University of Otago doctoral student Sophia Cameron-Christie has won an inaugural writing competition run by the Otago Medical School Research Society.
Thirty-seven people entered the contest, the results of which were announced at a prizegiving event on campus last night.
Ms Cameron-Christie, who won $500, is a student in the university's department of women's and children's studies, and is investigating the genetic basis of a liver disease in New Zealand children.
The society also awarded a second prize, of $250, to Brigid Ryan, a PhD student in anatomy who is studying how memories are stored in the brain and who aims to better understand Alzheimer's disease.
Society secretary and competition co-ordinator Anita Dunbier said the society sought to encourage postgraduate students to develop skills in ''communicating their research to a lay audience''.
''All too often, scientists carry out really exciting research but only other scientists hear about it.''
The society wanted to inspire the new generation of scientists to ''explain their research and its importance in a way that non-scientists can understand''.
The entries had been a pleasure to read, and illustrated the ''great range of health-related research'' taking place in Dunedin, Dr Dunbier said.
Given the positive response, the society would hold the competition again next year, she said.
