Public Understanding of Science
It is the responsibility of scientists to contribute to the public's understanding of science. This is important not only because our work is generally funded in one way or another by the public but also because misinformation and disinformation pose as science, potentially destroying the public faith in what we do. Since starting work in New Zealand I have engaged in popular media and regional lectures to draw attention to an array of subjects. My favorite topics however are related to my passion for the evolution of bacteria: "peak antibiotics", the human microbiome and issues related to horizontal gene transfer and of course bacteriophages. I am active on social media (X and Bsky as DrHHNZ.
Interviews, public lectures, commentaries
- Recent and Select Public Science Engagement:
2024, Feb 8th, Ministry of Primary Industries Science Seminars “Toward Safe and Natural Biocontrol Against Pathogens in our Primary Industries, a Test Case in New Zealand Apiculture, Charles Fergusson Building, Wellington, NZ.
2024, Feb 3rd, “Friendly Viruses to Protect Our Bees and the Future.” Christchurch Hobbyist Beekeepers Day Out, Christchurch.
2023, Feb 3rd, Commentary, Patrick Dawkins, Apiarists Advocate article “AFB Vaccine but not for NZ”. Apiarist's Advocate
2022, Oct 18th, Interviewed by Taylor Houston, Apiarists Advocate article “AFB Survey for ABAtE project and soil collection for the summer”. Apriarist's Advocate
2022, October, Interview Emily Ansell, MetroNews, NZ Broadcasting School “The Union vs UC”.
2022, April 1st, Interview Patrick Dawkins for Apiarists Advocate article “Phage Research into AFB Prevent Gets Funding Boost”. Apiarist's Advocate
2022, April 1st, Interview Patrick Dawkins for Apiarists Advocate article “AFB Elimination and the Tools at Hand”. Apiarist's Advocate
2022, Mar 7th, Comment on paper with Tina Sahey for ScienceNews.org “Some E. coli set off viral grenades inside nearby bacteria.” Science News
2021, Oct 7th, Interview with Ken Brown, Auckland Beekeepers video intro, “Bacteriophages for Healthy Bees”. Auckland Beekeeper Club Intro
2021, Jul 10th, Tauranga Local Paper, Quoted by Megan Wilson “World of Microbes Revealed”, World of Science Launch.
2021, Apr 6th, SAFE Podcast Kōrero. Animal Matters Interview with William Appelbe “Antibiotic Resistance” Animal Matters
2021, Mar 13th, “Funding Science: our insurance policy for navigating the 21st century.” Commentary for Jenny Nicholls article, Stuff.co.nz Funding Science
2020, Oct 1, ABAtE project highlighted in book: Lester, Phil. 2020. HEALTHY BEE, SICK BEE: The Influence of Parasites, Pathogens, Predators and Pesticides on Honey Bees. VICTORIA University Press. Pgs 126-127.
2020, Sep 05, “One year update from the ABAtE project” Article by Patrick Dawkins, The Apiarists Advocate.
2020, Aug, 1 “Viruses to protect honeybees from AFB: ABAtE project update” Dr Heather Hendrickson, Senior Lecturer Massey University Albany. Beekeeper NZ Magazine article.
2020, May, 18 “What is the virus becomes endemic and the world’s stuck with it for good?” Interview with Eugene Bingham and Adam Dudding for CoronavirusNZ by Stuff.co.nz Coronavirus NZ
2020, Mar, 27 “Coronavirus: Can alcohol-free sanitisers work against SARS-CoV-2?” Consulted Dan Satherley of Newshub. Newshub
2020, Mar, 26 “Know your enemy: Remind us, what exactly is the coronavirus?” Interview with Eugene Bingham and Adam Dudding for CoronavirusNZ by Stuff.co.nz. Stuff
2020, Mar, 13 “Prominent Scientist fights to save ‘crucial’ courses from Massey cuts.” Interview with Jamie Morton, NZ Herald. NZ Herald
2019, Dec, 22 “Increased sales of critically important antibiotics to farmers.” Interview with Esther Taunton for Stuff NZ. StuffNZ
2019, Nov, 14 “Mycobacterium vaccae; Gardening and the “Old Friends” hypothesis”. Interview with Jo McCarroll for GardeningNZ podcast, ‘Get Growing with NZ Gardener". GardeningNZ
2019, Oct 14, “When two became one; studying the evolutionary partnership that led to complex life.”, Hendrickson lab Marsden featured in an article in Marsden Fund Update 2018, Issue 45.
2019, Sept 10, “The Biggest Questions of All”, Panel discussion led by Kim Hill, Vice Chancellor’s Lecture Series, Auckland University, RNZ Broadcast, Dec 16 2019 on RNZ. "Experts in astrobiology and microbial evolution discuss the origin of life with Kim Hill."
2019, Sept 01 “Going on a Phage Hunt” Article by Patrick Dawkins, Apiarist’s Advocate, Issue 2, Sept 2019 Apiarists Advocate
2019, April 20th, “Superbugs vs Superdrugs”, Long read by Donna Chisholm, North & South Magazine, NZ.
