Dr Tom Mules Awarded NZSG Johnson & Johnson Research Fellowship

Congratulations to Dr Mules, a consultant gastroenterologist and research leader at the Malaghan Institute, will spearhead groundbreaking work on “Defining Mucosa-Associated Microbial and Metabolic Mechanisms in PSC–IBD Pathogenesis.”

About the Research

This innovative project aims to uncover how gut microbes and bile acids interact to drive inflammation in patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Using advanced omics technologies—metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics—the study will analyze tissue samples from PSC–IBD patients, IBD-only patients, and healthy controls.

Proposed Outcomes

The research is expected to:

• Identify microbial and metabolic signatures linked to PSC–IBD.

• Clarify mechanisms within the gut–liver axis that influence disease progression.

• Lay the foundation for novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient care.

Collaborators

Dr Mules will work alongside a multidisciplinary team, including:

• Clinical experts: Dr Jeffrey Ngu, Dr Amanda Chen, Prof Richard Gearry, Dr Stephen Inns, Dr Arjun Sugumaran

• Academic partners: Assoc Prof Kirsty Danielson (University of Otago)

• Research support: Dr Jeffry Tang (Postdoctoral Fellow, Malaghan Institute)

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Johnson & Johnson Research Fellowship represents a cornerstone of NZSG’s commitment to advancing gastroenterology in Aotearoa New Zealand. By supporting high-impact research, the fellowship fosters innovation, strengthens collaboration between clinical and academic communities, and accelerates the development of therapies that can transform patient outcomes. This initiative ensures that New Zealand remains at the forefront of global efforts to tackle complex gastrointestinal diseases.

Assessors commended the proposal for its originality and potential impact, calling it “a significant step forward in understanding PSC–IBD and improving outcomes for patients.”