Megan Grainger

I am an an analytical chemist with a strong background in developing new instrument methods for analysis of various compounds. My main research themes are bees and bee products (honey, pollen, propolis), elemental analysis and food. My research is often industry based to help New Zealand companies solve problems. I have a long-held interest in the mānuka honey field, and my contributions to the industry include the isolation of the unique antibacterial factor, creating a prediction model for its formation and investigating why mānuka honey fails tests required for export. I also research other NZ native honeys. My current research on bees focuses on the effect that heavy metals have on the bee brain.
Prior to working in academia, I worked in a commercial lab in a variety of roles (Technologist, Team Leader and Operations Manager).