Message from the Head of School
Kia ora tatou
As Semester 1 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to extend my thanks and appreciation to our incredible PTFs, teaching teams and professional staff. We recognise that this semester has brought more than its fair share of challenges. Reduced resources, tighter budgets, and added pressures have made your already demanding roles even more complex. And yet, through it all, you continue to show up, adapt, and deliver—often going above and beyond to ensure that students receive the quality education and support they need. Thank you!
There have also been many reasons to celebrate over recent months. At the May graduation ceremony, our Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Hons) students were recognised with a special event in the Atrium (check out the photos in our newsletter). We also marked the graduation of 19 Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Hons) students, all with First class Honours, along with 9 Master of Biomedical Science students, 8 of whom achieved First Class Honours. Additionally, 5 PhD students from our school celebrated their graduation.
A special congratulations to Associate Professor Mark Thomas (MMP), who was appointed to a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. His recognition for services to people living with HIV/AIDS and antibiotic research is richly deserved -it’s wonderful to see his achievements and service acknowledged.
For more news about some of the fabulous people in our School check out the blogs in the newsletter.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Clare
Well done
Congratulations also to Julia Shanks for the 1st Place Research Presentation Award (AMRF sponsored), Alice McDouall for the 3rd Place Research Presentation Award (LIGGINS sponsored), and Petra White for the Outstanding Research Abstract Award (Lab Supply sponsored).
Staff success
Congratulations to Professor Johanna Montgomery and the team (Kevin Lee, James Ellis, Zoe Mills) for being awarded an AMRF project grant.
Staff success
Congratulations to Dr Anna Ponnampalam and the team (Kim Mellor, Ben Albert, Mark Vickers) for being awarded an AMRF project grant.
Staff success
Olivia Gold and the team revealed a modifiable mechanism that fundamentally stimulates breathing, offering a highly clinically relevant strategy to restore respiratory drive in conditions like sleep apnoea and opioid-induced respiratory depression.
2025 Waipapa Taumata Rau Research Medal
Congratulations to Professor Paul Donaldson, Associate Professor Julie Lim and Associate Professor Gus Grey on receiving the 2025 Waipapa Taumata Rau Research Medal.
PhD success
Please join me in congratulating Zakieh Vahdati, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, for successfully defending her PhD thesis.
Staff success
Professor Julian Paton, Director of Manaaki Manawa, the Centre for Heart Research and Professor of Translational Physiology, Department of Physiology, has won the inaugural Geoffrey Burnstock Memorial lecture gifted from the American Autonomic Society.
Staff success
A breakthrough study, led by Associate Professor Chris Hall, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology and his lab group, has uncovered how daylight can boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections.
NZ Order of Merit in the Kings Birthday Honours 2025
Associate Professor Mark Thomas, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in the Kings Birthday Honours 2025.