For Immediate release – 14/10/2025
ANZMES, Aotearoa’s National Advisory on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), is proud to announce the two recipients of our 2025 Grants & Scholarships Programme. Marking the third consecutive year of this vital initiative, the programme continues its dedicated support for groundbreaking research into ME/CFS and the overlapping challenges of Long COVID within New Zealand.
ANZMES is delighted to confirm that Dr. Natalia Boven of the COMPASS Research Centre at the University of Auckland has been awarded a $25,000 Grant as part of the 2025 funding round. This Grant will contribute towards the costs of her project, titled “Identifying child and adolescent predictors of adult ME/CFS and Long COVID,” which will use linked administrative data to explore the association between childhood health conditions – particularly those linked to dysfunctional mast cell activation (MCAS) – and the risk of developing ME/CFS and Long COVID in early adulthood. The research team at the University of Auckland includes Dr. Anna Brooks, Keith McLeod, Dr. Nick Bowden (a 2023 ANZMES grant recipient), Dr. Lisa Underwood, Dr. Nicola Gillies, and Dr. David Musson. This crucial study is intended to help reduce diagnostic delays, inform risk mitigation strategies, and contribute to understanding underlying pathophysiology.
Natalia Boven, the 2025 Grant recipient, states: “We are excited to have been awarded a research grant from ANZMES to allow us to pursue our research into ME/CFS and Long COVID.” We hope this research will help identify individuals at greater risk of developing ME/CFS and Long COVID, reduce diagnostic delays, and contribute to understanding of underlying pathophysiology. We are really grateful to ANZMES for funding this research.”
ANZMES is also pleased to announce Galina Mandich of the University of Otago as the recipient of a $10,000 research scholarship. The funding will support a 10-week summer research project, providing a $7,000 internship stipend and $3,000 for research materials and expenses. The study is titled: “Development of a genetic susceptibility test for developing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID: Has the large 2025 Decode ME GWAS study provided a key advance?”. The study, conducted alongside Emeritus Professor Warren Tate and Katie Peppercorn, will analyse blood samples in families where multiple members are impacted by ME/CFS and Long COVID. The aim is to identify common genetic markers or a ‘signature’ shared between them. This signature could be a significant step towards earlier diagnosis, treatment, and improved outcomes for those impacted by these debilitating conditions.
Galina Mandich, the 2025 Scholarship recipient, states: “It can eventually provide healthcare practitioners with an important tool to support individuals with earlier intervention and care, alongside ongoing education to raise awareness and understanding. It is a privilege to continue learning about ME/CFS/LC, and I am very grateful to ANZMES for this wonderful opportunity. As a future clinician, it is my hope that this experience will provide invaluable knowledge for me to be able to provide clinical guidance and understanding towards patients with ME/CFS/LC and their families.”
Fiona Charlton, President concludes “We are pleased to offer substantial support for researchers dedicated to advancing our understanding of ME/CFS. This is only made possible by the support of our members so we’d like to give a special Thank You to them.”