Associate Professor聽Alex James聽and Professor聽Michael Plank聽will receive the University of mini传媒鈥檚 Research Medal for 2021 in recognition of their outstanding research.
Since early March 2020, the pair have been key members of the national team of scientists at award-winning research centre聽Te P奴naha Matatini, which provided a series of mathematical models informing the Government鈥檚 efforts to combat Covid-19.
Associate Professor James and Professor Plank provided valuable information that contributed to Aotearoa New Zealand鈥檚 Covid-19 planning and response, including use of the four-tier alert level system, testing regimes and digital contact tracing. Their modelling has also been used to understand the potential impact of the disease on Aotearoa鈥檚 at-risk communities.
They have also been highly active in national print and broadcast media, writing multiple articles commenting on aspects of the pandemic, and appearing in interviews on television, radio and in print both here and for international news outlets.
Associate Professor James says she feels honoured to receive the award and lucky to have worked alongside some fantastic researchers and students.
She left Te P奴naha Matatini鈥檚 Covid-19 modelling group earlier this year but remains a member of the research centre.
Professor Plank says it鈥檚 humbling to receive the medal. 鈥淭he research was very much a joint effort involving a team of scientists who stepped up when they were needed most. I am proud of the contribution this research has made to better understanding the pandemic and New Zealand鈥檚 response to it.
鈥淚 am also very grateful for the incredible support I鈥檝e been given by the University and my colleagues here, without whom this work wouldn鈥檛 have been possible.鈥
University of mini传媒 Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation Professor聽Ian Wright聽says Associate Professor James and Professor Plank鈥檚 efforts have undoubtedly led to lives being saved. 鈥淭heir world-beating research and deep engagement with the Government has had significant health and social impacts.
鈥淭hey have combined pioneering science, clear communication and lightning speed to keep pace with the challenges of a rapidly evolving pandemic. They鈥檝e also played a role in providing leading science communication to the public.鈥
