members: Dr Soroush Safaei, Dr Mark Bydder, Dr Loxlan Kasa, and Mandy Mee; and Stanford visiting scholar Itamar Terem.
The team has been involved in many events recently, including the Mātai Image of the Future Inaugural Symposium in Gisborne, the Poverty Bay A&P Show, a Hawke's Bay Friends of Mātai event, and in launch of the Medical Imaging Research Centre (MIRC) at the University of Auckland. Donation from NZFSH. We would like to thank the wonderful committee and members of the NZ Federation of Spiritual Healers, who recently closed, and made a generous donation to Mātai. They also very kindly sponsored a fully equipped ambulance to the Tairāwhiti region through their closing distributions.
We sincerely thank everyone for your support and encouragement throughout our journey, including our collaborators; our Gisborne Tairāwhiti community; those who support us and participate in our research; and to our funders big and small. The Mātai team also extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who supported the Mātai Tairāwhiti Relief Fund (MTRF). Your commitment played a crucial role in aiding the recovery efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle. A report will be available in the coming year, to update you on how your support has assisted those in our community, following the aftermath of the cyclone.
The team at Mātai would like to wish you and your team a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Wishing you joy, peace, and prosperity during this festive season. Sincerely The Mātai Team |
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Tuta was a key figure in the community and the methamphetamine recovery project: he was a shining light for many in their darkest moments, known for his compassion and dedication to positive change. He carved a niche as an advocate for drug addiction services – championing better access to health services, addressing gambling addiction, promoting suicide awareness, dealing with housing issues, and striving to curb violence in the region. |
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Alison (left), a beloved teacher and musician, supported our education programmes, leaves a lasting legacy through her contributions to advancing educational opportunities, particularly for Gisborne Girls' High School students through the QUEST Trust. |
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Thank you again to all those who have supported our journey, including our major supporters, our community, and all who contributed donations. We share with you below a brief snapshot of our impact to date. |
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The local Poverty Bay A&P show enables the team to reach out to the community and showcase a range of fun science activities and to share updates on the work we are doing. A huge thanks to all those involved, including the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland Anatomy & Medical Imaging, Manaaki Moves, Turanga Health, P-Pull, the Centre for Brain Research, Manaaki Manawa, House of Science, Tōnui Collab, and Alzheimer's Gisborne. See highlights.
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Some of the best scientific minds from New Zealand and overseas took part in the two-day Mātai symposium last month. Over 46 scientific and community talks were presented, with the goal of sharing knowledge to accelerate innovations that improve quality of life. This included talks around the role that MRI and bioengineering plays in early detection and diagnosis of health conditions.
Mātai Ngā Māngai Māori Board member, Kaumatua Taina Ngarimu and Davidson Taylor opened the event with a mihi whakatau which included an outstanding kapahaka performance by Wainui Beach School. We also had wonderful speakers from the community including George Reedy, who spoke on the future of Māori health; Reweti Ropiha, who provided insights into the work Turanga Health is doing to overcome Covid 19 and cyclone challenges; Oka Sanerivi, on novel Pacific Health models; and Krissy Mackintosh who talked about work Hear4U is doing around suicide prevention.
The scientists, many of whom are leaders in their field, spoke about topics including innovations in brain research, ADHD, dementia, concussion, language and the brain, guided brain surgery, Parkinson's disease, brain injury, heart & musculoskeletal research, unlocking the potential of medical tech, cancer therapy, the eye as a biomarker for health, Transmagnetic Stimulation (TMS) for brain rehabilitation, digital human twins, and prostate cancer. A special thanks to our overseas speakers Professor Terry Peters, Associate Professor Jerome Maller, Professor Katie McMahon, Professor Hesam Jahanian, Dr Gary Cowin, and Dr Azadeh Yadun.
Jacqueline Kennedy, Ellyssa Lim, and Tessa Newman were winners of the high-school Mātai-Kānoa Science & Technology e-poster competition, awarded by Shannon Williams, Kānoa Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. Missed the event?
See the full scope of visiting and talks on the Event Agenda
Many of the talks are available on video at: www.youtube.com/@Mātaimedicalresearchinstitute
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Turanga Health, GE Healthcare, the Royal Society Te Apārangi Marsden Fund, New Zealand Health Research Council, the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, and the Holdsworth Family Sunrise Fund. |
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| Friends of Mātai Hawke's Bay Event |
A big thank you to Bettina Driscoll and her incredible network of family and friends who organised a Mātai speaking event at the Tribune in Hawkes Bay. Dr Samantha Holdsworth gave a glimpse into several cutting-edge research areas; Mātai research fellow Dr Josh McGeown discussed concussion research, and how discoveries from this work could help identify solutions to make sports safer, and help understand how people recover after a concussion; and Dr Daniel Cornfeld (Mātai clinical lead) shared insights on advanced MRI techniques for improved prostate cancer diagnosis. Our sincere thanks to so many of Hawke's Bay wonderful organisations for their generous support of this event.
