Programme Overview

Draft programme coming soon.

Please note that in the interest of sustainability, we will not be printing the ASM Handbook this year. A link to the handbook will be emailed to you prior to the ASM. It will also be available on the conference app.

Keynote speakers

Kylie Price

Chief Technology Officer, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

Kylie Price is the Chief Technology Officer at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research with 20 years’ experience providing strategic, scientific, and operational direction in multidisciplinary environments. Kylie has strong stakeholder management and engagement skills and has attracted more than $35m of philanthropic funding over the past 13 years, developing the largest and most technologically advanced Shared Resource Laboratory in Aotearoa, New Zealand, the Hugh Green Technology Centre.  This is a state-of-the-art, one-stop shop technology centre for the deep understanding of biological systems from the micro- to the macro-level. As CTO Kylie ensures scientists across New Zealand access to some of the most world-leading technology platforms (including full spectrum flow cytometry, histology, bioimaging, data science, genomics and mRNA for pre-clinical vaccine development) to advance their research goals.

Kylie played a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of a ground-breaking $69.5 million national RNA development platform.  She has a strong leadership track-record, organising high-profile networking events, such as CYTOAsia Singapore 2017, and directing international organisations, such as the Australasian Cytometry Society of which she is former President (2015-2016).  Kylie is a two-time NZ Woman of Influence Awards (2014 and 2018) finalist and finalist of the 2021 NZ High Tech Awards.  She was the first New Zealander elected to the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) Council (2018-2020) and served as Chair of the Governance Committee and Secretary of ISAC for four years (2020-2024).  Kylie was selected to join the NZ OnBoard Program in April 2023, enhancing her governance and strategic planning skills and she currently serves as a board observer for Orbis Diagnostics and a member of the Advisory Group of Advemto.

Dai Henwood

Dai Henwood is one of New Zealand’s most beloved comedians. His stand up comedy resulted in international touring, sell out seasons at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and being invited to perform at renowned events such as Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. Among many, he has won The Billy T Award, The Fred Award (twice), the NZCG Best Male Comedian and the Rielly Comedy Award.

A music fanatic, Dai spent 10 years on radio before beginning his TV career, where he started out on C4 cult favourites Insert Video Here and Roll the Dai. Since then, Dai has hosted a number of popular shows such as Family Feud, Dancing with the Stars and Lego Masters. He is also known as a staple favourite on 7 Days. Dai is constantly rallying the New Zealand nation with support and joy, most notably appreciated during the COVID-19 Lockdown when he launched the comedy show Dai ’s House party, aiming to help the public keep amused and bring laughter into their homes. He also supports and has affiliations with Starship Children’s Hospital and Hello Sunday Morning

With 25 years in the comedy industry and 3 years living with stage 4 cancer Dai Henwood has gone to hell and back. Hell turned out to be a good teacher. Along with the highs of his careers came some spectacular lows, a re-invention of himself and the creation of a work ethic that has lead him to be one of New Zealand’s most loved entertainers.

Dai moved from finding happiness in a bottle of beer, to being sober after spending time at a Japanese temple where he was reinvigorated to create a meaningful life in the present moment. Along came 2020. A lockdown and a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Six major surgeries, 14 rounds of chemotherapy and heaps of radiation hasn’t knocked back his will to succeed and live a happy life, it only made it stronger.