Food Transitions 2050 programme celebrates first graduate cohort

The Food Transitions 2050 programme has reached a milestone with the first cohort of graduands, four of whom will have their PhDs conferred at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University graduation on 9 May.

Recognising the importance of delivering world-class and innovative research to support the transition of national and international food systems to a more sustainable future, the Joint Postgraduate School: Food Transitions 2050 was established as a partnership between Canterbury-based research organisations: the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Plant & Food Research, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and AgResearch.

Lincoln University’s Director of Postgraduate Research Andrew Holyoake says the Food Transitions 2050 programme is illustrative of the University’s collaborative relationships and focus on impactful research.

“The programme supports strong alliances with Lincoln-based Crown Research Institutes and partner universities. Through the transfer of knowledge and shared infrastructure, Food Transitions 2050 is an industry-oriented research programme which aims to contribute to finding more sustainable ways of producing food.”

The programme supports PhD students to conduct cross-disciplinary research with their co-supervisors from one or both universities and at least one Crown Research Institute. The students’ research must fit within one of these themes: food and future landscapes, food for a zero-carbon future, food consumer transitions or food governance.

One of Lincoln University’s first graduates, Chrystal O’Connor, successfully defended her thesis Edible Insects, Mātauranga, Diet and Lifestage to Explore the Potential of Aotearoa New Zealand Insects as Food, in early 2025. She has since returned to Lincoln University as a Lecturer within the Māori Early Career Academic Programme.

“I like the small scale and welcoming culture at Lincoln, yet it is a well-respected university, known for agriculture and food production. I really wanted to do my PhD in both a research institute and academia and Food Transitions 2050 allowed me to do that.

“With co-supervisors from Lincoln University and AgResearch, I was exposed to different approaches to research and networking opportunities. I also appreciated being a part of a cohort of students; I have made lifelong friendships.”

The programme also opened many doors as Chrystal explains: “While studying for my PhD, I supervised summer students and attended the International Hope conference in Kyoto, Japan and Insects to Feed the World in Quebec, Canada. Through these opportunities, I realised that I love teaching and am now in a role that sees me support tauira in research at Lincoln. Going full circle, this year I am a part of the supervising team of two new Food Transitions 2050 projects.”

Congratulations to the following Lincoln University PhD graduands of the Joint Postgraduate School: Food Transitions 2050:

Chrystal Te Ohorere O’Connor: PhD - Edible insects, mātauranga, diet, and lifestage to explore the potential of Aotearoa New Zealand insects as food.

Supervisory Team: Professor Jim Morton, Mike Bowie, Dr Jessica Gathercole, Mark McNeill, Lincoln University, AgResearch.

Iresha Matiwalage: PhD - Understanding the bioaccessibility of grape phenolics in association with milk proteins.

Supervisory Team: Dr Bin Tian, Dr Leandro Dias Araujo, Dr Carolyn Lister, Dr Maneesha Mohan, Lincoln University, Plant & Food Research.

Julie Gillespie: PhD - A transdisciplinary approach to understanding the connections between soil and people, through food production.

Supervisory Team: Associate Professor Carol Smith, Dr Dyanna Jolly, Dr Sarah Edwards, Dr Jo Cavanagh, Dr Dion Payne, Lincoln University, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

Richard Morris: Graduated in 2024. PhD - Spatial AgResearchoecology: modelling multiple ecosystem services in periurban landscapes.

Supervisory Team: Professor Pablo Gregorini, Professor Nick Dickinson, Dr Shannon Davis, Professor Hirini Matunga, Dr Gwen Grelet, Lincoln University, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

Yanyu Zhang: PhD - Development of functional food with pea cooking water and the effect on human postprandial glycaemic response.

Supervisory Team: Dr Keegan Burrow, Dr Venkata Cheikani, Dr Luca Serventi, Marco Morgenstern, Dr Esther Kim, Lincoln University, Plant & Food Research.

Congratulations to the following University of Canterbury PhD graduands of the Joint Postgraduate School: Food Transitions 2050:

David Hera: PhD – Uniformity is a myth: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand Pleurotus on intraspecific variation in fungal genotypes and phenotypes.

Supervisory team: Professor Ian Dickie, Dr Manpreet Dhami, Dr Peter Buchanan, University of Canterbury, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

Max Nightingale-McMahon: PhD - Land application of winery wastewater: implications for plant growth and soil quality.

Supervisory Team: Professor Brett Robinson, Professor Tim Clough, Dr Brendon Malcolm, Dr David Whitehead, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research.

Sophie O'Brien: PhD - Spatial drivers of providing and receiving nature’s contributions to people.

Supervisory Team: Professor Jason Tylianakis, Dr Dean Anderson, Dr Sandra Lavorel, University of Canterbury, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

For media enquiries, please contact media@lincoln.ac.nz

Image caption: From left to right: Yanyu Zhang, Iresha Matiwalage, Julie Gillespie, David Hera, Sophie O’Brien, Chrystal Te Ohorere O’Connor and Max Nightingale-McMahon. Image credit: Zohar Marshall.