Division of Sciences award winners (from left) Mariana Te Pou, Lyall Hanton, Francesca Marzatico, Narun Pat, Marea Colombo, Lara Vlietstra, Grant Robertson, Celia Lie, Jen Gale, Nick Green, Hannah Kessenich, Miles Lamare (on behalf of Bill Dickson), Jörg Hennig, Blair Blakie, Richard Barker and Melanie Bussey.
Celebrating the people and work of the Sciences was the focus of the biennial 2024 Sciences Divisional Awards ceremony this week.
Sciences Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Barker says the awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the contributions of professional and academic staff and students across the Division.
“The quality of mahi that takes place across research, teaching, professional and community engagement activities in the Sciences is inspiring,” Richard says.
“To all the nominees and recipients of the awards, I would like to reiterate my thanks for your ongoing exemplary service to the Division and the wider University community.”
The 2024 judging panel was chaired by Professor Crid Fraser, Sciences Associate Dean Research, and the following winners from the 2022 awards - Professor Tamlin Conner, Nicky McHugh, Associate Professor Jono Squire, Mary Spiers and Associate Professor Phil Wilcox.
Due to the high calibre of nominations received, the panel presented the Outstanding Early-Career Researcher award to three recipients who are all leading innovative research in addition to exceptional service beyond what is expected in their roles.
The 2024 Special Award for Distinguished Service was awarded to Professor Lyall Hanton from the Department of Chemistry. Lyall completed his undergraduate studies at Otago, and since 1981 has been an academic staff member in Chemistry, including eight years as Head of Department. His sustained service to the University has been one that displays a strong altruistic ethic and a high level of leadership.
Professor Barker and the Vice-Chancellor Hon Grant Robertson presented awards to the following 15 recipients:
- Outstanding Researcher: Professor Blair Blakie (Department of Physics)
- Outstanding Early-Career Researcher; Dr Nick Green (Department of Chemistry); Dr Narun Pat (Department of Psychology); Dr Lara Vlietstra (School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences)
- Best Research Paper Academic Staff (translational): Associate Professor Melanie Bussey (School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences)
- Best Research Paper Academic Staff (fundamental): Dr Nick Green (Department of Chemistry)
- Best Research Paper Postgraduate Student (translational): Jennifer Gale (Department of Human Nutrition)
- Best Research Paper Postgraduate Student (fundamental): Hannah Kessenich (Department of Physics)
- Outstanding External Engagement: Dr Celia Lie (Department of Psychology)
- Outstanding Teacher: Dr Jörg Hennig (Department of Mathematics & Statistics)
- Outstanding Early-Career Teacher: Dr Marea Colombo (Department of Psychology)
- Innovation in Māori or Pasifika Course Content: Dr Francesca Marzatico (School of Surveying)
- Outstanding Professional Staff Technical: Bill Dickson (Department of Marine Science)
- Outstanding Professional Staff, Manaakitanga: Mariana Te Pou (Sciences Divisional Office)
- Special Award for Distinguished Service: Professor Lyall Hanton (Department of Chemistry)