Disease control

Disease control research at the University of Otago is extensive. It includes communicable and non-communicable diseases, developmental factors, and methods of treatment.

Visit the listings of our research groups below, or check out our featured projects.
Featured research projects

AIDS Epidemiology Group

The AIDS Epidemiology Group (AEG) has been responsible for national surveillance of AIDS and HIV infection in New Zealand since 1989.

Our research aims:

• Monitor the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in New Zealand through ongoing surveillance
• Develop, and when appropriate, to apply, new methods of monitoring and evaluation, and
• Contribute to the wider knowledge of HIV infection and AIDS

Email aidsepigroup@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/aidsepigroup

Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) research group

The Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) research group is a collaborative group of researchers working at the interface between public health, health services research, and clinical medicine. Our work includes a range of projects aimed at reducing the impact of cancer and chronic conditions on population health and health inequalities through policy and health system change.

Ko te rōpū rangahau mō te Mate Pukupuku me ngā Māuiui Tūroa (C3), he kāhui kairangahau e mahi tahi ana ki waenga i ngā ao o te rāngai hauroa tūmatanui, te rangahau ratonga hauora me te rongoā haumanu. Kei te kōkiri mātau i ētahi kaupapa e mahi ana ki te whakaiti i te pānga o te mate pukupuku me ngā māuiui tūroa ki te hauora o te taupori me ngā ōritenga kore o te hauora mā te whakarerekē i ngā kaupapahere me te pūnaha hauora.

Email jason.gurney@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/wellington/publichealth/research/cancercontrol

Cancer Research at Otago

At Otago we have a huge number of researchers working to advance the prevention, detection, and management of cancer in New Zealand, and beyond.

Explore our cancer research:

• Alphabetical listing of our cancer research groups
• Cancer at the cellular level
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Health policy
• Recovery and rehabilitation
• Susceptibility and prevention

Our cancer research website also has informative articles and short videos of researchers presenting easy-to-understand outlines of their research.

Web otago.ac.nz/cancer-research

Cardiovascular Disease at Otago

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the collective term for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. CVD kills more than one in three New Zealanders, and is responsible for more than 30,000 hospital admissions each year.

Cardiovascular Disease at Otago is a directory of research groups and collaborations relevant to CVD research associated with the University of Otago.

We aim to reduce the health burden of CVD through cultivating research excellence and improving health policy, workforce training, and practice.

Explore our cardiovascular disease research:

• Alphabetical listing of our CVD research groups
• Advances in treatments
• Diagnostic tools
• Health inequalities
• Population and community prevention
• Predispositions and risk factors

Our CVD website also has informative articles and short videos of researchers presenting easy-to-understand outlines of their research.

Web otago.ac.nz/cvd

Centre for International Health

The Centre for International Health facilitates and promotes research to contribute to the understanding and improvement of health in under-resourced countries, and focuses on postgraduate training and strategic mentorship of leaders.

Email internationalhealth@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/internationalhealth

Centre for Neuroendocrinology

The CNE comprises ten research groups focused upon understanding how the brain controls hormone levels and how hormones control brain function.

We have three themes of research that focus upon understanding the neural regulation.

Research themes:

• Reproduction
• Body weight and metabolism
• Stress

Email dave.grattan@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/neuroendocrinology

Centre for Translational Cancer Research—Te Aho Matatū

Translational cancer research bridges the gap between laboratory-based science and treatment in the clinic. We now have sufficient knowledge in the fields of cancer biology, molecular biology, and immunology to make a significant impact on the treatment and management of cancer.

We're bringing about rapid improvements in cancer outcomes by addressing defined clinical problems. Our research is accelerating the development and testing of new drugs and diagnostic tools that directly assist clinicians and their patients.

Email ctcr@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/ctcr

Centre for Pacific Health (Va'a o Tautai)

The Va'a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health is home to a dedicated team of Pacific and non-Pacific researchers working in areas of importance to Pacific communities in New Zealand and internationally.

Pacific health is a holistic concept that encompasses broader ideas on well-being to encompass physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. With more than 20 different cultures captured under the umbrella of 'Pacific', there are unique approaches to health that mean health care, health systems and health services can be enriched with further understanding of Pacific-specific approaches to health.

