Scientific & Technological Advances 6-week Course

Dr Lynley Crawford is a passionate advocate for sustainable innovation in the plastics industry, bringing both technical expertise and a forward-thinking perspective to one of today’s most important environmental conversations. With a background in science and application development, Lynley has built her career around understanding how plastics can be used more responsibly—balancing their undeniable benefits with the need for smarter, more sustainable solutions.

A natural communicator, Lynley is driven by a desire to shift perceptions and spark meaningful change. While she is currently expanding her commercial and business skillset to take a more holistic approach to industry challenges, her technical roots remain at the heart of everything she does. Known for her energy and enthusiasm, Lynley is committed to engaging others in conversations that inspire progress—because, as she puts it, “you can take the girl out of technical, but you can’t take the technical out of the girl.”

SESSION ABSTRACT: Myth Busting Plastics - Unsure what to believe when it comes to plastics? Are they really bad for our health? Explore some of the science behind them and understand why plastics are not as evil as some would have you to believe. Some of the common myths we will look at: baby bottles shouldn't be made of plastic. Plastics can't be put in the microwave. Microplastics are in our brain.

John Humphrey has spent more than 30 years working at the forefront of telecommunications, with a particular focus on space and satellite technologies. He is fascinated by the intersection of emerging technology and real-world market needs, and has built a career helping bridge the gap between innovation and practical application across New Zealand and internationally.

As the leader of Apogee Networks, John has worked closely with government and global partners, including contributing to New Zealand’s filings with the International Telecommunication Union. His experience spans a wide range of organisations and ventures in the satellite and connectivity space, and he continues to be involved in new technology start-ups shaping the future of communication. Based on the Tāwharanui Peninsula, John combines global industry insight with a grounded, local perspective.

SESSION ABSTRACT: Space and Satellite Technology: Where We Are Now - and What Comes Next - In this session, John Humphrey provides a clear and accessible review of the current state of the space and satellite industry - both in New Zealand and globally. Looking ahead, John explores what the future may hold in this rapidly developing field, and how these advancements could shape the way we live, work, and connect. From everyday communication to the experiences of future generations, this session offers a thoughtful perspective on how developments in space technology may increasingly influence our lives and those of our children.

Husain Al-Badry is a technology innovation leader, startup advisor, and AI specialist with over 20 years of experience driving large-scale digital transformation and SaaS platform delivery. He is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Seen Ventures, where he focuses on helping organisations unlock value through applied AI and emerging technologies. Husain also serves as Chief Technology Officer at Aegros AI, a healthtech startup leveraging advanced simulations to improve clinical education and patient outcomes.

A Harvard Business School alumnus, Husain previously spent two decades at Datacom, rising to the position of Associate Director of Innovation and Growth. He is a recognised voice in New Zealand’s AI ecosystem, frequently speaking on practical AI applications, innovation strategy, and startup growth. Alongside his commercial work, he contributes to the community through board roles, mentorship, and initiatives that support founders and underrepresented groups, bringing a purpose-driven and people-first perspective to technology and leadership.

SESSION ABSTRACT: Demystifying AI and giving people control - How do we breakdown our understanding of AI so we can understand what it can do, where are its boundaries, and how we can stay in control, in an age where increasingly, the AI companies want control of us!

Stephen has spent much of his career at the forefront of technology, cybersecurity, and digital innovation, helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex technological world.

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Stephen has worked with leading global technology companies including Hewlett Packard and a number of pioneering cloud and cybersecurity organisations. His experience spans everything from technology governance and automation through to cybersecurity, cloud computing, and emerging technologies.

Stephen is passionate about helping people understand how technology is shaping our lives and what the future may hold. Combining deep expertise with a practical, down-to-earth approach, he enjoys making complex ideas accessible to audiences of all backgrounds.

SESSION ABSTRACT: AI, Scams & Cybercrime: Staying Safe in a World of Intelligent Threats - From AI-generated scams and phishing attacks to deepfakes and online fraud, artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cyber threat landscape. Drawing on his experience as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Stephen Phillips explores how AI is being used by criminals, what risks we should be aware of, and the practical steps we can take to protect ourselves in an increasingly digital world.

Dr. Garkavenko holds PhD in Biochemistry, Oncology and has been actively involved in ground breaking cell therapy and xenotransplantation in New Zealand for more than 25 years. Currently she is a Chief Scientific Officer in NZeno ltd based in Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Garkavenko is an expert in xenotransplantation, cell biology and microbiological safety regulatory affair.

SESSION ABSTRACT: What is Xenotransplantation and How Close Are We to Clinical Reality? - Xenotransplantation—the use of animal cells, tissues, or organs to treat human disease—has long been considered one of medicine's most ambitious goals. Recent scientific advances have brought this field closer than ever to becoming a clinical reality.

In this session, Dr. Garkavenko explains the science behind xenotransplantation, the progress made over the past two decades, and the regulatory, ethical, and biological challenges that must still be overcome. Discover how this emerging technology could help address the global shortage of donor organs and reshape the future of transplantation medicine.

Dr Revel Drummond is a Senior Scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI). Beginning his career there in 2005 he has worked mostly on plant developmental biology and some of the mechanisms that shape plant architecture. The goal in this work is to create new plant shapes that lead to greater product quality and yield with less inputs. Revel’s core methods in this pursuit are the tools of molecular biology and genetic engineering. After he created NZ’s first gene edited flowering plant in 2015 the BSI has continued to use gene editing extensively across many research groups.

These genetic tools require careful consideration before they are applied outside of the laboratory. To better understand the place of his work in broader society Revel was a Fellow at the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor where he worked to understand the public policy and regulatory implications of the use of genetic technologies here in NZ and globally.

SESSION ABSTRACT: Biotechnology, Actually, Is All Around Us - Biotechnology is often thought of as something futuristic, yet it is already part of our everyday lives—from bread, cheese and medicines to the crops we grow and the products we use. This session explores how biotechnology has evolved from traditional practices to modern genetic modification and gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR, and how these advances are helping address challenges including food security, sustainability, climate adaptation and human health. We'll also examine the growing range of genetically modified and gene-edited products around the world, the changing regulatory landscape in New Zealand, and what these developments may mean for the future. Biotechnology isn't a distant possibility - it is already all around us and increasingly shaping the world we live in.