Congratulations to Luke Geddes - Renshaw Prize winner

11/06/2025

The OMRF would like to congratulate Luke Geddes – the recipient of the Renshaw Prize for 2024.

The Renshaw Prize is named after one of the founders of the Otago Medical Research Foundation, the late Dr P K Renshaw. The $250 prize is awarded to the Summer Research Student, who in the opinion of the OMRF Scientific Committee, has made the most worthwhile contribution to medical research in that particular year.

Luke was supervised by Dr Indranil Basak in the Department of Biochemistry for his project which focused on the role of astrocytes (support cells) in the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Luke’s research highlighted that by examining how these cells contribute to neuron death, there is potential to develop more effective treatments that target both neurons and astrocytes, potentially slowing or even preventing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Luke’s project was funded by the Aotearoa Gaming Trust, who we thank for their support.

Luke was delighted with being awarded the Renshaw Prize but also for the opportunity to undertake a summer research project.

“For the OMRF to give me the opportunity to work with Indranil Basak and his team on groundbreaking Parkinson's research has been a real privilege. In just a few months, we managed to obtain some very insightful data on the behaviour of ATP13A2-deficient (early-onset Parkinson's disease) neurons. This research has continued to fuel my desire to make a difference for families who face the realities of neurodegenerative conditions every day.

I'm really grateful to Indranil Basak, Stephanie Hughes, Tim Vorozhbit, Luca Gray, Kirstin McDonald, Caroline Stokes and Priyal Dass in particular for being such great mentors which would certainly not have been possible without OMRF providing this opportunity. I can't wait to pay forward all their guidance one day!”

Whilst Luke is taking a break from science this year, he hopes to complete a PhD in the future. In the meantime, Luke is off to Paris to study French and International Relations at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and we wish him all the best.