Current Award Winners

Dr Lisa Pilkington is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland and a Principal Investigator for Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence. Holding both a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Auckland and an MSc in Applied Statistics from the University of Oxford, Dr Pilkington is a passionate and motivated research chemist with a particular focus on chemometrics/chemical data science. This includes both the development and application of methods, tools and techniques for analysis, and the use of analytical and statistical methods to answer chemical questions. Dr Pilkington’s research applies these principles to a range of areas spanning Medicinal/Forensic, Agricultural/Food, and Biological applications. She has been the recipient of eight named fellowships and leads numerous other research grants. Her research, particularly on wastewater-based epidemiology, has also been featured in mainstream media. Dr Pilkington is passionate about supporting other early career researchers, mentoring them through applications for funds and fellowships, and through organisation of a variety of different events on topics related to developing an independent research career.