2024 Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize Winner
Congratulations to Year 13 student Rena Misra, recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize. Her award-winning project explored how fungi-augmented plants can remove heavy metals like copper and zinc from Aotearoa’s waterways—a low-cost, sustainable approach to reducing stormwater contamination.
Rena shared her work on TVNZ’s Breakfast and acknowledged the support of The Royal Society Te Apārangi, Mrs Ghanim, and Mrs McNaughton.
Official Video
To find out more about Rena's project watch the Official Video.
Interview on RNZ – Our Changing World Podcast
Rena was interviewed by Claire Concannon of RNZ about her project. You can listen here (her segment runs from 19:36 to 26:10).
Media Coverage
Two articles from the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes website that go into more detail about the project and the award:
- Student’s Winning Solution to Remove Pollutants from Stormwater with Plants
- 2024 Winner of Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Ānamata – The Future Scientist Prize
Photos courtesy of Rebecca McMillan Photography
