Research scholarships awarded

University of Otago Medical School scholarship recipients (from left) William Muller (21), Luke...
University of Otago Medical School scholarship recipients (from left) William Muller (21), Luke Bridgman (20), Andrew Sampson (21), Rose Melchers (20) and Alex Barron (21) outside the Hunter Centre in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

Exploring people's change in identity during dementia is one of the many research projects to be undertaken by University of Otago Medical School scholarship recipients.

Eight students were awarded the scholarships at the Hunter Centre in Dunedin yesterday.

The scholarships range from $600 to $8000 and will be used by the students to complete research projects before they return to their normal studies next year.

Most students have completed three years of their degree.

Alex Barron, from the Bioethics Centre, said he would be focusing on how people's identity could be affected by the onset of dementia.

‘‘Some people have suggested they are no longer the same person once they disorientate from events or dates.

‘‘Identity is a very complex thing ... if your biographical memory goes down, you can still preserve your identity.''

His research would partly focus on ways that preservation could be achieved, he said.

Andrew Sampson, from the Dunedin School of Medicine, said he aimed to inspire Maori doctors to embrace their culture in medical practice by profiling the accomplishments of their predecessors.

‘‘It could be as simple as saying ‘Kia Ora','' he said.

‘‘Some people might be uncertain about saying that and it's about telling them ‘that's OK'.''

His research would stretch back as far as Dr Maui Pomare, a New Zealander who graduated with a doctor of medicine degree from the American Medical Missionary College in Chicago in 1899.

‘‘I can show them [current and future doctors] what others have done,'' Mr Sampson said.

Otago Medical School dean Prof Peter Crampton said the scholarships were about investing in the next generation of medical academics.

‘‘We know from past experience many of them will go on to very illustrious research careers.

‘‘These students are very self-motivated. It's not an easy year for them.''

Research was encouraged among medical students because it went hand-in-hand with medical practice, Prof Crampton said.

The scholarships were given out every year, he said.

Scholarship recipients were. -Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust Research Award in Medical Sciences, $8000: Ellie Jarvis, University of Otago Wellington; Rose Melchers, Otago School of Medical Sciences; William Muller, Dunedin School of Medicine.

Tassell Scholarship, $8000: Luke Bridgman, Dunedin School of Medicine.

Otago Medical School Scholarship, $5000: Rebecca Duncan, Dunedin School of Medicine/Bioethics Centre; Hilla Fukofuka, Andrew Sampson, Dunedin School of Medicine.

L.F. Hall Scholarship, $5000: Alex Barron, Bioethics Centre.

A.F.J. Mickle Scholarship, $600: Rose Melchers.

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