Dr Lesley Rhodes, of Nelson, CNZM, for services to science and marine farming
Dr Rhodes is a Senior Scientist with the Cawthron Institute. She initiated and led the ‘Safe New Zealand seafood for global consumers’ research programme and established the Institute’s culture collection of microalgae. These programmes have revolutionised the management of marine algal blooms and biotoxins in shellfish internationally and ensured New Zealand’s seafood exports meet international food safety standards. Dr Rhodes pioneered molecular techniques for monitoring phytoplankton that distinguish toxic and non-toxic species, helping marine farmers make informed risk assessments. She and her team developed robust chemical analysis methods, which have eliminated the use of live mice in testing shellfish toxin in New Zealand and beyond. Dr Rhodes co-established the original Nelson’s Women in Science network. She has been involved with Nelson Rape Crisis and fostered two brothers for a decade.