Prof awarded highest research honours
RESEARCH on understanding signalling networks that regulate how cells respond to stress, has resulted in celebrations for Associate Prof Peter Mace.
The leading biochemistry structural biologist has been awarded one of the University of Otago’s highest research honours — the 2022 Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal.
The annual award promotes research at the university and recognises the outstanding research performance of early career staff.
‘‘It’s really rewarding to have this recognition, not just for myself, but for all the hard work put in by my research staff and students, who go above and beyond,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve also had great collaborative support from the university and from my peers across the country, in Australia and beyond.
‘‘It’s great validation that you are doing internationally significant research — that you’re on the right path.’’
Prof Mace said his overall goal was to decipher how specific proteins were regulated in normal and diseased cells, and to translate this into more effective disease therapy.
His research has uncovered multiple protein structures relevant to cancer treatment.
Originally from Tokoroa in the North Island, Prof Mace came to the university to study medicine.
That was when he discovered he was most interested in how things worked at the molecular level.
‘‘That’s driven my fascination with science ever since.’’
The New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology president was appointed as a research fellow in the biochemistry department in 2013 after having been awarded a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship.
Through his publications, he has contributed new information and innovative technical expertise to the international protein biology community.