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Success for STC Old Boy

University of Otago —

Professor Stephen Robertson (left) with the Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine Professor Barry Taylor, after Professor Robertson won the Dean’s Medal for Research Excellence at the Health Research Excellence Awards. Photos: Jacqui Hay.

University of Otago Curekids Professor of Paediatric Genetics Stephen Robertson is considered an outstanding leader in his field internationally, and last night his achievements were formally recognised closer to home at the Health Research Excellence Awards in Dunedin.

Professor Robertson, who continues to be an active clinical geneticist attached to Genetic Health Services New Zealand, in addition to teaching genetics to science and medical students, was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Research Excellence. This is awarded for exceptional and sustained work in research in the Dunedin School of Medicine.

"His discoveries in understanding how our genes translate to development, especially of the brain, have led the world."

From 1999 to 2002 he held a Nuffield Medical Fellowship at the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Oxford University, studying the genetic basis of a set of genetic disorders characterised by severe life-limiting malformations in children. As a result, he has identified several genes which lead to malformations in children, with a particular focus on conditions that affect the skeleton and brain.

Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine, Professor Barry Taylor says Professor Robertson is one of the School’s outstanding clinician scientists.

“His discoveries in understanding how our genes translate to development, especially of the brain, have led the world,” Professor Taylor says.