Metrologists at MSL

Meet some of the metrologists who work at the Measurement Standards Laboratory by selecting one of the labels for further information. These highly skilled scientists are part of the team that provides calibration services, helps with research and development and ensures that New Zealand’s units of measurement are consistent with the SI – the International System of Units.

This resource was created with the assistance of the Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand.

Background image: Kheng Ho Toh, 123RF Ltd

Transcript

Laurie Christian

Dr Laurie Christian was a Principal Research Scientist in MSL’s Electrical team. One of his research projects is in applying Josephson effect technology needed for developing MSL’s Kibble balance. He retired in December 2022 after 44 years of service.

Image: Dr Laurie Christian, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Eleanor Howick

Eleanor Howick is a Principal Research Scientist in MSL’s Length team and is an expert on laser interferometry. She has supported the development of some of the best telescope lenses in the world, and since 2016, Eleanor has been MSL’s Chief Metrologist.

Image: Eleanor Howick, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Chris Sutton

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr Chris Sutton was a leading figure in the world of metrology. In 1999, as the Director of MSL, Chris signed a global arrangement for the mutual recognition of calibration and measurement certificates issued by national metrology institutes. Before he passed away in 2018, he also designed a unique Kibble balance that could measure the kilogram in terms of Planck’s constant.

Image: Dr Chris Sutton, Industrial Research Ltd

Peter Saunders

Dr Peter Saunders is a Distinguished Scientist in MSL’s Temperature and Humidity team. His specialisation is radiation (non-contact) thermometry, and he has collaborated with the petrochemical and steel industries and those working in food processing and storage.

Image: Dr Peter Saunders, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Murray Early

Dr Murray Early is one of MSL’s electrical metrology experts, and he investigates the quantum Hall effect – a key factor in defining the ampere. He sits on a number of international committees and collaborates with researchers across the globe.

Image: Dr Murray Early, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Annette Koo

Dr Annette Koo was a Principal Research Scientist at MSL. Her expertise is in the measurement of light and human perception. Annette led the development of a unique measurement system that can optically characterise a range of novel surfaces.

In 2025 Dr Annette Koo left MSL and took up the role as Director of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) – the first woman and the first New Zealander to hold the Director role in BIPM’s 150-year history. Listen to this RNZ interview.

Image: Dr Annette Koo, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Farzana Masouleh

Farzana Masouleh was a Research Scientist at MSL. Her areas of expertise are physics, microfabrication, spectroscopy, optical characterisation and materials science.

Image: Farzana Masouleh, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Acknowledgement

This resource has been updated with the assistance of the Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand.