Triennial Medal

The concept of a Triennial Medal was adopted by the Society in 1981 and the inaugural Medal was awarded in 1984. 

Regulations (revised 1997):

• The award of the MEDAL of the Physiological Society of New Zealand shall be made every three years in recognition of distinguished original physiological work published by a member of the Society in the previous five years.

• A joint award is permissible if collaborators have made equal contributions.

• Recipients should be active members of the Society.

• The value of the award shall be approximately $500.

• The award shall be in the form of a medal and a certificate.

• Nominations must have the agreement of the nominee and be proposed by a PSNZ member and seconded by two further PSNZ members. One of these PSNZ members must provide a reference indicating rationale for the nomination.

• Supporting information must include copies of relevant publications and a CV specifically written by the nominee for this nomination.  The CV should include a one-page summary of the significance of the research and evidence of active participation in PSNZ.

• Council will appoint a committee to select the recipient.

• The recipient shall be invited to address the Society concerning their work.

• No award shall be made if the Council believes none of the work nominated to merit such recognition.

 How to apply:

Deadline for application July 1st in the year of the award, send nominations by email to the PSNZ Secretary. 

Please include in the email the following details:

1. Name of the nominee

2. Institution

3. Year of PSNZ membership commencement

Please also provide the names of:

a) Nominating person

b) Seconded by (1)

c) Seconded by (2)

Include from the nominee: 

(1) Full curriculum vitae 

(2) One-page summary of the significance of your research and evidence of active participation in the PSNZ.

Note: 

• Nominations can only be submitted by PSNZ members.

• All nominating persons must also notify the PSNZ Secretary confirming their nomination of the nominee.

Previous Recipients:

• 2020 Professor Alistair Jan Gunn, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland – Cardiovascular and neural adaptations of the fetus to labour, and the mechanisms and treatment of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

• 2017 Professor Colin Brown, Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago – Vasopressin neurons contribution to increased blood pressure during the development of hypertension

• 2014 Professor Laura Bennet, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland – Auckland – Whole fetus: a systems physiological approach

• 2011 Professor Allan Herbison, Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago – Understanding the roles of acuate kisspeptin neurons

• 2008 Dr Paul Donaldson, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland – New Insights into Lens Transparency

• 2005 Dr Dave Grattan, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago – Neuroendocrine Adaptations of the Maternal Brain

• 2002 Dr Gergory D Funk, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland – Information Processing in Motoneurons: Making Sense of the Menagerie of Modulators

• 1999 Dr Gary D Housley, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland – ATP-Gated Ion Channels: Reactive Modulators of Cochlear Function

• 1995 Dr John C Montgomery, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland – Function of Mammalian Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus: Clues from the Study of Similar Structures in Fish Brains

• 1992 Dr Bruce J Smaill, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland – The Analysis of Cardiac Function: A Continuum Mechanics Approach

• 1987 Dr Phillipa M Wiggins, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland – Stretched Water and Cellular Events

• 1984 Dr Rufus MG Wells, Department of Zoology, University of Auckland – Gung Ho Physiology: A Comparative Approach to Haemoglobin Function