Welcome to the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology & Evolution
The Allan Wilson Centre advances knowledge of the evolution and ecology of New Zealand and Pacific plant and animal life, and human history in the Pacific. We are a network of 100 researchers at seven institutions, committed to securing the future of New Zealand’s biodiversity and improving human and environmental health.
How did the evolutionary trajectory unfold in New Zealand’s unique conditions? Why are plants and animals so different here? What can the diversity and history of life in New Zealand tell the world about evolutionary processes generally? And how did humans arrive in New Zealand, learn to thrive here, and create conditions for our future? We use forefront tools in genomics and biomathematics to answer these questions and uncover our history.
The Allan Wilson Centre is named after Allan Wilson (1934 - 1991), whose Out of Africa hypothesis - that all human beings share a common female ancestor only 10,000 generations ago - awed and excited both scientists and the public. 
A Great New Zealand Scientist is Lost
On behalf of the Board and all members of the Allan Wilson Centre, I note the death, after a long and public battle with cancer, of Professor Sir Paul Callaghan. Tributes are deservedly flowing from around the world for Sir Paul, whose scientific reputation arose from his work in nuclear magnetic resonance but who was best known to the New Zealand public for his committed work as an inspirational missionary for all science and its significance to the future of New Zealand.
Sir Paul played a critical role in establishing the Centres of Research Excellence model in New Zealand as the Founding Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. He used the platform of Director to advocate for collaborative approaches to acquiring new knowledge and using it for national benefit. He was a long-time friend and supporter of the Allan Wilson Centre.
Sir Paul chose to spend his academic career in New Zealand, and he was closely affiliated with Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington. On behalf of the Centre, I offer condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. We will miss Sir Paul deeply in coming years.
Charles Daugherty
Director
Details of Paul’s life can be found on the following websites of organisations to whom Paul was closely affiliated:
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/newspubs/news/ViewNews.aspx?id=4931&newslabel=hn
http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/2012/03/24/callaghan-2/
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