Neuroscientist’s brain gains tall poppy award

Media release
EMBARGOED until 10pm Wednesday, March 24 2010

Neuroscientist’s brain gains tall poppy award

Professor Richard Faull – Supreme Winner
2010 World Class New Zealand Awards

Neuroscientist Professor Richard Faull, whose world-leading research on the human brain has led to new insights into the treatment of brain disease, has been named the Supreme Winner of the 2010 World Class New Zealand Awards.

The annual awards, presented by Kea New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, are an important celebration of New Zealand innovators and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the country’s growth and development.

Professor Faull is recognised internationally as a leading expert on neurodegenerative diseases of the human brain.

His research spans 35 years and encompasses all major regions of the brain and spinal cord, the science of the diseased human brain in Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and epilepsy.

His research provided the first evidence the diseased human brain can repair itself by the generation of new brain cells.

Professor Faull is based at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at The University of Auckland, where he is Director of the Centre for Brain Research and founded the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank – an internationally-recognised resource providing tissue for leading research programmes on Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

Kea co-founder and chair of judges Sir Stephen Tindall says Richard Faull’s achievements are ground-breaking and he is a wonderful example of a New Zealander whose success and talent places them amongst the best in their field.

“With outstanding accomplishments that have far reaching implications, Richard is a true champion of New Zealand.”

Professor Faull was celebrated as the Supreme Winner alongside eight category winners in a range of industries ranging from biotechnology to finance. These included: Orion Health founder Ian McCrae, engineer Sir Ron Carter, neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman and the New York-based president of Time Warner Global Media Group, Mark D’Arcy.

This year’s event saw the inaugural ‘Friend of New Zealand’ award presented to New York-based investor and philanthropist Julian Robertson. This award is intended for a non-Kiwi and was introduced this year to recognise a wider community of people working to build global connections with New Zealand and helping to support Kiwi businesses internationally.

All awards were presented at The Langham Hotel in Auckland on March 24, where winners received the World Class New Zealand tall poppy statuette, designed by Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop – 2009 Supreme winner.

The World Class New Zealand Awards have been running for seven years and Sir Stephen Tindall says the dinner has become a highly anticipated event – often serving to promote the great achievements that are beyond the radar of many Kiwis.

“It’s important we recognise and celebrate successful New Zealanders. It’s exciting to see the awards continuing to grow and we’ve only just touched on the number of talented New Zealanders out there.”

The judging panel for the 2010 World Class New Zealand Awards includes:

• Sir Stephen Tindall
Chair of judging panel
Founder and chair of The Warehouse Group, Kea chair
• Jon Mayson
NZTE chair, former chair of Ports of Tauranga
• John Stace
Former deputy chair Lloyds of London, Kea board member and professional director
• Jane Hunter
Hunter’s Wines, 2009 WCNZ Manufacturing Award winner
• Rod Drury
Chief executive, Xero, 2008 WCNZ ICT Award winner
• Professor Sir Peter Gluckman
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Science, Research and Technology and 2006 WCNZ Research, Science, Technology & Academia winner.

Nominees are evaluated against five main criteria, with a focus on promoting New Zealand internationally, building global connections and facilitating the exchange of information, knowledge and skills from and about the country.

The full list of 2010 World Class New Zealand Awards’ recipients is included below.

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