Prof Herbison, of the university's centre for neuroendocrinology, was delighted to receive the award, presented at a science honours dinner in Auckland.
The award was made for an outstanding contribution to the health and medical sciences in the field of neuroscience and neuroendocrinology.
"There's nothing better than awards that have been selected from your own peers," he said in an interview.
The medal provided a "nice recognition" of world-class research being undertaken by Otago researchers at the Otago centre and by collaborators at Cambridge University.
"We are truly international leaders in that field," he said.
Research council officials said his "breakthrough" research showed a small protein molecule called kisspeptin played a crucial role within the brain in triggering ovulation.
His research, published last year, described the process by which a small group of nerve cells in the brain, called gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, were activated, thereby triggering the hormone surge that leads to ovulation.
This study used an elegant experimental design to show an essential role for kisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54, in the process.
"This is an exciting finding, as people have been trying to find out precisely how the brain controls ovulation for more than 30 years."
The study indicates disorders affecting the signalling between kisspeptin and the GPR54 receptors will result in women being unable to ovulate.
Up to 20% of couples in New Zealand suffer from infertility.
