$100,000 in medical research awards

Five University of Otago medical research teams were collectively granted just over $100,000 in the latest round of the Otago Medical Research Foundation's Laurenson Awards.

The recipients are Dr John Ashton (pharmacology and toxicology), opioid-induced hyperalgesia and chronic pain syndrome, $23,346; Dr Gregory Giles (pharmacology and toxicology), photoactivated nitric oxide donor drugs as anti-cancer agents, $25,665; Dr Sheila Skeaff (human nutrition) and Associate Prof Ted Ruffman (psychology), effect of iodine supplements on cognition and wellbeing in young adults, $6164; Dr Cherie Stayner and Prof Mike Eccles (pathology), developing a therapy for recessive polycystic kidney disease, $13,000; Prof Rob Walker and Dr Tracey Putt (medical and surgical sciences) and Prof Stephen Duffull and Associate Prof Paul Fawcett (pharmacy), the impact of renal tubular function on drug handling in the elderly, $31,908.

The awards honour the late Alexia and James Laurenson, whose donation to the foundation supports local projects.