MB ChB; FRACP; PhD
Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of Otago, Christchurch
Clinical Director of Gastroenterology at Waitata/Canterbury, and Gastroenterologist Christchurch Hospital
My undergraduate medical education was through the University of Otago. I completed dual specialist training in gastroenterology and clinical pharmacology at Christchurch Hospital, and Westmead Hospital in Sydney. PhD research was in molecular pharmacology and cholestasis through the University of Sydney at the Storr Liver Unit (Sydney), with project work also undertaken at the Salk Institute (California). I also worked in the global drug safety division of a major pharmaceutical company.
On my return to Christchurch Hospital as a consultant gastroenterologist, I commenced clinical research work in new antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, and have been a key researcher in this field as a principal investigator in over 60 clinical trials including early phase trials, and many proof of concept trials of new antiviral therapy. Other research interests include epidemiology of autoimmune liver diseases, with key work understanding the impact of these diseases on morbidity and mortality of people affected by these conditions. I was awarded a University of Otago, Christchurch, Research Gold Medal in 2019.
Recent leadership appointments have included chairperson of the South Island Hepatitis C Workstream, current Clinical Director of Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital, and current President of the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology. I was the first female gastroenterologist to have an appointment as a Professor of Medicine in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
