Five University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka academics have been honoured with four major awards for their research in Indigenous law, genetics, diabetes, and falls prevention.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru (Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui), of the Faculty of Law, received the Royal Society Te Apārangi Humanities Aronui Medal for her work on how colonial legal systems should recognise Indigenous peoples' interests in land and water.
Professor Logan Walker, of the Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, Christchurch, received the Health Research Council's prestigious Lily Medal for his work into the impact of genetic changes on our health.
Associate Professor Martin de Bock and Professor Ben Wheeler, of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (Christchurch and Dunedin), jointly received the HRC's Beaven Medal for their work creating automated insulin delivery technology for diabetics.
While the research team from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou Taurite Tū, led by Katrina Pōtiki Bryant (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu), of the School of Physiotherapy, won the HRC's inaugural Catalyst in the Community Award for its rūnaka-based, kaupapa Māori falls prevention research.
The awards were presented at a Royal Society Research Honours event in Christchurch last night.
Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson congratulates all five on their achievements.
"Each of them is an expert in their fields and their work has had significant impact both here in New Zealand and overseas.
"I know their work is driven by the desire to create positive outcomes for the public, and it is fantastic for them to be recognised with these honours," he says.
The awards
Humanities Aronui Medal – Professor Jacinta Ruru (Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui),
Faculty of Law
This Royal Society Te Apārangi medal is awarded for research or innovative work of outstanding merit in the Humanities.
