Awards celebrate research excellence and innovation
24 October 2025
Celebrating Research Excellence Awards 2025 recognise University's top researchers, research support staff and best doctoral theses.
The Group Chief Executive Amelia Linzey of BECA, posed a series of ‘pearly’ questions as the keynote speaker at the University’s Celebrating Research Excellence Awards 2025 – Hīkina Kia Tutuki, Rise to meet the challenge.
Linzey said: “I thought it would be incredibly patronizing to come and impart wisdom . So instead, and in the name of curiosity, I have framed ‘pearly’ questions, seeds of what might become pearls of wisdom of the future. They are front of mind for me as a leader of our business and a firm that thinks about where and what are the challenges that we're facing for our future.”
Her bold questions covered the major issues of our times. How can we invest emotionality and diversity into AI? What do we need to build collective prosperity? What does leadership from New Zealand look like and how can it be distinctive? And finally how to honour and share the unique gifts of Aotearoa New Zealand, from our treasured environment to indigenous Māori knowledge.
She said: “Diversity of thought is the fundamental pillar of a growth mindset. It helps us see how we can bring difference together and practical tools to think about how we can solve problems in new ways.”
The challenge, she said, was how BECA, the country and Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, respond to this in meaningful and impactful ways.
The awards host Professor Frank Bloomfield, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation congratulated the 2025 awardees, from eminent and senior academics to early career researchers, professional staff providing essential support and the postgraduates awarded best thesis.
He said: “Your work, spanning fundamental breakthroughs and real-world solutions, demonstrates why research excellence must be protected and championed. You show us what it means to rise to meet the challenge: To ask harder questions, seek out valuable collaborations and engage diverse communities to ensure that knowledge benefits the greatest number of people across Aotearoa and the wider world.”
The recipients of the 2025 Research Excellence Medals explain their work.
Professor Donaldson and colleagues at the Molecular Vision Research Cluster focus on age-related nuclear (ARN) cataract, the leading cause of untreated blindness. Their most significant breakthrough has been redefining how the eye lens is understood.
Researchers discovered that the lens actively maintains its function through a unique internal microcirculation system. This system helps deliver antioxidants and nutrients, control volume and preserve clarity – insights that have transformed cataract science globally.
Professor Caroline Foster, Law, is an expert on international law and how international legal systems can be used to protect the environment and human health.
Professor Webber, Faculty of Arts and Education, explores how mātauranga Māori and social psychology can redefine success for Māori learners by placing Māori knowledge, values, and community perspectives at the heart. This has reshaped the way education is delivered and understood across the country.
The awards are a spotlight on the research excellence of academics, and the event an opportunity to share with family and whānau. For Judith Sabion, it meant making a trip of 13,700km from her home in Trinidad and Tobago to see her son Dr Justin Sabion honoured with a best thesis award.
Also making the trip was Justin’s aunt Ingrid Dawepo, who journeyed from New York, a slightly longer trip. Judith Sabion said, “We wanted to be here for Justin. He’s done so well and it’s important that we can be here for him.” She was looking forward to spending time on Waiheke Island and having a break before making the journey home.
Media contact: mediateam@auckland.ac.nz