Professor Richard Beasley Receives the Rutherford Medal at the 2024 Royal Society Te Apārangi Research Honours Aotearoa

The Rutherford Medal, Aotearoa New Zealand’s highest scientific honour, has been awarded to Professor Richard Beasley for his transformative contributions to asthma research and treatment.

Presented annually by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, the medal recognises outstanding advancements in science, mathematics, social science, and technology. Established in 1991, it honours the legacy of Ernest Rutherford, New Zealand’s most celebrated scientist and the first person to split the atom.

Professor Beasley’s pioneering four-decade career has revolutionised asthma management both in New Zealand and globally. Richard consistently acknowledges the essential role of his research partners, funders, and the tens of thousands of volunteers who have participated in the clinical trials which have made ground-breaking medical progress possible. He emphasises that his achievements are a reflection of the collective commitment and expertise of multidisciplinary teams united in their goal to improve health outcomes.

As founder and director of the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Professor Beasley has fostered a culture of partnership-driven research that challenges dogma and delivers life-improving outcomes. The Royal Society Te Apārangi’s recognition honours not only his individual accomplishments but also the broader impact of collaborative research in tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Find out more about Professor Beasley’s Rutherford Medal recognition.