Our People
Catherine Nicholson
Kia ora, I am a Senior Materials Scientist at BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand). Much of my work at BRANZ over the past 10 years has involved assessing the long-term performance and durability of new materials and building components that may have had only limited use in Aotearoa. As we continue to see and experience the effects of extreme weather, my research has more recently switched to focus on building resilience to minimise the risks associated with natural hazards and climate change.
Outside of work, I am a keen horse rider and keep 4 horses on my lifestyle block in Upper Hutt, north of Wellington. And as a mum to 11- and 13-year-old boys, life is never dull!
I have been involved with NZIC for 25 years now, serving as Editor of Chemistry in New Zealand for the past 12 years. I really enjoy this role because it keeps me connected to the wider chemistry community and lets me dive into fascinating topics well beyond my own field of research. It also means that I can give back in a small way, support fellow scientists and help showcase the amazing mahi happening across Aotearoa. Overall, it’s genuinely fun to be part of something that aims to promote good science and thoughtful communication.