Massey professor among Australasia’s top four biotechnologists in ranking

23 October 2025 - Biotechnology is gaining strong momentum in New Zealand, thanks to the research work of a Massey University Professor.

The recently appointed Riddet-BSI-AgResearch Chair in Alternative Proteins, Professor Munish Puri has been ranked in the top four in biotechnology research in Australasia, according to the latest academic rankings published by Stanford University in California and academic publisher Elsevier. Stanford and Elsevier released their annual list of the top 2 per cent most influential scientists in the world this month.

Professor Puri is also a Principal Investigator and co-lead of the research team from the Bioeconomy Science Institute/AgResearch (BSI) that secured NZ$10.4 million from the government’s MBIE Endeavour Fund in September.

See more here: Bioeconomy Science Institute led research secures over $20 million to transform New Zealand’s bioeconomy - AgResearch

The research programme will use precision fermentation to convert pine forestry residues into high-value proteins.

This is the first year he has been employed in New Zealand after moving to his current position earlier this year from Flinders University in Adelaide.

Professor Puri holds a PhD in Industrial Biotechnology and is a pioneer in alternative proteins, precision fermentation, and cellular agriculture. He specialises in bioprocessing which uses natural occurring microbes or genetically engineered microbes to create novel high-value nutraceutical products, bioactive compounds and pharmaceuticals for food, biofuel and medical applications.

Professor Puri says his mission is to innovate and shape the future of the global food industry.

“We are strengthening our biotechnology credentials in New Zealand and contributing to the Riddet Institute’s forward-thinking approach to food research.”

Riddet Institute Acting Director, Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan says it is critical for New Zealand’s future that we build capability in disruptive technologies like biotechnology.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Professor Puri’s calibre as part of our team leading cutting-edge work in an area of science that has the potential to revolutionise agriculture and food production.”

The Riddet Institute is a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), hosted by Massey University, focusing on human nutrition and food research, and AgResearch is a Crown Research Institute specialising in the pastoral and agritechnology sectors now forming part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute.