Dr Siouxsie Wiles is an award-winning scientist and the 2021 New Zealander of the Year. She heads up the Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland where she and her team make bacteria glow in the dark to understand how infectious microbes make us sick and to find new antibiotics.

Siouxsie is also passionate about demystifying science and has won numerous prizes for her efforts, including the Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize in 2013. In 2017 she published her first book, ‘Antibiotic resistance: the end of modern medicine?’ and in 2019 was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to microbiology and science communication.

During COVID-19 Siouxsie joined forces with Spinoff cartoonist Toby Morris to make the science of the pandemic clear and understandable. Releasing their work under a Creative Commons licence, their graphics have been seen by millions and even used by governments and organisations as part of their official pandemic communications.

Julie Baker started her career as a mechanical engineer and moved into the education sector when having young children meant being at home during school holidays made sense.

She has taught physics, science and technology education in the secondary sector. She moved onto a lecturing role and put her Master of Management degree to work in management positions within the University of Auckland.

She has held a variety of roles in the commercial sector including account management and student management information systems.

Her current position as Education Manager at MOTAT is a happy blend of her previous roles in engineering, education and technology.

The driving force behind Samsung Solve for Tomorrow in New Zealand, Simon Smith is thrilled to bring the competition to Aotearoa and is looking forward to seeing what innovative STEAM ideas Kiwi kids dream up to help solves issues in their local communities.

Simon joined Samsung in 2019 and has held a variety of communications roles in the US, UK and New Zealand working with some of the world’s biggest brands.