The most prestigious awards went to Dr Kirsten Coppell and Associate Prof David Craig, who both received the $100,000 research development investment award, and Prof Andre van Rij, who received the dean's medal for research excellence for his long-standing contribution to research.
Prof van Rij was recognised for his long-standing contribution and excellence in departmental and school research development.
University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne said the medical school was a major contributor to the university's reputation as an outstanding research institution.
"What distinguishes a great university from the rest is the quality of the research," Prof Hayne said.
Medical school dean Dr John Adams said it was a "very clear" decision choosing Prof van Rij, who joined the staff of the school in 1981, for the dean's medal for research excellence.
He had made "a huge and very effective contribution to research in our school and in the DHB" and authored eight books, 10 book chapters and about 170 refereed journal articles.
As well as being an eminent researcher in his own field of vascular surgery, Prof van Rij had an exceptional history in research leadership, Dr Adams said.
Dr Coppell, from the Department of Medicine, will use the $100,000 investment award for research into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the potential for lifestyle intervention.
The disease is now the most common liver disease in the Western world, affecting up to 30% of all adults.
Prof Craig, from the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, will use his $100,000 award for a project titled "building community research capability in early lifecourse interventions".
The goal of this project is to establish research partnerships with Maori-led education and health organisations.
Dr Lyndell Kelly received $12,700 through the SDHB's clinical research award for her research into pancreatic cancer, which is almost always incurable at diagnosis.
Dr Kelly's research will explore how pancreatic cells proliferate in the ducts, where the cancer most often originates, with a view to finding a genetic switch that turns off this proliferation.
Other award recipients were.-
Research project initiative: Dr Jana Morgan, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Nursing, midwifery and allied health practitioners: Pauline Dawson, registered midwife.
Research support person: Geraldine Hill, department of surgical sciences.
Research publication: Dr Lianne Parkin, department of preventive and social medicine; Prof Barry Taylor, department of women's and children's health [$1000]; Associate Prof Kate Scott, department of psychological medicine.
Best published paper by a PhD student: Sarah Holman, department of women's and children's health.
Posters: Dr Barbara Galland, department of women's and children's health; Dr Omid Ahmadi, departments of medicine, preventive and social medicine and surgical sciences; Kate Thomas, department of surgical sciences.
Summer studentship prize: Betty Kao, supervised by the department of women's and children's health.
