Success for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington at Wellington Gold Awards
Scientists from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Paihau—Robinson Research Institute (RRI), alongside designers from Te Kura Hoahoa—the School of Design Innovation, won the Innovation Gold award for their world-first portable MRI scanner.
The category is awarded to significant research and development projects, and was presented to Ben Parkinson from RRI and Dr Edgar Rodríguez from the School of Design Innovation for their innovative design.
“Current MRI technology requires patients to lie down in a fully-enclosed tube to receive a scan,” says Mr Parkinson. “These machines can be very loud and claustrophobic for patients, who often feel a lack of control over their experiences.”
Mr Parkinson developed a superconducting MRI magnet that would support a more portable design, working alongside international researchers from Harvard, Yale, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Sao Paulo.
“We came up with a way to make clinical quality head imaging MRI systems much more compact, which will help improve the accessibility and availability of MRI.”
Mr Parkinson says in New Zealand the portable scanner could be taken to remote areas such as on the west coast or the far north, where there is limited access to MRI.
“However, we didn’t just want to focus on the MRI technology itself, we wanted to make sure the patient experience was improved too.”
Dr Edgar Rodríguez and his team from the School of Design Innovation took the superconducting magnet design developed at RRI and built it into an MRI system to create a better patient experience.
“We investigated how patients and clinicians would interact with this technology and then designed physical interfaces—everything from a seat to controls—to create a more comfortable patient experience,” Dr Rodríguez says.
Professor Robyn Phipps, Dean of Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa—Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, says the award recognises the importance of the work, and the talent of the Te Herenga Waka community.
“I am delighted at both their achievement and seeing them get the recognition they deserve—it is a huge leap forward in both science and design, and will hopefully lead to significantly better healthcare.”
The University is also proud to have sponsored the New Thinking Gold award for 2023, presented to Frances Shoemack from Abel Fragrances. Frances’ company blends art with science and is making waves worldwide with its 100% natural perfume.
Professor Rawinia Higgins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Engagement) at the University, says Frances' creation truly encapsulates the spirit of this award.
“At Te Herenga Waka, we recognise the importance of fresh young energy, innovative thinking, and vibrant ideas for our economy and community, and congratulate Frances on her success.”
Awards director John Dow said the awards are an opportunity to profile and celebrate the resilience and achievements of local organisations and stakeholders, as well as the individuals in the community.
The Gold Awards cover the Wellington region including: Wairarapa, Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and Wellington City, with Horowhenua also joining for the first time.