Eminent Otago Scholars To Receive University’s Top Research Honour
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Two of the University of Otago's internationally leading researchers will receive the University's premier research award in recognition of their outstanding work. Professor David Skegg, Head of Preventive and Social Medicine and Professor Rick Sibson of Geology are the 2003 recipients of the University's Distinguished Research Medal. |
Vice-Chancellor Dr Graeme Fogelberg says that he is "delighted" that the eminent pair's "longstanding and highly significant contributions" to the University's research programmes are to be formally recognised through the awards.
"Professors Skegg and Sibson are shining examples of the enormous number of researchers at Otago devoted to actively advancing knowledge in their fields. Their prodigious and consistently high quality output exemplifies the University's enduring commitment to the pursuit of research excellence."
Professor Skegg is an internationally leading epidemiologist and public health advocate, while Professor Sibson is a highly influential structural geologist whose work has revolutionised the understanding of fault behaviour and earthquake mechanics, says Dr Fogelberg.
Professor Sibson, who headed the Department of Geology for six years after arriving at University in 1990, is a leading earth scientist whose research is described as "varied and intellectually profound". His expertise includes earthquake science, rock mechanics, and hydrothermal flow through fractured rock. Through integrating these disciplines he has made internationally significant scientific advances on the structure, mechanics and mineralisation of crustal fault zones.
Earlier this year he was accorded the rare honour of election to Fellowship of the Royal Society of London in recognition of his scientific achievements.
The professors will receive their medals at the respective public lectures they will present later in the year. In addition to the medals, each will receive a $10, 000 grant to be used for their personal scholarly development.
The previous recipients of the award, which was inaugurated in 2001, are Emeritus Professor Jim Flynn (Political Studies), Professor Charles Higham (Anthropology) and Professor Jim Mann (Human Nutrition and Medicine).
Article written by:
Simon Ancell
Media Specialist
University of Otago
Tel: 03 479 5016