Dr Donald Wilson receiving his prize and certificate from the FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba at the at the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards Night.

Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences (CMNHS), Dr Donald Wilson, was awarded the prestigious Research Excellence—Staff award during the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards this year.

Dr Wilson’s path exemplifies dedication and perseverance. After his parents separated, he spent his formative years living with his grandmother under modest conditions.

Despite the challenges, Dr Wilson excelled academically, eventually graduating from FNU, then known as the Fiji School of Medicine’s, Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS) programme in 1997.

“I am grateful and humbled by this recognition,” said Dr Wilson.

“Research has the power to transform lives, and I’ve always believed in paying it forward.”

He pursued further education in Japan, earning a PhD in Medicine (Epidemiology) and later working as an assistant professor focused on toxicology, public health, and environmental epidemiology.

Returning to Fiji in 2016, Dr Wilson joined FNU and was instrumental in establishing the Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research (FIPHR), overseeing its strategic plan, and contributing to the recognition of its C-POND research centre as a WHO Collaborating Centre. Through his leadership, the College has secured significant research funding and facilitated important publications, staff qualification upgrades, and capacity-building activities.

“Building a strong research culture takes collaboration and a belief in the potential of our people,” Dr Wilson remarked. “This award is a testament to the hard work of our entire team at CMNHS.”

In addition to the recognition, Dr Wilson received $10,000, which he has pledged to use to support a needy student’s educational aspirations.

“Over the years, besides conducting research and capacity building, I have been helping students who are in need of education expenses, and I am grateful that this prize will be able to help another student achieve his or her dreams through education at CMNHS,” he said.

“I am grateful to be nominated and thankful to the assessing Committee and to Madam Vice-Chancellor for the recognition and this award.”