Auckland Scientist a Finalist for Zonta Award

Auckland Scientist a Finalist for Zonta Award

Dr Julie Lim, resident in Auckland is one of three candidates shortlisted for this year’s Zonta Science Award. Julie is a molecular biologist researching developments of medical therapies to prevent age related nuclear (ARN) cataracts.

Others shortlisted are:

• Dr Anna Hopkin, resident in Rotorua, Employed as a Research Scientist, at Scion, Rotorua, Anna’s research is centred around climate change effects of forest pathogens and to learn new diagnostic techniques of the forest pathogens in New Zealand and worldwide.

• Dr Bridget L Stocker, Wellington, synthetic organic chemist who is researching the role of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates in the immune response- immunoglycomics.

This, the eleventh Biennial Zonta Science Award, will be presented at a function at Old St Pauls, Mulgrave Street, Wellington on Tuesday 25 May 2010.

The Zonta Science Award winner receives $10,000 cash; return air travel to Europe, Asia or the USA to be used to attend a professionally related conference or places of further study and a silver and gold medal designed by well-known New Zealand sculptor Tanya Ashken.

“The Zonta Science Award is for an emerging scientist”, says Agnes Espineda, Award Convenor. “The Zonta Science Award is presented to a woman graduate with a PhD who has excelled within the fields of pure or applied science. The three finalists all have excellent research, communication and people skills, as well as being great role models for the younger women scientists of New Zealand.

The principal sponsor of the Zonta Science Award is BP Oil New Zealand Limited, with further support from the John Ilott Charitable Trust and Zonta Club of Wellington.

Julie says, "If I win this Award it will allow me to attend the International Congress of Eye Research in Montreal, Canada in July where I will present my work, engage with other vision scientists and develop and build collaborations. I will then visit the laboratory of Professor Frank Giblin, Eye Research Institute Oakland University Michigan USA, and then finally develop a hyperbaric oxygen system in our laboratory that mimics cataract development here in Auckland.”

Background
Zonta International

Zonta is an international organization of executive and professional women working together to advance the status of women worldwide. Over 31,000 members in 1,200 clubs in 67 countries volunteer their time, talents to support local and international service projects, as well as scholarship programmes aimed at fulfilling Zonta’s mission and objectives.

Zonta International, its district and its clubs are non-sectarian and non-partisan.

Zonta International's service and advocacy projects have been closely linked with the United Nations - the foremost organization in the world working for women's rights and the advancement of women - since Zonta first expressed support for the fledgling UN in 1946.

Zonta International is recognized as having general consultative status with the United Nations and participatory status with the Council of Europe. Zonta's consultative status and NGO affiliations with different UN funds and agencies include UNIFEM, UNICEF, UNFPA, ECOSOC, CSM and CEDAW.

Every year Zonta International contributes over US$1 million dollars for programs and projects that benefit thousands of women around the world. All clubs throughout the world contribute to these projects. In addition, the fund-raising activities of local clubs support local organisations.

The Zonta Club of Wellington is one of 27 clubs in New Zealand. The Zonta Science Award was initiated by the Wellington Club to fulfil one of Zonta’s main objectives, to improve the economic, legal and political status of women.

Visit our websites at www.zonta.org.nz and www.zonta.org

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