Gastrointestinal research rewarded

11 November 2025 - Professor Leo Cheng has had a very good week.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday he had two notable successes: the bestowal of a MacDiarmid Medal from the Royal Society Te Apārangi awards, and then the awarding of a $941,000 research grant from the Marsden Fund.

Professor Leo Cheng, of the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, at the University of Auckland, is  a Principal Investigator at the Riddet Institute. He leads the Gastrointestinal Motility Research Group.

Last week’s MacDiarmid Medal recognises his outstanding scientific research that has demonstrated its potential for application to human benefit.

Professor Cheng has developed world-leading techniques to record and analyse electrical activity in the body, opening new frontiers for diagnosing and treating gut-motility disorders.

By combining mathematical modelling with experimental research, Prof Cheng’s team has revealed how disordered electrical signals in the gut cause debilitating symptoms such as chronic nausea.

His research has informed the creation of new diagnostic biomarkers and therapies, including gastric electrical pacing. He acknowledged the hard work and contributions of students and colleagues and the support of friends and family, especially his wife.

“My wife's patience and support has carried me throughout this journey – this award is as much hers as it is mine.”

Royal Society Te Apārangi awards highlight the impact of world-leading research and science communication. The awards recognise outstanding contributions to science, communication and society, that have clear benefits for New Zealand. Recipients can span the gamut of research expertise, from social psychology to the discovery of innovative medical treatments.

The Marsden Funding will go towards looking at “lighting up the dark side of the stomach”, furthering research into the electromechanical mapping of stomach function.