Research looking at ways of reducing over-medicating in rest-homes is among 33 University of Otago projects boosted by almost $2 million in Lottery Grants Board funding.
University of Otago researchers gained just over $1.9 million in funding, making up more than half the $3.89 million distributed in the Lottery Health Research 2013-14 funding round.
The grants supported the purchase of scientific equipment, PhD scholarships, and the pursuit of research projects aimed at leading to meaningful health outcomes and community benefit.
The projects included research looking at severe housing deprivation, the creation of a tablet app for autism spectrum disorder and improving the health and wellbeing of older people.
Researchers from the university's three main campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington received 24 translational research grants, seven equipment grants and two PhD scholarships.
PhD pharmacy student Nagham Ailabouni received a grant of $115,950, one of the largest, for her project aimed at reducing the over-medicating of elderly people in residential care.
Ms Ailabouni, a registered pharmacist, said it was a ''great feeling'' being awarded the funding.
The over-medicating of elderly people was a ''very relevant'' topic, given New Zealand's ageing population.
''Certainly, some medicines like anti-psychotics and benzodiazepines for sleep are over-used in rest-homes internationally.
''If we decrease the use of them, that could really improve the quality of life of patients,'' she said.
The number of medicines being prescribed also put a burden on GPs working in rest-homes.
• The other funding recipients were: Dr Max Berry, paediatrics, $40,000; Prof Dawn Elder, paediatrics, $6642; Dr Nick Fleming, pathology, $100,000; Dr Peter Mace, biochemistry, $62,000; Associate Prof Natalie Medlicott, pharmacy, $100,000; Prof Margreet Vissers, pathology, $42,000; Dr Joanna Williams, anatomy, $60,000; Dr Kate Amore, public health, $45,095; Patrick Dawes, surgical sciences, $50,000; Dr Anita Dunbier, biochemistry, $58,254; Prof Mike Eccles, pathology, $86,595; Dr Leigh Ellmers, medicine, $56,156, Associate Prof Ruth Empson, physiology, $21,000; Prof John Evans, obstetrics and gynaecology, $9500; Dr Lyndie Foster Page, dental school, $80,000; Dr Claire Heppenstall, medicine, $52,000; Dr Lisa Houghton, human nutrition, $119,801; Dr Keith Ireton, microbiology and immunology, $56,000; Dr Roslyn Kemp, microbiology and immunology, $45,128; Prof Iain Lamont, biochemistry, $92,144; Dr Erin Macaulay, pathology, $53,000; Dr Sandy Mandic, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, $30,000; Associate Prof Patrick Manning, medicine, $23,822; Associate Prof Sally McCormick, biochemistry, $28,000; Prof Anthony Molteno, medicine, $94,983; Prof Ian Morison, pathology, $95,000; Dr Nishtala Prasad, pharmacy, $50,662; Dr Shakila Rizwan, pharmacy, $30,000; Associate Prof Robert Siebers, medicine, $15,315; Prof Lisa Stamp, medicine, $31,121; Prof Michael Williams, medicine, $37,000; Nagham Ailabouni, pharmacy, $115,950; Ricky Bell, physiotherapy, $120,000.
