Sir Murray Brennan, who has received a knighthood for his services to medicine. Photo by Linda Robertson.

A University of Otago graduate and a surgeon and researcher based in New York, the 74-year-old's clinical trials have produced major findings in the management of patients with soft-tissue sarcomas and pancreatic cancer.

He has helped create the world's largest database of sarcoma patients and developed a computer program that will help doctors predict patients' response to treatments and chances of surviving.

Sir Murray has been recognised for his life's work with one of the country's most senior honours,

Grand Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in the New Year Honours.

The appointments are limited to a maximum of 30 living people at one time.

Sir Murray said it was ''really special'' to be recognised in the country where he began studies as an Otago medical student in the 1960s and worked as a medical registrar at Dunedin Hospital.

He was ''very grateful'' for his Otago education and said the Otago Medical School was ''one of the finest medical schools in the world''.

During his medical studies, he played rugby for Otago, as a centre, was president of the Otago University Students' Association and completed a degree in mathematics.

In 1997, he received an honorary doctor of science degree from Otago University.

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Recognition 'really special'