Showcasing our medical scientists

The Kudos are New Zealand's only regional science excellence awards, established in 2007 by the Kudos Science Trust (Hamilton Science Awards Trust). Each year, the Kudos Awards recognise top scientists from Hamilton and the Waikato region in a range of science categories.

A list of all recipients of the Kudos awards, including lifetime Achievement and Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductee can be found on the Kudos website https://www.thekudos.org.nz/

2021/2022 Awards - Te Whatu Ora Waikato Medical Science Award (winner) - Associate Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere

Associate Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere won the Te Whatu Ora Waikato Medical Science Award, and two of our medical staff were also finalists.

Associate Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere draws on mātauranga Māori knowledge to inform medical best practices.

Associate Professor Masters-Awatere has been instrumental in embedding Kaupapa Māori approaches and principles into medical and health-related research, creating meaningful health impacts for Māori at individual, community, service-provision and policy levels. Her focus is consistently reflected in her publication record, supervisory work, project leadership and health sector collaborations. Recognised as a pre-eminent indigenous evaluation expert, whose work has been identified as an ‘exemplar of research excellence’, Masters-Awatere is dedicated to improving health and well-being for Māori in the Waikato and nationally.

Finalists:

Dr. Etuini Ma’u

Dr Etu Ma’u’s leadership and research is improving our understanding of dementia care needs, particularly in relation to Pacific people.

As our population ages, the number of people with dementia is rapidly increasing. An academic psychologist specialising in mental health services for older people, Dr Ma’u is currently undertaking a PhD looking at dementia prevention, intervention and care with a specific focus on equity issues for Pacific people. His most recent published work on dementia prevention is a NZ-first and also the first time worldwide that a study on this topic has compared two ethnic groups within one country.

Joseph Baker

Associate Professor Joe Baker’s specialist bent is keeping our backs in good form.

A leading academic orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in spinal deformity and disease, Associate Professor Baker’s research focus is on infection and metastatic cancer of the spine, particularly in children. His work enhances understanding of spinal conditions and injuries, predictors of infection and treatment success, and refinement of surgical techniques. His role as a researcher, reviewer and a trainer of surgeons is making a huge contribution to patient outcomes in this vital health area.

2019 - Lifetime Achievement Award (winner) - Dr Amanda Oakley

Dr Oakley has developed the internationally respected DermNet website accessed by more than two million dermatologists, health professionals, students and patients worldwide. Dr Oakley is passionate about using the latest virtual and artificial intelligence technology to provide quicker, cheaper, and accurate diagnosis and management of skin conditions.

2019 - Midland Trauma Research Centre (winner)

Midland Trauma Research Centre is the premier trauma research group in the country, led by Waikato trauma specialist Grant Christey and based at Waikato Hospital. Its work includes clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, and research aimed at raising awareness and ultimately trauma prevention.

2019 - Dr Douglas White (finalist)

Widely acknowledged as a leading rheumatologist at Waikato Hospital and as a clinical teacher, with a longstanding involvement in New Zealand and overseas based research projects. He has an overarching goal of improving the lives of people with arthritis.

2018 - Mike Kaplan, MD, PhD (winner)

His trailblazing research in the 1970s challenged prevailing belief by suggesting that adults can grow new nerve cells. His theory is now one of the fundamental principles underlying rehabilitation programmes for those who have experienced a stroke or similar neurological trauma. Read more

2017 - Dr Jade Tamatea (winner)

She is an emerging leader in endocrinology and thyroid disease in the Waikato region. Her research has improved understanding of the factors that influence thyrotoxicosis, effective treatment for Maori, and considers the patients’ journey to and through health services. Read more

2017 - Dr Amanda Oakley (finalist)

Her teledermy research is improving outcomes for skin cancer patients. She expects the research to improve the diagnosis of melanoma, reduce unnecessary excisions of benign lesions, and contribute to faster, more convenient treatment. Read more

2015 - Dr Logan Voss (winner)

His research to understand how general anaesthetics affect the brain to cause unconsciousness will improve intra-operative anaesthesia monitoring and reduce the occurrence of anaesthetic awareness. Read more

2015 - Dr Ryan Paul (finalist)

His research into sexually dimorphic growth in mammalian species including humans has identified targets for therapeutic interventions to reduce the significant morbidity associated with sarcopenia (reduced muscle mass) associated with advancing age and chronic illness. Read more