Events
A Morning at Mātai
- 19 January 2025
- 466 Childers Road, Gisborne, New Zealand
- 10:30am - 12pm
Haere mai e te whānau!
In collaboration with Turanga Health and Tōnui Collab, join us for A Morning at Mātai where you can meet our staff and interns, tour our MRI facilities, explore our current research, visit Tōnui Collab, share your feedback, and enjoy some kai, coffee, and entertainment.
The Miracle of Vision
- 25 October 2024
- 466 Childers Road, Gisborne, New Zealand
Learn how advanced imaging and research are enhancing our understanding of eye health.
On October 25, Mātai will present talks highlighting innovative eye research from a distinguished team of eye experts and researchers working on studies across various areas of eye health.
Learn how advanced imaging and research are enhancing our understanding of eye health, and see how the latest developments in eye research can provide insights into the future of treatment.
The Miracle of Vision
Dr Graham Wilson will explore the extraordinary complexity and wonder of human vision, highlighting how our eyes and brain work in harmony to create the vivid, detailed world we perceive. Through scientific insights, he reveals what makes vision one of nature’s most remarkable miracles.
Stress and Deformation of the Eye, Orbit, and Optic Nerve
Dr Jesse Gale will discuss the critical role mechanical stress (physical pressure) plays in optic nerve diseases and how these innovative tests may unlock new insights into eye health.
Radiogenomics – The Future of Precision Medicine in Age-Related Eye Disease
Dr William Schierding will talk about how he uses radiogenomics (the incorporation of genetics and brain imaging) in precision medicine. The next generation of clinical test will identify those with the highest disease risk by bringing together a comprehensive picture of you: clinical data (such as eye and MRI exams), genetic and family history, and personal risk factors (like age and diet). This approach will identify early markers of the pathological development of eye diseases like glaucoma, paving the way for personalised treatments.
Advanced MRI Techniques for Glaucoma Research
Dr. Loxlan Kasa will present his current research at Mātai, which involves quantifying the visual pathway in glaucoma patients using advanced diffusion MRI models and developing automated approaches to study the role of dynamic eye movement in various diseases, particularly glaucoma.
Image by Dr Loxlan Kasa: Our brain consists of approximately 86 billion neurons. Thanks to advanced MRI technology and sophisticated mathematical and computational methods, we can now model and isolate the groups of neurons responsible for vision, allowing us to study them in unprecedented detail. One major visual pathway, known as the Optic Radiation, transfers information from the eye to the visual cortex—the part of the brain at the back that processes visual signals. This pathway is highlighted in pink after extraction.
Mātai Building Opening
- 19 April 2024
- 466 Childers Road, Gisborne, New Zealand
A heartfelt thank you from the Mātai whānau!
It is with immense gratitude that we extend our thanks to everyone who has been part of our journey, contributing to the realisation of our new Mātai building and campus.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all our donors, organisations, contractors, and in-kind supporters who have played a role in making our dream a reality.
Thank you once again for your incredible support and belief in our vision.
Image of the Future
- 23 & 24 November 2023
- War Memorial Theatre, Gisborne, NZ
“A privillege for region that Mātai has established here…What an incredibly informative and inspirational symposium” N Miller in Gisborne Herald, Letter to the Editor.
Some of the best scientific minds from New Zealand and overseas took part in the two-day Mātai symposium with the goal to share knowledge to accelerate innovations that improve quality of life, and to share with the community an update on outcomes of current Mātai research and future vision. This included discussions around the role that MRI and bioengineering plays in early detection and diagnosis of health conditions.
The Mātai team, interns and national and international speakers, presented over 46 science and community talks at the Mātai Image of the Future event.
Mātai Ngā Māngai Māori Board member, Kaumatua Taina Ngarimu opened the event with a mihi whakatau which included an outstanding kapahaka performance by Wainui Beach School. Pictured here with Mātai Kaiārahi Tikanga (cultural advisor), Davidson Taylor; and Wainui Beach School. We also had wonderful speakers from the community, Mr George Reedy, who spoke on the future of Māori health; Reweti Ropiha, provided insights into the work Turanga Health is doing to overcome Covid 19 and cyclone challenges; Mr Oka Sanerivi about novel Pacific Health models; and Krissy Mackintosh talked about the Hear4U work around suicide prevention.
The scientists, many of whom are leaders in their field, spoke about topics such as ADHD, concussion, Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, heart research, and health models for Pacific people.
Jacqueline Kennedy, Ellyssa Lim, Tessa Newman were winners of the high-school Mātai-Kānoa Science & Technology e-poster competition, awarded by Shannon Williams, Kānoa Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.
Missed the event? Many of the talks are available on video at: www.youtube.com/@Mātaimedicalresearchinstitute
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Turanga Health, GE Healthcare, the Marsden Fund, HRC, the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, and the Holdsworth Family Sunrise Fund.
