Prof Taylor received the inaugural dean's research medal at the Dunedin School of Medicine and the Southern District Health Board's joint health research excellence awards.
Medical school dean Dr John Adams said the award recognised Prof Taylor's overall success in research, and ability to organise large teams, develop projects, and attract funding.
Prof Taylor is head of department for women's and children's health.
His research focused on the role of sleep in childhood health, particularly mortality, obesity, and learning.
Dr Adams acknowledged the new annual award was launched this week in place of the centrepiece $50,000 research development investment grant usually announced at the ceremony.
He urged the researchers to "rethink and resubmit" their applications when the grant was readvertised in the next few days.
Other research awards announced this week included. -Southern DHB nursing, midwifery and allied practitioners awards: Dr Kumari Fernando, clinical psychologist, $5000; Ruth Harvie, professional director of dietetics, $3000; Frances McCaffrey and Jo Robertson, nurses, $3000.
Research publication awards: Dr Kirsten Coppell, Edgar National Centre for diabetes and obesity research, $1000; Dr Brian Cox, department of preventive and social medicine, $1000; Dr Tania Slatter, department of pathology, $1000.
PhD student research publication award: Jenny Rhodes, department of pathology, $2000.