This prestigious national prize is awarded to students who have been recommended for their experience and achievements in paediatrics. Mr Dunne was nominated for the award by Marianne Thoresen, Professor of Neonatal Neuroscience.

The prize included an invitation to the RCPCH annual conference in York (14-17 April 2008). Certificates were presented on the opening day of the conference. ‘It was a tremendous honour to be invited to such a prestigious event’ said Mr Dunne. ‘It also provided a unique opportunity to learn from leading paediatricians.’

Professor Thoresen said: 'It is a pleasure and an inspiration to meet and supervise such motivated and interesting students as Jonathan. We are always pleased when students choose subjects within Newborn and Maternal Medicine; in fact, a University of Bristol student also won this prize in 2006.'

It is not the first time that Mr Dunne has distinguished himself in the field of neonatal medicine. Last year, he won a Neonatal Society bursary for a project carried out in Delhi on diabetes in pregnancy.