2022 Research Honours Aotearoa Kirikiriroa Hamilton

KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA

Our warmest congratulations to the winners of the Research Honours Aotearoa 2022. Our celebrated awards recognise researchers in New Zealand who have achieved excellence in scholarship, innovation, or who have made a significant contribution to Aotearoa through their research and career.

Hosted by Royal Society Te Apārangi, these annual awards are championed by New Zealand’s research community and its associated networks. We acknowledge our partners the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden for their continued support and sponsorship, and all others who have contributed to this year’s Research Honours Aotearoa. We are enormously proud of our sparkling winners and their outstanding achievements. Mauri ora!

PROFESSOR CHARLOTTE MACDONALD FRSNZ ACADEMY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI

TŪHURA TOROHĒ TOHATOHA

ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI TE KŌPŪNUI MĀORI RESEARCH AWARD

For an early career researcher to recognise innovative Māori research with a promising trajectory

DR MELISSA DERBY Ngāti Ranginui

Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE LITERACY LEARNING

Presented for creating a culturally-responsive literacy programme aimed at strengthening bilingual preschool children’s early literacy skills in te reo Māori and English. Melissa is an emerging researcher with a focus on literacy development in the early years. In her awardwinning doctoral study, Melissa drew from Māori oral traditions and pedagogical approaches to co-create a literacy programme aimed at strengthening bilingual preschool children’s early literacy skills in te reo Māori and English. She then used her findings to co-write Talking Together: He Kōrerorero, a resource that strengthens kaiako and whānau practice in fostering early literacy skills. Melissa also runs workshops in developing children’s early literacy skills.

COOPER AWARD

For encouraging research excellence in technology, applied science and engineering by early career researchers in New Zealand

DR HAMID ABBASI

Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau

BIOMARKERS

IDENTIFYING

FOR AUTOMATICALLY

BRAIN INJURY AT BIRTH

Presented for developing advanced technology for automatically identifying biological markers of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI) at birth. HI results from reduced oxygen delivery and blood supply but is challenging to diagnose partly due to a lack of robust biomarkers. Using a sheep animal model, Hamid has identified promising prognostic biological signatures of the injury, in the form of subtle high-frequency spike transients in the electroencephalographic (EEG) electrical brain signals. These can be seen in the first 6 hours after HI, when it would be optimal to start potential neuroprotective treatments. His advanced machine-learning framework, based on deep-learning technology, can accurately identify and quantify these subtle wave-form signatures in real-time, with accuracy of over 99.8% and could be a game-changer for treating at-risk infants.

MACDIARMID MEDAL

For outstanding scientific research that demonstrates the potential for application for human benefit

AGRESEARCH

PLANT

BIOTECHNOLOGY TEAM INCLUDING DR GREG BRYAN, DR NICK ROBERTS, DR SOMRUTAI WINICHAYAKUL AgResearch Palmerston North SOLVING HUNGER AND CLIMATE CHANGE WITH SUPERCHARGED CROPS

Presented for research on enhanced photosynthesis, increasing nutrient and energy density of forages and crops to improve productivity and animal performance whilst reducing environmental impacts of agriculture. The team developed a technology to produce and store oil in the green tissue of plants via the transfer of two genes. This not only increased leaf fatty acid content, but also enhanced photosynthesis by up to 24%. This technology has applications for all crops, and work is already underway in four key areas: forages, oilseeds, grains, and specialty/industrial crops. If successfully applied, it could simultaneously alleviate global hunger and slow climate change.

PROFESSOR DAVID BILKEY CHAIR, MARSDEN FUND COUNCIL TE PŪTEA RANGAHAU A MARSDEN

The Marsden Fund Council is delighted to have supported many of the excellent researchers recognised in this year’s Research Honours Aotearoa.

Fundamental, ‘blue-sky’ research is crucial to ensuring a healthy, vibrant and resilient research culture in Aotearoa, capable of addressing major societal challenges. We are particularly keen to support the development of the next generation of emerging researchers. It is also heartening to see recognition for an increasing engagement in mātauranga Māori – an effort we commend for its potential positive impact on the underrepresentation of Māori in academia.

HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL TE TOHU RAPUORA MEDAL

For outstanding leadership and contribution to Māori health

DR TESS MOEKE-MAXWELL* AND THE TE ĀRAI PALLIATIVE CARE AND END OF LIFE RESEARCH GROUP

*Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Porou

University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau

SUPPORTING WHĀNAU THROUGH THE END-OF-LIFE PATHWAY

Presented for outstanding leadership and research that has helped improve palliative care, end-of-life and tangihanga experiences for Māori kaumātua and whānau throughout Aotearoa. Tess and the Te Ārai Research Group’s work has contributed significantly to Aotearoa’s palliative care policy, including Mauri Mate: A Māori palliative care framework for hospices. They also produced the informational website Te Ipu Aronui to support whānau caregivers and health professionals care for kaumātua at the end of life. Their mahi has helped increase Māori access to palliative care and supported whānau access to knowledge about tikanga processes across the endof-life pathway.

HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL LILEY MEDAL

For published research that makes a significant contribution to health and medical sciences

PROFESSOR VALERY FEIGIN FRSNZ

Auckland University of Technology Te Wānanga Aronui o Tamaki Makau Rau

GLOBAL STUDY ON RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE

Presented for the landmark Lancet Neurology paper that showed for the first time the global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors in all the world’s 204 countries.

The paper showed that the world’s burden of stroke continues to increase substantially, with the global incidence of strokes increasing by 70% between 1990 and 2019. Among other key findings, it also showed the importance of low ambient temperature as a risk factor for stroke, including in New Zealand where 10% of stroke burden could be attributed to low temperature, particularly in the home.

HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL BEAVEN MEDAL

For

excellence

in translational health research

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR NIGEL WILSON Starship Children’s Health

GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH ON RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Presented for his groundbreaking research to help children in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands battling rheumatic fever and its subsequent damaging heart disease. Nigel’s initial studies showed that Doppler echocardiography was better than the stethoscope for detecting damaged heart valves in rheumatic fever, informing New Zealand’s and international guidelines. He has led treatment trials for rheumatic fever and his research findings have been widely translated for clinical healthcare. He has also led international collaborations to develop and promote echocardiographic screening protocols and criteria for diagnosing longterm rheumatic heart disease.

PROFESSOR SUNNY COLLINGS CHIEF EXECUTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND

The Health Research Council is committed to supporting and growing a diverse health research workforce whose research can help Aotearoa New Zealand meet current and future health challenges and advance the health of Māori and Pacific peoples and other groups who experience health inequity. We are proud to partner with Royal Society Te Apārangi to celebrate the significant achievements of some of our country’s outstanding researchers.

HECTOR MEDAL

For outstanding work in chemical, physical sciences, or mathematical and information sciences

PROFESSOR MURRAY COX FRSNZ

Computational Biology Research Group, Massey University Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

ANSWERING LONG-STANDING QUESTIONS IN GENOME EVOLUTION

Presented for major advances in population genetic theory and the innovative development of associated computational methods that have delivered deep insight into genome evolution. Murray couples innovative advances in population genetics and complex systems theory, with the development of practical computational tools, allowing him to make striking new discoveries about the biological world from vast population and genome datasets. His major breakthroughs include discovering a previously unknown species of archaic human living in the Pacific region, identifying the limits to which functional information from European genetic datasets can be transferred to Pacific communities, and identifying new mechanisms for how the 3D structure of DNA in a cell's nucleus coordinates gene expression.

METGE MEDAL

For excellence and relationshipbuilding in the social science research community ASSOCIATE

PROFESSOR

YVONNE UNDERHILL-SEM Department of

Pacific Studies

University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata

Rau

UNDERSTANDING GENDER RELATIONS IN PACIFIC COMMUNITIES

Presented for intellectual leadership on gendered social relations and development studies. Yvonne’s research and leadership of several major initiatives in many parts of the Pacific have deepened our understanding of the complexities of gender relations in Pacific communities, including those in Aotearoa. She highlights the intersection of gender relations with familial, generational, sociocultural, religious, and political relations, which are regarded by Pacific Islanders as equally, if not more, important than gender. Her wide networks of research and policy colleagues have enabled her to play a major leadership role in initiatives that operate at the interface of research and policy, integrating scholarly work with community empowerment.

