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 number of clinical scientists based at or working with Waikato DHB have been finalists and winners of the Medical Science Award category:

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