Hot off the Press -Agresearch Media Release two honoured by Royal Society of New Zealand

Two from AgResearch honoured by the Royal Society of New Zealand

12 November 2008

A prominent AgResearch Scientist, Dr Bryce Buddle, has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ), while AgResearch CEO, Dr Andrew West, received the Thomson Medal for outstanding and inspirational leadership in the management of science.

Dr Buddle, based at the Hopkirk Research Institute in Palmerston North, is one of ten new Fellows elected by the Royal Society for their innovative science that is being carried out in New Zealand across the range of universities and scientific institutes.

Dr Buddle is part of AgResearch’s Animal Health Section and his specialist area of work includes immunology, microbiology, and applied science, covering a range of diseases. He was elected to the Fellowship of the RSNZ for his focus and understanding of the response of hosts to disease agents, and how to produce vaccines and improve diagnosis.

Dr Buddle says being elected to Fellowship of the RSNZ is an acknowledgement by the New Zealand science community that science within AgResearch is of the highest quality.

This is the second time in weeks that Dr Buddle’s work has been recognised by the Royal Society. He also received the Hutton Medal in Animal Sciences for his longstanding work in controlling infectious diseases. This world-leading research has reduced disease in cattle, deer and wildlife in natural and farming environments. Dr Buddle is currently concentrating on research in tuberculosis in wildlife and cattle. He also leads a new research programme to develop a vaccine to reduce methane emissions by ruminant animals.

And, following in the footsteps of some of New Zealand’s most respected science leaders, AgResearch CEO, Dr Andrew West was named this year’s recipient of the RSNZ Thompson medal. This medal is awarded annually for outstanding and inspirational leadership in the management of science.

Dr West, who is also Chairman of Science New Zealand, which represents all nine Crown Research Institutes, says it is an honour to receive such an award from the Royal Society on behalf of the scientific community and that the achievement recognised the culmination of many individuals’ contributions and assistance.