RNZ reports it is the first time a Pacific scientist has won the award.
An Associate Professor of Biomedical and Health Sciences in immunology, and Pacific Associate Dean, at the University's Wellington campus, Dr Sika-Paotonu has been a leading voice during the covid-19 pandemic.
As a New Zealander of Tongan descent, she has been one of the few Pacific voices qualified to speak in detail on the pandemic, explaining the technical aspects of immunology, vaccines, the virus and infectious diseases to the media.
