University of Otago Distinguished Research Medal
Professor Peter Fineran (Phage-host interactions laboratory ) is the 2025 recipient of the University of Otago Distinguished Research Medal.
Professor Fineran is described as an outstanding scientist, an exceptional academic leader, and a dedicated mentor whose contributions to the field of infection biology and immunity in bacteria have been truly remarkable.
He has made world-leading fundamental advances in his field of research, exploring the interactions between bacteria and mobile genetic elements, including phages and plasmids. Phages are viruses that infect and specifically kill bacteria via counteracting bacterial defences.
His discoveries have broad applications for health and wellbeing, including addressing bioprotection challenges in New Zealand. Professor Fineran has an exceptional publication record in top ranking international journals, with over 140 publications, over 14,350 citations, and an h-index of 59. Forty-two of his publications have been cited over100 times each. His publications include five articles in Nature, two in Science, five in Molecular Cell and others in high impact journals from the Nature stable. This run of high impact publications is almost unheard of in New Zealand.
The University of Otago Distinguished Research Medal award aims to promote research at Otago and to give recognition to outstanding performance of individual researchers or research teams. A medal commemorating the award will be presented to each recipient at a public lecture given by the recipient. Up to two such awards may be given in any one year.
Any academic staff member of the University of Otago who holds an appointment at the level of Research Fellow, Lecturer, Senior Research Fellow, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor or Professorial Research Fellow, or a team comprising such individuals may be eligible.
The basis for selection is outstanding scholarly achievement, including the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, the development of innovative technology, or the development of concepts that lead to significant advances in activities of the University.
Past recipients of the University of Otago Distinguished Research Medal
The Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal
Associate Professor Andrew Reynolds (Department of Medicine) is the 2025 winner of the Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal.
Associate Professor Reynolds is a nutrition epidemiologist whose research focuses upon achievable lifestyle and environment change in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Associate Professor Reynolds has secured more than $3M in research funding to date and has published 54 papers in peer-reviewed journals, with the vast majority (75%) in high impact journals, including first author publications in The Lancet, Nature and Nature Medicine. He has also published 7 book chapters and more than 14 reports for global and national organisations. His research has had outstanding impact, with his work underpinning multiple World Health Organization guidelines, the European clinical guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes, American Diabetes Association guidelines, upcoming National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) Nutrient Reference Values, and, closer to home, position statements of the Heart Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The late Sir Carl Smith was a prominent Dunedin businessman and member of the University Council who set up the Rowheath Trust to support the University's work.
The Rowheath Trust Award aims to promote research at the University of Otago and to give recognition to outstanding research performance of early career staff. Any staff member of the University of Otago who has been on the staff of this University for a period of at least two years and who has held a career research appointment for less than a combined total of ten years at this and other research institutes may be eligible.
The basis for selection is outstanding scholarly achievement, including the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, the development of innovative technology, or scholarship for an emerging researcher.
Past recipients of The Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal
Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research
Four up-and-coming University of Otago staff have been announced as the 2025 recipients of Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research.
Dr Joon Kim (Department of Physiology), Dr Zihan Liu (Department of Accountancy and Finance), Dr Graham McCulloch (Department of Zoology), Dr Xun Xiao (Department of Mathematics and Statistics) have been selected for the award on the basis of their outstanding research achievements.
Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research recognize outstanding research achievements by early career staff. Full-time academic staff who have held a career appointment as Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Clinical Lecturer, Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow at the University of Otago for a period of at least two years, and who have held an academic appointment for less than a combined total of six years at this and other universities, may be eligible for the Awards.
The basis for selection is outstanding research achievement, with emphasis being given to achievement during the nominee's appointment at the University of Otago.
Past recipients of Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research
Māori Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research
Two talented University of Otago researchers have been announced as 2025 recipients of the Māori Early Career Award for Distinction in Research.
Katrina Pōtiki Bryant (School of Physiotherapy) and Dr Megan Leask (Department of Physiology) have been selected for the award on the basis of their outstanding research achievements.
Introduced in 2023, the Māori Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research recognise outstanding research achievement by early career staff who whakapapa Māori, with emphasis being given to achievement during the nominee's appointment at the University of Otago.
Full-time academic staff who have held a career appointment as Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Clinical Lecturer, Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow at the University of Otago for a period of at least two years, and who have held an academic appointment for less than a combined total of six years at this and other universities, may be eligible for the Awards.
Past recipients of Māori Early Career Awards for Distinction in Research
Tofā Sāili Pacific Early Career Award for Distinction in Research
No award was made in 2025.
Tofā Sāili refers to the wisdom gained through the constant search for truth. Introduced in 2023, the Tofā Sāili Pacific Early Career Award for Distinction in Research recognises outstanding research achievements by early career staff who are of indigenous Pacific descent, with emphasis being given to achievement during the nominee's appointment at the University of Otago.
