Matt is a chemical engineer with expertise in materials science and chemical engineering. His research is focussed on chemical engineering applications of 3D printing, energy optimisation, decarbonisation of heavy industry, and domestic production of niche products. In the Tree Syrup Aotearoa research programme, Matt leads the team and is focussed on the predictive sap flow model.

Justin is a geospatial data specialist with expertise in forest measurement, including remote sensing and forest growth/physiology. His research is focussed on applying geospatial data, tools, and techniques to solving applied forestry problems, such as site-species matching, and species-specific responses to biotic and abiotic environmental conditions. In the Tree Syrup Aotearoa research programme, Justin leads research on plantation management, including the establishment, growth, and maintenance of native and exotic species on a variety of sites throughout New Zealand.

Qianhui Li is a PhD student (2025-2028) whose research focuses on high-value sap-producing tree species across New Zealand. Her work aims to identify the potential suitable growing regions for these species under New Zealand’s environmental conditions. She also investigates the stability of sap composition, with the goal of supporting sustainable plantation development and optimising the economic and commercial potential of tree sap resources.

Abby is a plant physiologist with expertise in plant physiological ecology and maple syrup chemistry. Her research is focused in: 1) maple tree physiology as it is impacted by production practices and natural processes and factors, 2) increasing the productivity and profitability of maple syrup production, and 3) maple syrup chemistry and flavour. In the Tree Syrup Aotearoa research programme (2021-2024), Abby contributed expertise in maple tree physiology and the physiology of stem pressure and sap flow, as well as sap collection and syrup production practices in both traditional and plantation systems. She assisted with development of the sap flow model, and management practices and tapping guidelines to ensure the long-term sustainability of maple and birch syrup production.

Mike is a plant physiologist with expertise in plant vascular transport, and carbon and water physiology. His research focusses on the vascular functioning in plants — the efficiency with which plants transport water and other nutrients is directly correlated with their productivity. In the Tree Syrup Aotearoa research programme (2021-2024), Mike led the non-imaging sap flow measurements used for model validation. He interpreted imaging results and guided sap flow model development from a plant physiology standpoint.

Daniel is a chemical engineer with expertise in a variety of imaging techniques, but particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and x-ray micro-tomography. His research uses these advanced measurement techniques to see inside chemical engineering processes and understand their operation. In the Tree Syrup Aotearoa research programme (2021-2024), Daniel led the research on MRI and advised on analyses with other imaging techniques.

Jamie's research is modelling granular flows, specifically investigating the continuum relationships that govern granular flows' unique stress and packing behaviour. In the Tree Syrup Aotearoa research project (2022-2025), Jamie worked on image analysis, using images obtained from the ANSTO synchrotron to investigate the internal structure of maple trees.

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Matt Rennie completed his PhD on this project (2022-2025). His research sought to understand the sap flow dynamics of Acer saccharum (Sugar maple) and Betula papyrifera (paper birch) with test sites across Canterbury, and the horticultural practices needed for the trees to exude sap, outside of North America. His goal was to determine the various climatic and horticultural drivers that influence sap flow and identify future areas for plantations.

Maui is an early career researcher in ethnobotany and plant biology who is interested in weaving his work within the wider hapu and iwi. Much of his research focus is to better understand the functions and uses of plants in terms of their food utility, in hopes to increase mātauranga māori. He has a BSc, Post Graduate Degree in Applied Science, Graduate Certificate in Resource Studies, and undertook Masters study on the potential for an indigenous New Zealand tree species to commercially produce edible syrup.