CHRIS BUNNY DEPUTY SECRETARY, LABOUR, SCIENCE AND ENTERPRISE MINISTRY FOR BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT

With great pride and pleasure, I give my congratulations to all the winners of the Research Honours Aotearoa 2022.

Our world is constantly evolving, and it is important that we invest in the brilliant minds who are dedicated to making breakthroughs in their respective fields. The diligence and excellence these researchers demonstrate will both influence and make significant and meaningful change in our lives now and into the future.

The bright ideas displayed by our winners will continue to transform our lives for the better.

Congratulations again to all! Tu meke!

HUMANITIES ARONUI MEDAL

For research or innovative work of outstanding merit in the humanities

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD

For eminent and distinctive contribution to Te Ao Māori and indigenous knowledge

PROFESSOR

TIMOTHY MULGAN FRSNZ

University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata

ETHICS FOR FUTURE HUMANITY

Rau

Presented for prolific, original and influential contributions to moral philosophy, philosophy of religion, and political philosophy. Tim has developed new ways of thinking about our obligations to distant strangers and future people. He challenges optimistic complacency by asking how people inhabiting different possible futures might reimagine ethics. He defends a provocative non-humancentred account of cosmic purpose and he asks how we might find meaning at humanity's end. Unified by the search for a convincing philosophical account of future ethics, his work has shaped current academic debates in philosophy and significantly influenced scholarship in other disciplines including theology, development studies, environmental studies, and political theory.

DR WAIKAREMOANA WAITOKI

Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Mahanga

Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

INDIGENISING PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSION

Presented for indigenising the psychology profession with intentional space-making for Māori and indigenous values. A driving force behind curriculum development, Moana has brought mātauranga Māori, te ao Māori and kaupapa Māori approaches together as an alternative to eurocentric psychology practices. Her exceptional contribution affords psychologists opportunities to learn and to choose tikanga Māori in their practices. The Whiti te Rā and the Mauri Ora Toko models are being used to address mental health and addiction issues, intergenerational trauma, and to develop resilience and enhanced wellbeing for tamariki experiencing emotional issues. Moana has also been at the forefront of establishing Māori and indigenous global psychology networks as well as making space for indigenous psychologists in national and international psychological societies.

OUR 2022 MEDALS AND AWARDS CONTINUE!

We are hosting three smaller, regional events this year. Research Honours 2022 continues in Ōtepoti Dunedin 16 November 2022, and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington 22 November 2022. After these dates, a full listing of winners, including the medals and awards below, will be available on royalsociety.org.nz/medals-and-awards

Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Award for Humanities

Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Award for Social Sciences

Hatherton Award Jones Medal

Hercus Medal

Thomson Medal

Rutherford Medal

Te Kōpūnui Award

Hamilton Award

Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement Health Research Council Liley Medal (additional)

Mason Durie Medal Pou Aronui Award

Tahunui-a-Rangi Award

Callaghan Medal Hutton Medal Pickering Medal

NAU MAI HOKI MAI

It’s great to be able to come together and reconnect in person this year. The Research Honours Aotearoa 2022 remind us to take time to honour the many amazing talents of our winners and to celebrate the passion they demonstrate for their areas of expertise. What an immense difference New Zealanders can make!

There are many future challenges and exciting opportunities that will come from ‘exploring, discovering and sharing’. Our awards and medals celebrate those who are doing that. Our warmest congratulations to this year’s winners, who are recognised for achieving excellence, scholarship, mātauranga and innovation, or for making a significant contribution to Aotearoa through their research and career.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini success is not individual but collective, and we acknowledge all the colleagues and whānau of the winners who have supported them.

Ka rawe!

DR BRENT CLOTHIER FRSNZ PRESIDENT, ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI