The Liggins Institute

13/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr Anja Bronnert, who successfully defended her doctoral thesis, ‘Determining Vitamin Status in Preterm Infants’, earlier this year. Anja's final thesis was accepted, and she’s now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Liggins Institute. Well done, Anja! 🙌

12/10/2026

Business of Tech: Inside Auckland University, the innovation engine

New Zealand wants more from its science system: more startups, more export revenue and more high-paying jobs. But in the rush to commercialise research, are we putting the discoveries that fuel future breakthroughs at risk?

That tension sits at the heart of the latest episode of The Business of Tech, featuring Professor Frank Bloomfield, the University of Auckland’s deputy vice-chancellor of research and innovation.

With around 39,000 full-time equivalent students supported and $1.63 billion in revenue last year, the university is NZ’s largest and a formidable hub of researchers, specialist facilities, and emerging talent. Bloomfield, a respected neonatologist, researcher, and former director of the Liggin’s Institute, argues that its role extends far beyond teaching students and publishing academic papers.

A modern university should also be a talent engine, an innovation partner, and an active contributor to the surrounding economy.

Hear more in this free podcast article on BusinessDesk.

New Zealand wants more from its science system: more startups, more export revenue and more high-paying jobs. But in the rush to commercialise research, are we...

28/09/2026

A well-deserved recognition for someone who has been at the heart of clinical research at Liggins for more than 20 years.

Congratulations to Research Nurse Team Lead Janene McMillan, who will receive a Sustaining Research Excellence Award at the University of Auckland’s 2026 Te Rau Hiringa Research Excellence Awards next month.

Janene has played a key role in the growth of our Clinical Research Unit from a small two-bed facility to a modern research unit supporting a broad range of studies.

Her role extends across clinical operations, participant care, study delivery, staff training, mentoring and research support. The nomination highlighted not only Janene's technical expertise and institutional knowledge, but also her commitment to creating a positive experience for research participants and their whānau.

Congratulations, Janene!

A long-serving clinical research leader and the Animal Welfare Group will receive Te Rau Hiringa awards at a ceremony next month.

24/09/2026

We’re delighted to share this wonderful story featuring two whānau involved in our research at Liggins. Tui and her daughter Whaiāipo are part of our newborn genomics programme focused on rare diseases, and Claire and her twin boys Harrison and Austen are taking part in some of our clinical trials for preterm babies. We’re telling their stories as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, and our campaign to raise funds for future ambitious research aimed at improving health outcomes for all.

Video celebrating 25 years of groundbreaking research at the Liggin...

23/09/2026

Liggins Professors Katie Groom and Wayne Cutfield had a great chat with Tova O'Brien yesterday morning on TVNZ Breakfast (link in the comments) to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We've just launched a fundraising campaign to accelerate a new generation of health breakthroughs, building on 25 years of research that has transformed the lives of millions of babies and families worldwide. Wayne talks about his group's research on the gut microbiome, and Katie discusses preterm birth care across Aotearoa and the work of the Carosika Collaborative.

22/09/2026

A great morning at Liggins today as we celebrated two of our latest graduates, Jason Thekkanal and Yi Han, who have both completed their MBiotech.

It was lovely to mark the occasion with Jason and Yi, along with their supervisors Dr Chris Pook and Dr Yue Wang, and to have Institute Director Professor Justin O'Sullivan there to congratulate them.

Congratulations Jason and Yi, and thanks for all your hard work and contribution to Liggins. We wish you both all the best for what comes next!

16/09/2026

Congratulations to Briar Hunter, who did a brilliant job of defending her PhD thesis, ‘Informing the development, implementation and assessment of the impact of a national best practice guide for equity in preterm birth in Aotearoa New Zealand’, last month. The external examiner noted her ‘outstanding performance’, and she was awarded her PhD without corrections. Well done, Briar! 🙌

📷 Briar Hunter competing in the University 3MT competition finals 2024.

15/09/2026

The Liggins Institute has launched a $25 million fundraising campaign to accelerate a new generation of health breakthroughs, building on 25 years of research that has transformed the lives of millions of babies and families worldwide.

‘In our hands: A healthy start for a healthy life’ will support six ambitious ‘moonshots’: ensuring healthy beginnings for every family; delivering personalised nutrition for babies born too soon; giving every child a path to treatment; developing new “living medicines”; nurturing tomorrow’s clinician scientists; and building the digital future of healthcare.

Liggins Institute director Professor Justin O’Sullivan says the campaign builds on a legacy of scientists, clinicians, patients, families, communities and donors working together. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/09/05/liggins-institute-campaign-25million.html

14/09/2026

Congratulations to Jillian Hildreth on a successful PhD oral examination earlier this year. Jillian’s thesis, titled 'EARLY INFLUENCES, LIFELONG IMPACTS: Public engagement with DOHaD concepts in Aotearoa New Zealand ', was described by the examiners as "scholarship that is influential in the field and will be impactful well into the future". The examiners recommended that Jillian's degree be awarded subject only to minor corrections. She has now submitted and had her final thesis accepted. Well done, Jillian! 🙌

14/09/2026

25 years of helping preterm babies: 'There's a lot of opportunities to do things that matter'

A study looking at the early brain development of babies born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation has found a third of participants showed abnormalities on their MRI.

Every year about 4500 babies are born prematurely in New Zealand and those rates have been rising.

Preterm babies - those born before the 37-week mark - can have life-long health challenges.

For 25 years The Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau has worked to improve the long-term health outcomes of these babies.

The Moderate-to-Late Preterm Babies Early Brain Development (MOPeD) study is just one of many running through the Liggins.

Rachel Koenen, 35, and her 2-year-old son Oren are participants in the study, which involves an early MRI scan and developmental progess check-ins.

She said it was a no-brainer for her to want to take part.

Read the full story on the RNZ website. 👇

A study looking at the early brain development of babies born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation has found a third of participants showed abnormalities on their MRI.