Canterbury's young scientists have stolen the limelight at the prestigious MacDiarmid Awards in Auckland. Young Christchurch researchers won most of the top awards at last night's Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) gala event.

University of Canterbury mechanical engineering doctoral student Andrew Rudge was named the inaugural MacDiarmid Young Scientist, with Lincoln University master of science student and Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) scientist Nicola Turner runner-up to the title. Rudge and Turner also won the biotechnology and environmental sciences research categories respectively.

Four other Christchurch researchers also grabbed awards – Brett Davis won the agriculture, forestry and fishing section; Aaron Grey, manufacturing and materials; Kelly Barnes, Maori innovation; and Audrey McKinley, people and society (first equal).

Rudge was recognised for his work developing world-leading technology which determines the amount of sedative and painkilling drugs needed to comfort critically ill hospital patients. The innovative new system uses patient monitoring devices to gauge the condition, or agitation of the patient. An algorithm formulated by Rudge uses the collected information to determine an exact pain medication dosage.

Rudge said he was overwhelmed at winning the title, presented by renowned scientist Alan MacDiarmid. Rudge received $2000, the inaugural gold MacDiarmid medal and will travel to Washington in August.

Turner, 27, was runner-up for her study of xenoestrogens in cockles she collected in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary and inside Otago Harbour. Carried out in partnership with the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation, she developed new biological tests for monitoring the levels of these pollutant chemicals.