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Launch of MIRC at the University of Auckland |
Mātai COO Leigh Potter and Mātai Community Liaison Dr Patrick McHugh were thrilled to take part in the launch of the Medical Imaging Research Centre (MIRC) at the University of Auckland. The Center is dedicated to improve health outcomes for patients through world-class research in medical imaging, driving researcher development, innovation, and excellence in the field. Mātai is excited to strengthen and build new collaborations with MIRC.
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Mātai Summer Research Internships |
This year Matai has welcomed 24 local students for the summer internship and cadet programme. The programme provides a hands-on learning experience for a group of talented youth every summer. Working across a diverse range of studies, each of the students gain proficiency in producing and working with MRI data, and experience the dynamic environment of medical research, scientific learning, leadership, Matauranga Māori, and community engagement. Our sincere thanks to the sponsors: The Hugh Green Foundation, Te Puna Kōkiri, Turanga Health, QUEST Trust, Vision Research Foundation, Trust Tairāwhiti, the University of Auckland, the Royal Society Te Apārangi Marsden Foundation, and the New Zealand Health Research Council. A special thanks to Te Pukenga, Eastland Institute of Technology, for the generous use of their space, and to the significant in-kind contribution to the programme from several of New Zealand's academic organisations. Image: Liam Clayton, The Gisborne Herald
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Mātai Undergraduate Scholarships |
Congratulations to 11 Mātai scholarship winners for 2023 which include Tairāwhiti Gisborne locals Maia Ferguson (Medical Imaging Technology), Yuna Preddy (Biomedical Sciences), Sophie Petro (Engineering), Matthew Sung (Health & Medical Sciences), Harry Naske (Computer Engineering), Brayden Maxwell (Physiotherapy/Sports Science), Luke Stoltenberg (Engineering), Petiata Bowden (Health & Medical Sciences/Radiology), Alani McLeod (Engineering), Brooke Brown (Health & Medical Sciences), and Ella Arthur (Health & Medical Sciences).
Our thanks go out to Turanga Health, QUEST Trust, Pultron Composites, and the Holdsworth Family Trust for supporting the Mātai undergraduate scholarships. We are grateful to our scholarship panel members Reweti Ropiha, Ingrid Collins, Chris Williams, and Dame Bronwen Holdsworth. |
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| Mandy Mee
Philanthropy Director |
We welcome Mandy Mee, who brings almost 20 years of fundraising expertise to Mātai. Her experience has been developed in health and conservation, working on projects with Cure Kids, Auckland Zoo, The Sir Peter Blake Trust (BLAKE), Rotoroa Island, and most recently the HomeGround project at the Auckland City Mission. We are delighted to have Mandy on board! |
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Dr Loxan Kasa
Research Fellow |
Dr Loxlan Kasa has a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in physics from the University of Papua New Guinea, and a Master's in Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. He completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering Sciences at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, which applied advanced MRI modeling techniques to quantify brain microstructure in patients with neuropathological disease. He has experience in advanced computational neuroimaging pipeline development, machine learning, image processing and analysis including connectomics, and sophisticated cortical dynamics. Loxlan is is supported by the Vision Research Foundation and the Rapanui Trust, and will be working with Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer, Associate Professor Samantha Holdsworth, Dr Jesse Gale, and Dr Graham Wilson and others in the Mātai team to explore the role of dynamic movement of the eye in various eye diseases. The studies that Loxlan is working on uses a new brain imaging technique (amplified MRI), which allows magnification of the microscopic movement of the eye.
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Dr Soroush Safaei Senior Research Fellow |
Dr Soroush Safaei recently joined Mātai as a Senior Research Fellow to lead the Digital Twin Dementia Study in collaboration with the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the neurodegenerative disease and inform early treatment and lifestyle changes. He will also contribute to joint Mātai-University of Auckland projects by developing computational models linking MRI data to diagnostic index for intracranial pressure. Soroush is currently a Senior Principal Scientist and a member of the Model-Informed Drug Discovery and Development team at Sanofi, specialised in developing mechanistic computational models for biologics that enable effective evaluation and decision-making in pharmaceutical R&D. Soroush's role is funded by a Royal Society Te Apārangi Marsden Foundation and Health Research Council Grant led by Dr Samantha Holdsworth, Dr Gonzalo Maso Talou, and Dr Sarah-Jane Guild.
