BMS Awards & Christmas Function 2017
A great ending for a successful year!
The annual BMS awards ceremony and Christmas function was held on Friday, which saw numerous staff from across the School receive awards for their outstanding performances.
Associate Dean Academic Associate Professor Pat Cragg presented the teaching awards, which were given to Nurit Reichman (Teaching Support) and Dr Rebecca Bird (Distinguished PPF/TF). Associate Professor Fiona McDonald took home the Distinguished Academic Teacher award for her tireless attention to detail and exemplary teaching and leadership record.
Next, Associate Dean Research Dr Rebecca Campbell presented a selection of the School’s Research awards. These were awarded to Dr Ilona Kokay (Focused Contribution), Jim Woods and Leo van Rens from the Emtech Workshop (Sustained Contribution), Andrew McNaughton (Distinguished Contribution) and Associate Professor George Dias (Commercialization Researcher).
Dr Campbell also presented the 2017 Best Researcher Paper Award, which for the first time in the School’s history was awarded jointly to Professor Sally McCormick for her paper on “Recycling of apolipoprotein(a) after PlgRKT mediated endocytosis of lipoprotein(a)”, and to Associate Professor Peter Fineran for his paper Quorum Sensing Controls Adaptive Immunity through the Regulation of Multiple CRISPR-Cas Systems”. Both papers were in high impact journals, and have had significant impact in their respective fields.
Deputy Vice Chancellor External Engagement (and former Dean of the School) Professor Helen Nicholson presented the Kaupapa Maori and Pacifika research Awards. Professor Lisa Matisoo-Smith was awarded the Kaupapa Maori Research award, and Dr Jo-Ann Stanton was the Pacifika award winner.
Professor Vernon Ward, Dean of BMS presented the final awards. The Emerging Researcher award, which was given to Associate Professor Niels Hammer and the prestigious final award of Distinguished Researcher was given to Associate Professor Peter Fineran. Peter was unable to attend in person as he was at a conference in Germany, but he submitted a very gracious video acceptance that was played at the event.
Unfortunately, many of the award recipients weren’t able to attend the event, but overall, it was a great success as we reflected on the year and the incredible successes achieved. Including over $45 million in external research grants, a record for the School!
Well done everyone and have a safe and special Christmas break. See you in 2018!
The BMS Dean’s Office
Health Science First Year Information Sessions – September 2017
HSFY SEMINAR
We had an amazing response from our Health Science First Year students who were keen to interact with our department champions and gain support and direction with their degrees!
The School of Biomedical Sciences held two course information and advice sessions targeted to our first year students during 4-6pm on Monday 2nd and Friday 6th October, 2017. 
The Departments and programmes (Genetics and Neuroscience) set up stations in the St David atrium area which were stationed by 2-4 representatives. These stations became extremely popular with the students, with lines often extending down the corridors.
A powerpoint presentation containing general course advice was run simultaneously in Seminar Room 1. This also proved to be a huge success in providing clarification and overview to students.
The busiest times were between 4-5.15pm.
We estimate that over 200 students visited the area over the two days.
About 60 students attended the general advice sessions and students visited multiple tables to talk about specific majors and degrees.
Some of the questions asked by students included: What is the difference between a BSc and BBiomedSc degree?
What do the different majors entail?
What job can I get at the end of my degree?
Can I do arts papers in my BSc?
Where can I find out more about the BHealSc?
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and expertise, we look forward to doing it again next year!
Emma
BMS Promotions
