Taking the stage —MWC investigators recognised
MWC Principal and Associate Investigators were awarded international and national recognition for their scientific research and engagement with the community.
Professor Dame Margaret Brimble with the Davy Medal, and New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, The Hon Phil Goff
Once again recognised on the international stage, Distinguished Professor Dame Margaret Brimble, MWC Deputy Director and Principal Investigator, was honoured with the Royal Society Davy Medal in 2023—the first New Zealander to win the Royal Society of London award. The award recognises outstanding contributions through her career to organic chemistry with wide-ranging applications across the life sciences. Margaret and her group’s research, supported in part by the MWC, focuses on the synthesis of novel peptides for use as either anticancer, antimicrobial, or antiviral therapies.
Dr Ofa Dewes and the Governor General of New Zealand, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
Dr Ofa Dewes, a longstanding sentinel of Pacific research, was acknowledged in the 2023 King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours List. Ofa is an Associate Investigator with the Maurice Wilkins Centre engaged in valuable ethnic-specific research and evaluation studies among Pacific population groups across the lifespan, especially in the areas of people development, type 2 diabetes and obesity, ageing and activating communities for better health and education outcomes. She was appointed a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to health and the Pacific community. A member of the MWC Research Leadership Forum and key advisor to the MWC on Pacific Strategy, Ofa has an unwavering career developing critical research in consultation with Pacific peoples. She has been instrumental in a consultative approach with Pacific peoples, continues to supervise and mentor numerous postgraduate Pacific students, and is a strong advocate for all Pacific students.
The World Class Kea Award, celebrating an individual’s marked influence and team building, which in turn, leads and shapes science and industry and builds New Zealand’s reputation on the world stage, was bestowed to MWC Principal Investigator Professor Cristin Print. Cristin is a co-coordinator of the MWC Cancer research theme and a Research Leadership Forum member.
Drs Natalie Netzler and Chris Puli’uvea
Two MWC-affiliated researchers have shared the 2023 award of the New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS) Cranwell Medal, celebrating their significant community outreach. MWC Associate Investigator and virologist Dr Natalie Netzler and MWC Affiliate Investigator and immunologist Dr Chris Puli’uvea were honoured for their exceptional commitment to demystifying science for the public, particularly Māori and Pacific communities. Natalie and Chris’ tireless efforts driving Covid 19 and vaccination and education and awareness with the Pacific community, resource development and media liaison were previously recognised by the Maurice Wilkins Centre’s Early Career Steering Committee 2023 Early Career Researcher Award Recognising Science Excellence and Community Engagement in February.