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Dr Mark Bydder Honorary Senior Research Fellow |
Dr Mark Bydder has a strong background in medical imaging and a passion for pushing the boundaries of technology. Also affiliated with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), his work involves working on groundbreaking medical imaging research projects and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Mark's research primarily revolves around the development and optimisation of advanced imaging techniques, with a particular emphasis on MRI and its applications in clinical diagnostics and neuroscience. He has made significant contributions to the field by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative methodologies to enhance image quality, accelerate imaging protocols, and improve diagnostic accuracy. Mark is currently exploring the technical developments around targeted MRI (tMRI), to better diagnose diseases in which neuroinflammation is thought to be an underlying cause.
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Welcome to Itamar Terem from Stanford University. Former research assistant of Dr Samantha Holdsworth while based at Stanford, and mastermind of 3D phase-based amplified MRI (aMRI), Itamar is working at Mātai for two months on testing whether amplified MRI could be a helpful biomarker for concussion. Itamar will also be implementing an image processing pipeline for a new method to quantify brain motion (called quantitative aMRI) for several of Mātai's research applications, includiung the concussion, brain pressure, exercise, and eye disease projects.
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Mātai Research Fellow, Dr Josh McGeown, was invited to present at the New Zealand Rugby Medical Meeting Day on November 14th. Josh presented the preliminary findings and future directions of the Mātai Rugby Study to the team of doctors that support the NZ Super Rugby franchises, NZ Sevens, Black Ferns, and All Blacks. The project was well received by the doctors who expressed enthusiasm about the potential to enhance player welfare in the future. |
A Eureka Moment – making the invisible visible |
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This is possibly the world's first view of a single concussion injury using medical imaging. Using the new imaging technique (targeted MRI (tMRI)) developed by Emeritus Professor Graeme Bydder, the Mātai team, and UCSD, we may have found a way to view a concussion on the brain. The image shows what is thought to be inflammation in the brain, that directly corresponded to concussion symptoms experienced by a study participant. If we can further validate this finding, the technique could revolutionise the way we identify, track, and treat concussion.
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Top row: Standard clinical MRI. Middle row: Using the new imaging technique (targeted MRI - tMRI) developed by Emeritus Professor Graeme Bydder, the Mātai team, and UCSD, this image shows increased intensity in the white matter -- thought to be related to brain inflammation due to concussion. Bottom row: Follow-up recovery tMRI scan showing the brain recovering to baseline (black). |
First medicinal license for magic mushrooms |
The first of its kind, a cultivation licence has been granted to Rua Bioscience for research into an indigenous mushroom that is hoped to be able to help those suffering from methamphetamine addiction. The project is a collaboration with Rua Bioscience, Mātai, a network involving rongoā Māori practitioners, Rangiwaho Marae, Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Auckland and Waikato universities, Te Kotahi Research Institute, and Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research.
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Parkinson's Disease Recruitment |
The University of Otago Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research is seeking Māori and Pasifika volunteers who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease to share experiences with the disease and the impact the symptoms have had personally and on whānau. The aim of the project is to better understand of how Parkinson's affects our Māori and Pasifika communities and how we can better serve the needs of our communities. If you would like to participate or you would like further information, please contact Sydney Hynes sydneycheynne.hynes@otago.ac.nz or Megan Lupe megan.lupe@otago.ac.nz.
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Congratulations to the targeted MRI (tMRI) team for their recent short communication publication. The paper showcased a recurrent mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) using a new method called tMRI – whereby very extensive abnormalities were seen in the white matter, while no abnormality was apparent in regular clinical MRI. These changes on tMRI may be due to neuroinflammation and/or degeneration, and these findings may have may have widespread application in clinical MRI of the brain.
This work was supported by the Fred Lewis Enterprise Foundation, Hugh and Moira Green Foundation, an anonymous donor, the JN &HB Williams Foundation, Mangatawa Beale Williams Memorial Trust, and Kānoa New Zealand. We are also grateful for support from GE Healthcare and Mātai Ngā Māngai Māori.
G Newburn, J McGeown, Eryn Kwon, Maryam Tayebi, Paul Condron, Taylor Emsden, Samantha Holdsworth, Daniel Cornfeld, Graeme M Bydder. Targeted MRI (tMRI) of Small Increases in the T1 of Normal Appearing White Matter in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Using a Divided Subtracted Inversion Recovery (dSIR) Sequence. OBM Neurobiology, 2023 |
(left) Our PhD student Gina Waters (pink) had a successful visit to the Queensland Brain Institute in Australia, which is dedicated to understanding brain function. (right) Mātai intern, Jacqui Shanks, joined Tōnui Collab to help out at their inaugural Kōhine Robotics Expo 2023. Over the past 10 months, Tōnui Collab – soon to be co-located with Mātai -- have been supporting 50 Year 6 – 9 girls from kura access Te Tairāwhiti to experiment with robotics, develop confidence with technologies, learn about career pathways in tech, and hear from wāhine thriving in tech.
