Clean Sweep of scientist awards

Clean Sweep of scientist awards

The University of Auckland has been recognised in every category at this year’s New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS) Awards.

Professor Mick Clout from the Faculty of Science has been jointly awarded the Marsden Medal for his contribution to conservation biology and a lifetime’s work dedicated to studying the ecology of mammals and birds, including critically endangered species such as kakapo.

The award recognises outstanding achievement in science over the course of a distinguished career incorporating his decades of work in pest eradication science.

Professor Clout was a pioneer of the concept of creating pest-free sanctuaries for endangered species through intensive pest eradication and his work in this area is still used by conservation groups and organisations today. He is a strong advocate for biosecurity and conservation in general.

Dean of Science Professor John Hosking says the Marsden Medal is one of New Zealand’s highest science honours.

“New Zealand’s wonderful and unique species would be in much worse shape without the dedication of scientists such as Mick Clout,” he says.

“For many years he has devoted his career to ensuring the survival of some of our most precious wildlife so that future generations will not have to look back and mourn the loss of some of the most unique species on earth.”

The NZAS Research Medal, also jointly awarded this year, goes to palliative care and gerontology research specialist Professor Merryn Gott from the University’s School of Nursing, who has developed a unique programme of research investigating how to reduce suffering at the end of life within the context of a rapidly ageing population and constrained health budgets.

Professor Gott says New Zealand’s population is ageing at an unprecedented rate and there is an urgent need to find answers to new questions about how best to care for our older people as they approach death.

Her research into palliative and end-of-life care has spanned 20 years and resulted in more than 120 publications in peer reviewed journals, with 40 papers published in the last two years alone. This highly cited work has influenced policy and led to real changes in health and social care services for people who are approaching the end of their lives.

Professor Gott also plays a key role supporting New Zealand’s next generation of health scientists by mentoring early career researchers and supervising postgraduate students.

“The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences is delighted with the awarding of the 2014 NZAS research medal to Professor Merryn Gott in the School of Nursing,” says the Dean of FMHS, Professor John Fraser. “Merryn is internationally recognised for her research into the elderly and palliative care and the award is most appropriate recognition of this work.”

Professor Wei Gao, a leading and internationally renowned engineering researcher from the Faculty of Engineering has won this year’s NZAS Shorland Medal for his research into nanostructured materials, light metals and alloys, electronic properties of materials and advanced coating and surface technologies. He has focused particularly on energy and environmental related materials.

The medal is awarded in recognition of major and continued contribution to basic or applied research that has added significantly to scientific understanding or resulted in significant benefits to society.

Professor Gao gained his DPhil (PhD) from Oxford University and was a Research Fellow at MIT for five years. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society NZ and IPENZ and sits on a number of editorial boards of international journals. He is Honorary/Advisor Professor for eight overseas universities.

During his long and distinguished career he has published 680 peer reviewed papers and patents including 11 books / book chapters.

‘Nanogirl’ Dr Michelle Dickinson from the Faculty of Engineering has been named NZAS Science Communicator for 2014 for her work in making science accessible to a wide range of New Zealanders.

The senior lecturer in Chemical and Materials engineering is a regular guest and commentator in media, including regular appearances on TV3 and RadioLIVE.

A roving science ambassador who organises events aimed at making science fun for both young and old, she believes strongly that everyone should have access to learning about science and how things around us work.

Recently she completed the “100 Days of Science” project where schoolchildren used everything from marshmallows to balloons to learn the complex theories behind scientific phenomena. She has also co-founded the charity OMGTech which teaches technical skills including coding, robotics and 3D printing to children from low decile schools.

Dean of Engineering Professor Nicolas Smith says he is delighted for Wei and Michelle.

“To have two of our staff recognised in these awards in a single year shows the breadth and quality of the work within our Faculty across research, teaching and public engagement.”

ENDS

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