Professor Cather Simpson, a physics and chemistry professor at the University of Auckland, wants to spark further innovation in our universities to boost economic benefit. As the director of the Photon Factory, she runs a high-tech laser lab which uses exotic pulsed lasers to help scientists from all realms and levels achieve their goals - whether to improve products in industry or even assist a science fair project.

Currently, her lab is studying anything from how molecules light into more useful forms of energy, to how to better sort sperm by sex for industry.

When she’s not enjoying using lasers to solve the knotty problems presented by Mother Nature, she’s doing puzzles with her partner Tom and being taxi-mom to two engaging teenage boys.

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