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State-of-the-art MRI technology to meet community imaging needs |
Mātai clinical services are now fully operational. The services are available to Tairāwhiti through ACC referrals, and insurance or private referrals. By offering clinical services, Mātai is able to provide advanced imaging to our community to enable faster, earlier and more accurate diagnoses, and provide services unavailable elsewhere in region.
Providing clinical services not only brings advanced support to our community, but also helps cover operational costs and ensure sustainability of the Mātai model and to support our ground-breaking research. We are able to provide the community with most types of MRI scans covering a range of health disorders. These include: - Cardiac/Heart MRI
- Brain
- Full body scans for myeloma and lymphoma patients
- Advanced prostate MRI for prostate cancer diagnosis
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and active surveillance of low-grade prostate cancers
- Spine MRI (all parts of the spine)
- Musculo-skeletal scans (joints and muscles)
- Breast MRI
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Liver, kidney, bowel, and gynaecology MRI including localised staging of uterine, cervical, and rectal cancers
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Taylor Emsden has completed her MRI degree. As Mātai's very first MRI trainee technician, Taylor has completed her studies, and is now a qualified MRI technologist. Her dedication, passion, and commitment to advancing medical imaging make her a standout professional in her field.
Ka rawe Taylor — congratulations on this awesome accomplishment! The future of MRI technology is brighter with individuals like Taylor leading the way. |
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Congratulations to Dr Matthew McDonald who has successfully passed his PhD thesis on "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Mild Traumatic Brain Injury" a thesis which crossed disciplines of ophthalmology, eye tracking, and medical imaging, with data acquired alongside our community at Mātai. Supervised by Prof Helen Danesh-Meyer, Dr Samantha Holdsworth, Dr Eryn Kwon, and Dr Josh McGeown, Matthew's journey to this achievement has been inspiring given how hard he worked, his determination and how much he juggled and achieved throughout his PhD journey.
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Dr Justin Fernandez from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and Mātai Principal Investigator, has been promoted to the esteemed position of Full Professor at the University of Auckland. This promotion is a testament to his outstanding contributions to his field of bioengineering. As the driving force behind the ADHD study being conducted at Mātai, Justin has demonstrated exceptional expertise, has fostered a collaborative and inspiring research environment, and has given several inspiring talks for our Gisborne Tairāwhiti community. His ability to inspire and mentor colleagues and students has had a lasting impact on those around him. We look forward to witnessing the continued advancements that Justin will undoubtedly bring to New Zealand and globally.
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We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Brett Cowan on his promotion to the position of Tumuaki | Dean of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Mātai Trustee, and formerly Chief Scientist at ESR, Brett's extensive background as an academic, research leader, and clinician positions him as a valuable asset. His commitment to Aotearoa New Zealand's health and wellbeing, coupled with an understanding of AUT's leadership role in this field, ensures a promising future for the faculty. Full link available here.
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Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull (Ngāti Rāhiri, Te Ātiawa) and Mātai Trustee, was recently bestowed a korowai and tokotoko in recognition of his exceptional contributions to neuroscience, and his efforts to bridge knowledge within Māori communities. As Director of the Centre for Brain Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, Sir Richard is a pioneering figure in neurological science and is also recognised for addressing the cultural sensitivities between Māori traditions and neurological research. For Sir Richard, this recognition surpasses any academic accolade. He describes the ceremony as "the most wonderful, special day of my life which will live on in my heart and in my whānau for ever". Full link available here.
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Chance to look into the future |
The goal of the Mātai Symposium was to share knowledge to accelerate innovations that improve quality of life and serve as a catalyst for building strong interdisciplinary networks among professionals and our community to solve problems and innovate more quickly. See the pre-event stories here and post-event stories here.
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Dr. Samantha Holdsworth discussed the innovative research at Mātai in an RNZ interview, highlighting community involvement, diverse projects, and essential funding sources. |
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Mātai Medical Research Institute - New Building Opening |
SAVE THE DATE for the building opening on the 19th April 2023. |
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We would like to acknowledge, with appreciation, our supporters who made the establishment of Mātai possible, including Kānoa - RDU, Trust Tairāwhiti, the Mangatawa Beale Williams Memorial Trust, the JN and HB Williams Foundation, the University of Auckland, GE Healthcare, Holdsworth Family Trust, Pultron Composites Limited, Hugh and Moira Green Foundation, the Lotteries Significant Projects Fund, Fred Lewis Enterprise Foundation, anonymous donor, the QUEST Trust, Turanga Health, Friends of Mātai, local iwi, and many others.
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Copyright © 2023 Mātai Medical Research Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Address: Mātai Medical Research Institute
PO Box 359 Gisborne, 4040 New Zealand |
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