Grape Days Speakers

Dr Callum Eastwood, Dairy NZ

Dr Callum Eastwood is a Senior Scientist at DairyNZ who specialises in farm workplace research, including the integration of technology and practices into farm systems. His research has focused on the adoption process in areas such as farmer use of data, animal technologies, robotic milking, and pasture measurement technology. He has a PhD from the University of Melbourne, focusing on technology and innovative dairy systems, in addition to degrees from Massey University in Natural Resource Management. Callum’s scientific approach includes qualitative and quantitative social research methods and uses collaborative principles to engage with farmers and other stakeholders.

Dr Damian Martin, Bioeconomy Science Institute

Damian is the Science Group Leader, Viticulture & Oenology at Bioeconomy Science Institute. His research specialities and interests encompass eco-physiology of the grapevine and the influence of viticultural and winemaking inputs on wine quality attributes merged with the use of digital technologies in research to accelerate knowledge acquisition. I developed and managed one of NZ’s largest single vineyards Ara (now Indevin Bankhouse) and have worked in senior management, technical and operational roles for leading New Zealand wine companies Montana and Corbans. In these roles I oversaw viticulture and wine production at large scale for both ultra-premium and commercial-grade wines.

Dr Amber Parker, Lincoln University

Amber is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Centre for Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University, New Zealand. She completed her PhD at Lincoln University in collaboration with Bordeaux Sciences Agro-ISVV-Ecophysiology and Functional Genomics of Grapevines, France. From there, she worked as a scientist in grapevine modelling at Plant & Food Research, then started at Lincoln University in 2015. Her research focuses on understanding environmental drivers of phenology, investigating the impacts of effects of source-sink modifications of the grapevine on phenology and asynchrony of fruit composition, and understanding impacts and adaptations for viticulture in the context of climate change. She enjoys working with the wine industry on research projects to help solve key issues and to develop new ideas and solutions for future sustainable grape and wine production, particularly in the context of global climate change.

Dr Leandro Dias Araujo, Lincoln University

Leandro is a Brazilian food-engineer-turned-wine chemist. After completing his PhD in chemistry at the University of Auckland, he joined Lincoln University and is now a wine chemistry senior lecturer. His research centres on elemental sulfur and its impact on wine quality – from volatile thiol formation in Sauvignon Blanc to sulfur residues in Pinot Noir. Other research areas include phenolic and aroma chemistry, grape-waste valorisation, advanced analytical techniques, and sensory evaluation. Leandro currently leads a Bragato Research Institute-funded study exploring the persistence of elemental sulfur in Pinot Noir grapes.

Dr Cen Liau, Bragato Research Institute

Cen joined BRI's Grapevine Improvement team in November 2022, as Postdoctoral Scientist – Grapevine Epigenomics. Cen primarily works on the Tuned Vines project to study epigenetics of grapevine in different climates or in response to stress. Originally from Indonesia, Cen completed her PhD in human genetics at the University of Otago – Christchurch in 2020, focusing on the application of novel genomic technologies and bioinformatics. She has molecular genetics background from her previous roles in molecular diagnostic and clinical genetic laboratories.

Prof Bruno Fedrizzi, University of Auckland

Bruno is an Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry, Food and Wine Chemistry at the University of Auckland. He has obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD at the University of Padova (Italy) and has had research and work experiences in Italy, France, Australia and New Zealand.  

Dr Annabel Whibley, Bragato Research Institute

Annabel is a Bioinformatician in BRI's Grapevine Improvement team. Her role explores genomic datasets to glean insights into grapevine biology. Annabel completed her PhD in plant molecular genetics at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. Since then, she has applied genomics technologies to questions in clinical research, evolution and conservation. As a bioinformatician at BRI, she is characterising genetic and epigenetic diversity in new and existing grapevines to develop more resilient plants for the future. Annabel also holds an Honorary Academic position in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland.

Dr Paul Epee, Bragato Research Institute

Paul has a PhD in Agronomy and Viticulture from Lincoln University. His research characterised and quantified the pruning decisions made by an expert human pruner, which in turn will be used to train Artificial intelligence (AI) systems in cane pruning, thus contributing to alleviating manual labour in vineyards. His research also investigated the effect of changing node loads on the grapevine vegetative and reproductive growth. Paul holds a master’s degree in Agronomy from the University of Queensland (Australia) as well as a bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Agronomy from his home country, Cameroon. He has over a decade of experience in agriculture advising and research management in a range of crops including banana, barley and grapevine. 

Dr Stewart Field, NMIT

Stewart developed an early interest in plants, leading him to pursue degrees in Plant Science, including a doctorate in viticulture. His academic journey included studies in New Zealand, USA, Australia, and Canada, focusing on grapevine physiology. After working in the industry in Wairarapa and Hunter Valley, Stewart returned to academia in 2014, first as a lecturer at Eastern Institute of Technology and then at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology from 2018. His research emphasises irrigation, nutrition management, and plant hormones, aiming to inspire future viticulture students in New Zealand’s wine industry.