2012 M. J. Evans

A portrait of M. J. Evans (1968-76 BAgSc (Hons), PhD), the Bledsloe Medallist, 2012. Dr Margaret Evans is an endocrinologist and equine scientist of international stature. Her achievements in the course of a distinguished scientific career have burnished Lincoln University’s reputation and advanced the country’s interests by helping to consolidate New Zealand as a leader in equine reproduction research. Dr Evans’ studies with her PhD supervisor, the late Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Science Cliff Irvine, helped establish Lincoln University and New Zealand as an international hub of equine research. It was Professor Irvine who pioneered a technique for extracting hormones from inside the brain of a living mammal, the horse, and whose landmark studies in equine reproductive physiology came to serve as a model for human neuroendocrinology. They were inspiring times for all at Lincoln University associated with the work. Dr Evans’ research has had economic value through enabling the New Zealand horse breeding industry to operate more efficiently and to improve the quality of its product. Her advice and collaboration remain in high demand worldwide from scientists studying equine reproduction.