Full-time academic staff who have held a career appointment as Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Clinical Lecturer, Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow at the University of Otago for a period of at least two years, and who have held an academic appointment for less than a combined total of six years at this and other universities, may be eligible for the Award.
Past recipients of Tofā Sāili Pacific Early Career Award for Distinction in Research
Research Group Award
ASPIRE Aotearoa is the 2025 winner of the Research Group Award. Its work is focused upon five areas:
- The impact of smoking on population wellbeing
- The emergence of new nicotine products and the risks and benefits these products pose
- The lived experiences of nicotine product use, particularly experiences of stigma
- The evaluation of existing and proposed policies to reduce tobacco and nicotine harm
- Tobacco industry interference in policy making.
ASPIRE Aotearoa has achieved outstanding scholarly, policy and community impact, including >130 journal articles and 20 editorials since 2020. The Centre has generated more than $20M in research funding, including (since 2019) two HRC programme grants, a Cancer Society programme grant, several HRC project grants, and several National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) grants.
The Centre’s work made a major contribution to creating the evidence base and academic foundation for the world-leading smokefree legislation introduced in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act, which has been repealed by the current government, contains measures that would have galvanised declines in smoking prevalence, reduced inequities, and profoundly enhanced individual and societal wellbeing.
The University of Otago Research Group Award recognises outstanding research performance at a high international level by a research group led from the University of Otago.
The basis for selection is outstanding scholarly achievement that enhances the understanding, development and well-being of individuals and society including the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, the development of innovative technology, or the development of concepts that lead to significant advances. The award recognises achievement during the previous five years.
Past recipients of the Research Group Award
Openness in Animal Research and Teaching Award
Scott Rhodes is the inaugural (2025) winner of the Openness in Animal Research and Teaching Award.
Mr Rhodes is Head of Operations and Facilities at the Biomedical Resource Facility and Christchurch Animal Research Area. In these roles, Mr Rhodes has developed and implemented animal welfare monitoring programs, post-operative care protocols, and staff education on humane endpoints. He provides mentorship to early-career animal technicians and researchers, ensuring awareness of animal welfare legislation, ethical principles, and best practices. He is also a member of university and national ethics groups, contributing to ongoing improvements in animal use and openness in science.
When the newly established Biomedical Resource Facility was attracting critical attention from media and animal rights organisations several years ago, Mr Rhodes responded by developing clear, proactive openness and engagement policies that dispelled tensions and promoted dialogue and respect. Mr Rhodes’ commitment to the highest standards of practice and transparency have helped make the Biomedical Resource Facility a world-class animal facility.
The Openness in Animal Research and Teaching Award was established in 2025 to recognise exemplary openness around the use of animals in research and teaching, in alignment with the commitments of the ANZCCART Openness Agreement, to which the University of Otago is a signatory. The award supports the University’s commitment to high standards, transparency and accountability in animal research ethics and regulation.
Three Rs in Animal Research Award
Professor Rajesh Katare is the inaugural (2025) winner of the Three Rs in Animal Research Award (the Three Rs being Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement).
Professor Katare is Head of the Department of Physiology and Director of the Katare Lab, whose research focuses on identifying novel biomarkers and treatments for use in cardiovascular aging and disease.
Professor Katare previously utilised animal models in his research but has more recently sought to embed the Three Rs in scientific research and student training, reflecting both innovation and responsibility. This is exemplified by his replacement of rodent models with Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) and cardiac organoids in his clinical research and testing settings, and, in Cardiovascular Research (a 300-level Physiology paper), by replacing the annual use of ~ 60 diabetic mice for microRNA studies, with students instead utilising their own saliva to investigate how aging and diabetes-related factors influence microRNA expression.
The Three Rs in Animal Research Award was established in 2025 to celebrate research applies, advances, or articulates the Three Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. The award supports the University’s commitment to the highest standards of transparency and accountability in animal research ethics and regulation.
The University of Otago Arts Fellowships
The University of Otago recognises the importance of providing authors, dancers, artists, and composers with financial support and resources to enable them to explore their creative talents. The Arts Fellowships cater for a wide variety of artistic styles that reflect the diversity of writing, art, composing and dance in New Zealand.
The University offers the following Fellowships:
- The Robert Burns Fellowship
- The Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance
- The Frances Hodgkins Fellowship
- The Mozart Fellowship
- University of Otago College of Education Writer in Residence
Further information can be found on the Otago Fellows website.
Divisional and Departmental Awards
Internal funding of research occurs both at the Divisional and Departmental level. Please contact your Divisional Office directly for further information.