Dr. Tanushree (Tanu) B. Gupta, a leading researcher at AgResearch, has been recognized for her pioneering work in reducing the incidence of facial eczema (FE) in livestock—a disease that can significantly impact animal health and farm productivity. FE, which is most prevalent in warm, humid weather, can cause severe liver injury, photosensitization, and in some cases, death in affected animals.
Dr. Gupta, alongside her team in the Plant and Endophyte Technologies and Infectious Diseases divisions at AgResearch, is focused on addressing the fungal causes of FE. Their current research centers on developing an antifungal product aimed at reducing the germination of fungal spores in pastures. The team is creating a safe, eco-friendly biomolecule as the active ingredient in this product, which will be applied through spraying on pastures rather than directly on animals. The water-soluble compound allows for easy and cost-effective application.
In addition to its potential to combat FE in livestock, Dr. Gupta believes her research could have broader applications, particularly in agriculture. She envisions the development of natural fungicides to protect crops, and the broader use of biopesticides in place of traditional chemical pesticides. “The continued exploration of natural biomolecules offers significant potential to address global challenges in health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability,” she explained. “These biomolecules, once fully developed, could serve as highly effective alternatives to conventional pest management solutions.”
Dr. Gupta was recently selected as the sole New Zealand representative in the 2024 AgriFutures GrowAG Catalyst Programme, a prestigious initiative aimed at empowering female leaders in agriculture and technology. The program provides participants with invaluable insights into the commercial aspects of research and innovation, equipping them with the tools to advance their work to the next stage.
Through the program, Dr. Gupta had the opportunity to refine her skills in pitching her research to investors and stakeholders. “It was a highly demanding experience, requiring me to craft my own pitch, modulate my voice, and clarify my ideas,” she said. “We received weekly training from mentors on how to communicate effectively with both scientific and non-scientific audiences, including media professionals.”
The program culminated in a pitch event in Sydney, where Dr. Gupta presented her research to over 150 attendees. As a result of her participation, she now has access to personalized networking and support through growAG, which is helping promote her commercialisation efforts to potential investors and industry partners.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to have been selected for this programme and deeply grateful to my team and the AgResearch Commercialisation Team,” Dr. Gupta said. “We’re working towards getting our antifungal solution to market and providing farmers with a safe, natural option to combat facial eczema.”
AgResearch is also involved in the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts initiative, a collaborative project funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and other industry stakeholders. This program aims to further address the issue of FE and improve the health and productivity of livestock in New Zealand.
With the support of AgResearch and the Catalyst Programme, Dr. Gupta’s groundbreaking work continues to advance, offering promising solutions to the agricultural sector and beyond.
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