The MRI technique advances coming out of the Mātai Medical Research Institute in Gisborne have been described as ‘pioneering’, ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘world leading’. Claire Concannon speaks to chief executive and research director Dr Samantha Holdsworth to learn why, and about their big plans for the future.

Guests:

• Dr Samantha Holdsworth, research director and chief executive of Mātai Medical Research Institute
• Taylor Emsden, MRI technologist at Mātai Medical Research Institute

Learn more:

• Read the article that accompanies this episode.
• One of the studies underway at Mātai looks at how brains and hearts are damaged by meth use, and also how they can recover.
• One of the pilot research projects that Mātai hosted involved investigating muscle development in children with cerebral palsy.
• The Mātai concussion study involves teen rugby players, learn more about other research on this issue from the University of Canterbury.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details