The Sir Peter Gluckman Medal is the premier recognition of research within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
Professor Julian Paton from the Department of Physiology is the 2024 recipient. He arrived in October 2017 and set to work on establishing the Faculty’s first centre for heart research – Manaaki Manawa in July 2019. Through philanthropy, Manaaki Manawa now supports many clinical and biomedical researchers.
During this period, relationships were established that led to a new Centre of Research Excellence – Pūtahi Manawa, which he co-directs. This has cross-linked heart centres and communities nationwide, providing unique opportunities for improving heart health equity for Māori and Pacific Peoples.
His research has led to the invention of a unique pacemaker that mimics Mother Nature’s way of pacing, which is now in clinical trials. His interest in giraffe physiology has led to unique discoveries of lowering blood pressure in those with high blood pressure.