Robin Yang, proud Gordon Sanderson scholar

University of Auckland medical student Robin Yang is the proud recipient of this year’s Gordon Sanderson Scholarship.

“I felt enormously honoured and privileged to be awarded this scholarship,” said Yang, who has just completed his fifth year. “It was unexpected and I’m grateful for the opportunity to further my passion for ophthalmology, particularly in an area that can make a real impact and that can benefit glaucoma patients.”

A Health Research Council Student Research Scholarship recipient (2023) and Velocity Ideas Challenge Winner (2023), Yang said his passion for health sciences is patient-driven. “I want the research and work that I do to always have the patient at the centre. I think ophthalmology is unique as it combines my interests in technology and medicine, to be able to bring meaningful change to a patient’s life.”

The scholarship will support Yang preparing the ethics proposal for an upcoming clinical trial with significance to all New Zealanders living with glaucoma, said Glaucoma New Zealand’s (GNZ’s) general manager Pippa Martin. “The clinical trial will form part of GNZ’s campaign to influence Pharmac to improve the choice of available preservative-free glaucoma drops here. It’s an exciting project and an opportunity to work with a world-leading ophthalmologist, Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer.”

Created in memory of the late Associate Professor Gordon Sanderson, a founding trustee of GNZ and passionate eye-health educator, the scholarship is awarded annually to an optometry or medical student from the Universities of Otago, Sydney or Auckland for research or education in the field of glaucoma.