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Research Medal for UC’s spider manPublished by the Communications and Development Department
8 November 2004
Professor Robert Jackson from the School of Biological Sciences is the 2004 winner of the University of Canterbury Research Medal.
The medal is awarded annually for excellence in research and will be presented at the December graduation ceremony.
Professor Jackson is a world authority on the evolutionary ecology of invertebrates and an internationally recognised expert on the behaviour of spiders.
His research career spans 30 years, 26 of which have been spent at Canterbury University.
Much of the research work in his UC laboratory has focused on understanding how complex behaviour is organised by animals with a very small nervous system, and what factors influence the evolution of behavioural complexity.
These studies, on a large number of contrasting species, have demonstrated how spider webs, visual stimuli and pheromones act as communication mechanisms.
Professor Jackson has established at Canterbury University a state-of-the-art, high technology spider quarantine laboratory which houses thousands of spiders.
Many different spider species are reared regularly in very large numbers, enabling research work to be carried out on exceptionally large sample sizes.
Professor Jackson is regarded by his peers as a leading and prolific researcher in his field.
One of several former colleagues who wrote in support of his nomination for the Research Medal recalled a time when he submitted five papers to the New Zealand Journal of Zoology in one day.
Professor Jackson credits the spiders for his prolificity.
“I can’t keep up, the discoveries just keep on happening. These animals keep surprising us so the work is very much driven by them. And there is still a huge amount to learn.
Professor Jackson says he was stunned when he learned he was being awarded the Research Medal.
“This is a real honour but it doesn’t just recognise my efforts, it recognises the work of lots of colleagues.
For further information please contact: John MacDonald Tel: +64-3-364 2910
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