First published: 19 September 2025 by Scoop Media
“Women’s Suffrage is an important time to remember in New Zealand’s history. We have the unique privilege of being the first country that gave women the vote, thanks to Kate Sheppard and her friends who fought so hard for the right of New Zealand women to vote” said Karena Brown, Chairperson of the Kate Sheppard Memorial Trust.
“That is why the Trust chose to announce the successful recipient of the 2025 Kate Sheppard Memorial Trust Award on NZ Women’s Suffrage Day, the day we commemorate women in New Zealand getting the vote. This year’s recipient is Katherine Ellis, a 24-year-old PhD student at the University of Canterbury.”
“Katherine is an impressive young woman who completed her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering minoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Canterbury in 2022. As part of her PhD she will work to develop a hydrogel-based cellular endometriosis model that will incorporate the disease’s mechanical microenvironment as part of her 2025-2026 Science and Innovation Fulbright placement at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA.”
“Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside of the uterus. The condition is associated with a multitude of painful symptoms and there are approximately 120,000 endometriosis patients in New Zealand. It is a very under-studied condition with a lot that is unknown about it. Katherine wrote her first journal article at 20, and it was published when she was 21 during her final year of her undergraduate. This article was a literature review about endometriosis, and about the impact of ongoing underfunding for research about the condition. The article was a call to action for change, and has since been used throughout the United States of America to argue to legislatures for improved funding to tackle the condition.”
“In addition to her work with endometriosis patients and practitioners, Katherine has developed a range of laboratory skills working with endometriosis cells. Katherine has characterised the invasiveness of endometriosis cells relative to cancer cells, and developed novel cell lines. She had the privilege to spend a three-month placement working in the labs of the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia to work hands-on with ovarian endometrioma tissue samples.”
“The Trust is very pleased to be able to continue to assist talented women achieve their dreams. Increasing the knowledge and understanding of endometriosis is vital to improving the lives of the many who suffer from this disease. Therefore, the research being undertaken by this year’s recipient will be very important not only to New Zealand but to overseas as well. We are sure that Kate Sheppard would be proud to lend her name to such a worthwhile area of study.”
About Endometriosis New Zealand
Endometriosis New Zealand is the national organisation for endometriosis – dedicated to providing support, advocacy, research, information, education, and awareness on endometriosis. We are committed to improving the lives of individuals impacted by this condition and helping them find a way forward with hope and strength.
Katherine Ellis serves as the official Research Coordinator for Endometriosis New Zealand, leading the 2025–2026 Research Project in partnership with the University of Canterbury. Her leadership and dedication are instrumental in advancing this important work for the endometriosis community. The Kate Sheppard Memorial Trust Award will support Katie’s 12-month research placement at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which is funded by Fulbright New Zealand.