This week 15 of New Zealand's top scientists were honoured at the 2016 Research Honours Dinner, hosted by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
The Rutherford Medal recognises exceptional contributions to the advancement and promotion of public awareness, knowledge and understanding, and is New Zealand's top science honour. It was awarded to Emeritus Professor Michael Corballis, a cognitive neuroscientist in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland, who works on the mind and origins of language.
The MacDiarmid Medal is awarded for outstanding scientific research that demonstrates the potential for application to human benefit. This year it goes to Professor Merryn Tawhai from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, who develops computational models of the lung.
The Callaghan Medal, awarded for outstanding contribution to science communication, goes to Professor Hamish Spencer from the University of Otago. Hamish says he’s accepting the award on behalf of colleagues in what was the Allan Wilson Centre, for two collaborations with East Coast iwi.
Iain Anderson, who won the Pickering Medal, was interviewed on Nine to Noon.
