I obtained a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Canterbury in 2003, conducting my Honours research with Prof. Juliet Gerrard, then did my PhD with Prof. Chris Dobson in the Department of Chemistry at Cambridge University as an inaugural Woolf Fisher scholar. From 2007 until 2012, I worked as a postdoctoral research assistant in the computer-aided chemistry group of Prof. Wilfred van Gunsteren at the ETH in Zürich, Switzerland. I took up a Lectureship at Massey University in 2012, where I was also a member of the Centre for Theoretical Chemistry and Physics. I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2014 and to Associate Professor in 2017, and awarded a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship in 2015. In 2018, I moved to become an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, where I am co-Director of the Digital Life Institute. I am also an Associate Investigator with the Biomolecular Interaction Centre at the University of Canterbury, and with the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery.

Whilst growing up I was fascinated by cells! This led me to Leeds University in England where I completed a BSc (Hons). I then moved to Scotland where I studied for my MSc and PhD at the Rowett Institute (RI) in Aberdeen. During my PhD I assessed the potential of novel proteins as drug delivery agents. I continued my research at the RI for a further two years and during this period became involved in commercial research. I then relocated to New Zealand in 2003 to take up a position as a research fellow in the Human Immunology Team headed by Prof Rod Dunbar at the University of Auckland. Whilst working with Rod and his team, my main research focus was the study of immune cells called Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs).

At the beginning of 2012 I was appointed as a permanent academic in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. Since then, my research team has continued to work on how APCs stimulate appropriate immune responses and more recently have started to investigate how cells and molecular mediators influence the endothelial cell layers that line our blood vessels. I feel extremely fortunate that I get to share my enthusiasm for cell biology with our undergraduate and postgraduate students.

PhD research topic:
Characterization of genes and proteins involved in mitochondria and chloroplast biogenesis

Previous qualification:
Masters in Molecular and Cell biology (Plant molecular sciences)

Areas of Expertise:
Metabolomics, Genomics and proteomics

I am fascinated by the microbial world and the enormous impact it has on our health, environment, and everyday lives. I lead a research programme focused on understanding how microorganisms function and how we can leverage this knowledge to address some of society's biggest challenges.

 

My research has two major themes. The first focuses on antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance, where my team investigates how bacterial pathogens survive, become resistant to treatment, and can be targeted with new diagnostic, prevention, and treatment strategies. The second focuses on methane mitigation, where we study the biology of methane-producing microbes to identify new approaches for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

 

By combining biochemistry, structural biology, microbiology, and chemistry, my group seeks to answer fundamental scientific questions while developing practical solutions with real-world impact. I enjoy collaborating with researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and policymakers in New Zealand and around the world, and I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists.

 

I am always interested in hearing from students, postdoctoral researchers, and potential collaborators who share an interest in our research topics. If you are curious to learn more about our research, team, and current projects, please visit our laboratory website. 

 

Ko Putauaki te maunga
Ko Tarawera te awa
Ko Mātaatua te waka
Ko Ngāti Awa te iwi
Ko Te Tāwera te hapū
Ko Irāmoko te marae
Ko Jacqueline Beggs tōku ingoa

 

I am a Professor of Ecology in the School of Biological Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. I am an ecologist and conservation scientist committed to understanding and protecting the distinctive biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

My research examines the ecological consequences of human-driven environmental change and how ecological knowledge can support biosecurity, conservation and restoration. I am particularly known for my research on the ecology and management of invasive social wasps, which began with my PhD at the University of Otago in 1999. My work now encompasses invasive species, biosecurity surveillance, mosquito–pathogen systems, biodiversity restoration, urban and industrial ecology, sensory ecology and nature-positive approaches to environmental change.

 

I currently co-lead the ecology research within the MBIE Endeavour programme Future Urban Industry, which is investigating how urban-industrial landscapes can be transformed to deliver better ecological and social outcomes. I am also Principal Investigator of an MBIE Smart Ideas programme developing the use of mosquito blood meals as an ecological early-warning system, and Ecology Theme Co-lead for the Universitas 21 Nature Positive Initiative. I contributed to Te Mana o Rangitāhua, an Indigenous-led research programme co-led by Ngāti Kuri and Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum.

 

I am Chair of the Kākāpō Recovery Group and contribute to national science, conservation and biosecurity advisory groups. I have served on the Marsden Fund Council, including as Convener of the Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Panel. I was Co-Executive Director of Ngā Ara Whetū: Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society from 2022 to 2025 and Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity from 2013 to 2025.

Before joining the University of Auckland in 2003, I worked at Manaaki Whenua–Landcare Research and its predecessor, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in Nelson.

 

I have English, Scottish, Irish and Ngāti Awa ancestry. My research and teaching seek to bring together ecological science, mātauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori perspectives through respectful and reciprocal partnerships with mana whenua, Māori organisations, communities and other research collaborators.

 

Selected leadership, service and honours

• 2025: Appointed to the Ministry for Primary Industries Technical Advisory Group for the yellow-legged hornet response
• 2022: Ministerial appointment to the Marsden Fund Council; Convener, Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Panel
• 2019–present: Chair, Kākāpō Recovery Group, Department of Conservation
• 2019: Ministerial appointment to the Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee
• 2015: Te Tohu Taiao, New Zealand Ecological Society, recognising a sustained and distinctive contribution to invertebrate ecology in Aotearoa New Zealand, mentoring, leadership and public engagement
• 2013: Ministerial appointment to the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee
• 2010: Faculty of Science Dean’s Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
• 2007: Fulbright New Zealand Travel Award
• 2006: Ministerial appointment to the Auckland Conservation Board

 

Areas of expertise

• Ecology and management of invasive species
• Social wasp ecology and control
• Biosecurity science and ecological surveillance
• Biodiversity conservation and restoration
• Urban and industrial ecology
• Sensory ecology and artificial light at night
• Mosquito ecology and wildlife pathogens
• Nature-positive development
• Mātauranga Māori and collaborative environmental research