2019, April 9th, “Drug-resistant Candida auris – Expert Reaction.” SMC comments. Science Media Centre Scoop
2018, Dec 16th, “Kiwi unravelling the mysteries of complex life.” Interview for article about Marsden funding, by Jamie Morton, NZ Herald. NZ Herald
2018, Oct 17th, “New Gene Technology and Ethical Minefield” interview for article, by Sasha Borissenko of NewsRoom NewsRoom
2018, Oct 10th “Utopian or Dystopian: CRISPR Post-Nature” a panel discussion hosted by Russell Brown including Peter Fineran, Tim Dare and Maui Hudson. Hosted by the Auckland Museum. Auckland Museum
2018, Oct 3rd, “Don’t be scared: the scientists calling for genetic modification in New Zealand”, Don Rowe article on-line, The Spinoff
2018, July 3rd, “New gene transfer rules could help prevent spread of antibiotic resistance”, Invited Science Perspective for The Conversation, Editor Veronica Meduna, The Conversation
2018, Total Care Health Services, Mar 7th “The Rise of the Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria.” , ACC Community Nursing Education Department, Mount Eden, Auckland, NZ
2017, Fascination Science, Feb 28th, “Antibiotic resistance: how did this happen and what will we do next?” Public lecture series, Massey University, Auckland, NZ
2017, August 23rd, “Experts say cleaning underwear in a hotel kettle is ‘super super super super gross’ so maybe don’t do it K thnx” Gizmodo article by Rae Johnston The Telegraph
Travel@60 NZ Herald AsiaOne Reader’s Digest Cosmo UK TheGAYUK The Matador BravoTV2017, July 24th, “Double dipping is OK –sometimes” Stuff Article by Janan Jay Stuff
2017, July, 10th, “Aussie doctors are seriously over prescribing antibiotics, study claims” Buzzfeed News article by Gina Rushton BuzzFeed
2017, July, 14th, “We’ve reached Peak Antibiotics” Interviewed for article by Naomi Arnold, NewsRoom. https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/07/13/38536/kiwis-pioneer-fight-against-superbugs
2017, June 7th, “Gonorrhoea drug resistance a ‘hair’s breadth’ away. Interview about research article. B=NZ Herald
2017, March 20th, “Are viruses mass murderers or trainable ninjas?” Long format, live broadcast Interview for Podcast Launch with Michelle Dickinson and and Dai Henwood, Stupid Questions For Scientists. Stupid Questions for Scientists
2017, February 27, “WHO announces new list of most dangerous antibiotic resistant pathogens”, Erin Speedy Interview for hourly news bulletins Radio Live and The AM Show.
2017, February 22, “Antibiotic Resistance, microscopic ninjas to the rescue”, Massey News Video
2017, February 17, “Massey Microbiologist explains all you need to know on bacteria and antibiotics”, Amy Baker Article, North Harbour News
2016, TedX Taurganga, August 20th, “Bacteriophages: Nature’s Ninjas in the Battle Against Superbugs.” ASB Arena, Mount Maunganui, NZ. Link: TedX Tauranga
2015, September 1st, Antibiotic Resistance, SCI21 talk recorded at AUT. Link: Antibiotic Resistance
2016, March, TV Guide magazine April 2-8, featured in article about “Peak Antibiotics” (Octopus Films) article by Kerry Harvey “Global Warning”. Peak Antibiotics (SMC)
2016, March, North & South magazine, quoted on CRISPR technology for Nerd Nation article by Jenny Nicholls. “This is a game changer”.
2015, November 29th, FutureNZ Massey University, “The Future of Medicine is Inside Your Body”
2015, October 12th, Royal Society Rotorua Branch Guest Lecture, “Microbial Melee, Superbugs vs. Bacteriophages”. SCION Campus, Rotorua, NZ.
2014, August 9th, The Naked Scientists Live, Interview with Dr Chris Smith of Cambridge University and This Way Up’s Simon Morton. This live audience interview broadcast for BBC Radio 5 and Radio New Zealand. ‘Bacterial phages.’: http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/the-naked-scientists-live/ ( HH at minute 21:00)
Select Broadcast Television
2016, October 17th, “Science may combat asthma” Paul Henry Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show, "Science may combat asthma"
2016, July 11th, Mark Sainsbury Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show, “Emotions linked to gut bacteria”
2016, April 18th “Antibiotics Everywhere and the coming crisis” Paul Henry Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show
2015, January 16th “Artificial Intelligence Has a Mind of Its Own” Paul Henry Interview, Tv3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show, http://www.newshub.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/artificial-intelligence-has-a-mind-of-its-own-
2015, November 23rd “ Jurassic Park is Getting Closer to Reality” Paul Henry Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show, http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/jurasic-park-is-getting-closer-to-reality
2015, October, 14th “Bitter Tasting foods and Psychopathy.” Aziz AlSaafin Interview, TV3, http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/what-your-coffee-preference-says-about-you- >
2015, October, 5th “The Power of Pausing.” Paul Henry Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show, http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/the-power-of-pausing-
2015, August 24th “Me, myself and us: my microbiome and me”. Paul Henry Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show,http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/are-you-really-human-
2015, August 3rd “5 Second Rule Debunked” Paul Henry Interview, TV3 & Radio Live, Paul Henry Show http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-The-five-second-rule
2015, February 11th "Why scientists back the use of 1080 poison" Sacha McNeil, Michael Wilson, TV3, First Line, http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/why-scientists-back-the-use-of-1080-poison-
2015, February 11th "Relationship Science in time for Valentine's Day" Sacha McNeil, Michael Wilson, TV3, First Line, http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/relationship-science-in-time-for-valentines-day
2014, December 17th “2014’s Biggests Science Breakthroughs” Sacha McNeil, Michael Wilson and Steve Pointing, TV3, First Line, http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/2014s-biggest-science-breakthroughs
2014, December 10th “Bacteria finding baffles scientists” Sacha McNeil and Michael Wilson interview, TV3, First Line, http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/bacteria-finding-baffles-scientists
2014, October 29th “Chocolate, the key to a good memory? Forget it.” Sacha McNeil and Michael Wilson interview, TV3, First Line, http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/bacteria-finding-baffles-scientists
Online Science Engagement:
Twitter account: DrHHNZ, focus on news and science
Science Blog for news and microbiology:
This Microbial Life : because you are made of small stuff
Class Blog for Phage Hunt students:
