From insecticides to winemaking and support for refugees, their projects span different sectors, but one thing these young innovators have in common is a commitment to creating real world impact through their research.

“Working in the lab can feel intellectually quite exciting but it’s great to be able to look at the bigger picture. When I talk to my friends and family about what I do, the most interesting things are those that could go out into the world as a product that people can use and understand,” says Luke.

His lab mate and fellow Emerging Innovator, scientist Alistair Richardson, agrees: “A lot of the time in academia you are expanding knowledge that may, eventually, be used somewhere down the track. I prefer to work on projects where the reason why we’re doing it, and how it can be beneficial, is obvious.”

A clear research outcome is exactly what Emily’s lab offers. The lab has been working on a commercialisation strategy for their natural insecticide with Wellington UniVentures’ Senior Commercialisation Manager Matt Nicholson. Now – with a clear path to market established – Matt encouraged Luke and Alistair to undertake the EI programme in preparation for spin-out.

Both scientists are interested in entrepreneurship as a potential career path and are eager to learn more through the programme.

“It will be my first exposure to this type of thing, and I hope that whatever I learn will make me a better scientist as well as a better entrepreneur,” says Luke.

Alistair adds, “We’ve always had Matt taking care of the commercial side of things, so through this programme we’ll be much more aware of what he’s doing for us and how we can best support him.”