Celebrating Research 2026
Celebrating Research 2026 is our annual showcase recognising excellence, innovation, and emerging talent across Aotearoa’s research community.
On Thursday 29 October 2026 clinicians, researchers, hospital leaders, emerging investigators, and academic partners came together at Ko Awatea for Celebrating Research 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 AWARD WINNERS
Celebrating Research Award Winners
Commercial Research Award – Dr John Baker $1000 - sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
The Commercial Research Award recognises an investigator who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in commercial clinical research while helping strengthen research capability and opportunities for future generations. An investigator who continues to position Middlemore Hospital, Aotearoa Clinical trials and Aotearoa New Zealand at the forefront of international clinical research.
This year's recipient has built a highly successful commercial research portfolio while simultaneously advancing investigator-led research and supporting the growth of research capability across the organisation.
His work exemplifies the unique ACTT model, where commercial clinical research not only provides patients with access to innovative therapies but also helps fund and enable further clinician-led research.
Over the past year, he has contributed to internationally significant research, including publications in leading journals and participation in groundbreaking studies involving CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology and early-phase clinical trials.
His work is helping to shape the future of medicine while ensuring patients in Aotearoa New Zealand have access to some of the world's most innovative treatments.
What makes his contribution particularly noteworthy is his commitment to building a sustainable research ecosystem. He has demonstrated how commercial research can be leveraged to create opportunities for new discoveries, strengthen departmental capability, support future researchers and ultimately improve health outcomes for New Zealanders.
Congratulations to the recipient of the 2026 Commercial Research Award, Dr John Baker.
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Non-Commercial Research Award – Dr Eunicia Tan $1000 – sponsored by F&P Healthcare Foundation
This award recognises excellence in investigator-led and non-commercial research, celebrating those whose work expands knowledge, strengthens research capability and improves patient care.
The recipient has played a pivotal role in the growth of Emergency Department research at Middlemore Hospital. Through a commitment to research excellence, she has helped establish a thriving research culture, contributed to high-impact publications, and built a high-performing Emergency Department research team.
Her leadership has created opportunities for patients to participate in research and for staff to develop their own research capability. Just as importantly, she has fostered and supported emerging researchers, helping to build a sustainable foundation for future research success.
Her dedication, vision and commitment have made a significant contribution to research at Middlemore Hospital and to improving healthcare through evidence-based practice.
The recipient of the 2026 Non-Commercial Research Award is Dr Eunicia Tan.
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Emerging Researcher Award – Georgia Doyle $1000 – sponsored by AMRF
This award recognises an emerging researcher who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership and potential in advancing clinical research.
The recipient has been a Research Nurse in the Middlemore Emergency Department for almost six years and now leads the Emergency Department Research Nurse team.
Throughout that time, she has played an important role in supporting the growth and delivery of Emergency Department research, helping translate research opportunities into meaningful outcomes for patients and clinicians alike.
In addition to her work within the Emergency Department, she has provided Research Nurse support for the BALANCE+ infectious diseases study hosted by Aotearoa Clinical Trials, demonstrating a strong commitment to collaborative research across services.
Respected by colleagues for her professionalism, expertise and dedication, she exemplifies the next generation of research leadership and has already made a significant contribution to clinical research at Middlemore Hospital.
The recipient of the 2026 Emerging Researcher Award is Georgia Doyle.
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POSTER AWARD WINNERS
Winning Poster Award, research prize value $1000 – awarded to Suzy Barber
Awarded for the highest-ranked poster presentation, demonstrating exceptional scientific merit, relevance, impact, innovation and presentation quality.
Runner-up Poster Award, research prize value $750 – awarded to Lisa Hoyle
Awarded in recognition of an outstanding poster presentation demonstrating excellence in scientific merit, relevance, impact, innovation and presentation quality.
Emerging Research Poster Award, research prize value $500 - awarded to Lee Carter
Awarded in recognition of an outstanding emerging researcher whose poster demonstrated excellence in scientific merit, relevance, impact, innovation and presentation quality.
People's Choice Poster Award, research prize value $500 - awarded to Lee Carter
Awarded in recognition of the poster presentation selected by attendees as their favourite at Celebrating Research 2026.
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PROGRAMME:
2:00 - 3:30pm Poster competition presentations for top 10
3:30 - 4:30pm Booths conference style booths and networking
4:30 - 5:00pm Welcome / Karakia
5:00 - 6:15pm Research in 5 - 5 minute presentations from different Departments
6:15 - 6:45pm Break and booth networking
6:45 - 7:15pm Awards and speeches
7:15 - 7:30pm mingling to close
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our event sponsors and partners.
This educational programme is supported by a sponsorship provided by Boehringer Ingelheim.
The F&P Healthcare Foundation is committed to supporting pathways into STEM careers, particularly within the health sector. We are proud to support Celebrating Research as part of our commitment to community-based research in South Auckland, focusing on health and wellbeing outcomes that help create the foundations for meaningful engagement in education, lifelong learning, and future career opportunities.
At the Auckland Medical Research Foundation, we are proud to support the dedicated researchers featured in Research Week, whose work is advancing knowledge and driving treatment breakthroughs that have the potential to improve lives. Every step forward is made possible by the commitment of researchers, participants, and supporters working together toward better outcomes for patients and whānau. To learn more about the researchers making a difference and the impact your generosity has on their work, visit our website.
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Celebrating the Impact of Research
From improving patient care and service delivery to advancing new treatments and clinical innovations, the projects presented throughout the day demonstrated the significant contribution research makes across our health system.
A highlight of the programme was the Research in 5 session, where presenters from a range of specialties shared their work through concise and engaging five-minute presentations, showcasing the diversity and strength of research activity across our organisation.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who presented, exhibited, judged, sponsored, volunteered, and attended Celebrating Research 2026. Your commitment to research, innovation, and continuous improvement is helping create better health outcomes for our communities and shaping the future of healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand.