Email vot@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/pacific/vaa-o-tautai

Child Health Research at Otago

Child Health Research at Otago gathers together the research expertise and activities of scientists investigating health issues primarily affecting our youngest New Zealanders.

We also partner with a wide range of stakeholders, communities, institutions, and nations beyond New Zealand to collaborate on health issues of global significance.

Explore our child health research:

• Alphabetical listing of our research groups
• Genetics and health
• Healthy pregnancies
• Healthy childhoods
• Childhood conditions and treatments
• Inequalities in child health

Web otago.ac.nz/child-health-research

Christchurch Heart Institute

Here at the Christchurch Heart Institute we help save thousands of lives through research into improved diagnosis, better prediction and advanced treatments for heart disease. Our team of internationally-renowned experts directly play a role in increasing the survival of New Zealanders with heart disease.

Our research focus:

• New blood tests for heart attack diagnosis and prognosis
• Using new methods for treating heart failure and improving outcomes
• Understanding the genetics of heart disease; why heart disease runs in some families

Email chi@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/chch-heart-institute

Co-Search: COVID-19 Research Collaborative

Guiding an effective and fair COVID-19 pandemic response in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Co-Search is a collaboration of researchers, universities, community organisations and a Crown Research Institute. It is led by Professor Michael Baker and Dr Amanda Kvalsvig of the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington.

Email virginia.signal@otago.ac.nz
Email fiona.taylor@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/publichealth/research/heiru/co-search/

D4 Network

D4—Diagnostics, Drugs, Devices and Discovery focuses on translational research for improving care.

Research focus:

• Creating novel point-of-care diagnostics and devices enabling targeted and selective treatments
• Developing smart drug delivery systems and devices to improve and optimise therapy
• Drug discovery for innovative treatments

The network draws together the disciplines of bioengineering, pharmaceutical science and drug discovery with an emphasis on collaborating with commerce and industry.

Email greg.walker@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/d4

Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research (EDOR)

Our mission is to make a significant contribution to reducing the global burden of diabetes and obesity through research and dissemination of knowledge. We aim to reduce the prevalence, and to improve the management, of diabetes and obesity by finding new ways to prevent and treat these conditions.  By striving for research excellence and encouraging international collaboration we can bring the greatest benefit to New Zealanders and the wider world. We're sharing our discoveries with individuals, communities, teachers, health professionals and policymakers.

Email diabetes@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/diabetes

Genetics Otago

Genetics Otago is the largest centre for advanced genetics research in Australasia, with researchers and facilities covering the full spectrum of genetics research. In relation to infectious diseases our research.

Our infectious diseases research:

• Applied genetics research
  Our researchers are at the forefront of selecting and producing new traits for biologically-based industries. These industries are the backbone of the New Zealand economy.
• Developmental genetics research
  We study genes and development in numerous vertebrates and invertebrates. We work to identify genes associated with human developmental disease, and on epigenetics, and human and plant biology.
• Microbial research
  Our researchers study the biology of these organisms, including how viruses interact with other organisms and the immune system, and how they might be harnessed to deliver health benefits.

Email go@otago.ac.nz
Web https://www.otago.ac.nz/genetics/nz/

Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa is an agile, leading-edge and collaborative platform, established to ensure that New Zealand is internationally participating and leading in the rapidly developing fields of genomics (the study of the genome, the complete set of genetic material present in a cell or organism) and bioinformatics (the development of methods and software tools for understanding the biological data derived from genomics).

GA is undertaking a suite of nationally significant research activities supporting New Zealand's economic, environmental and social well-being.

Email genomics.aotearoa@otago.ac.nz
Web www.genomics-aotearoa.org.nz

Hauora Manawa / Heart Health: The Community Heart Study

This research aims to collect data on the current levels of established heart disease, levels of previously undiagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their risk factors in randomly-selected population samples from two diverse Maori communities, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa in Hawkes Bay, and Mana Whenua ki Waitaha in Canterbury, as well as a non-Maori control group in Canterbury.

Web otago.ac.nz/christchurch/research/hauoramanawa/

Health Environment and Infection Research Unit (HEIRU)

The Health, Environment and Infection Research Unit is a collaboration of researchers focused on the impact of infectious diseases and adverse environmental factors on population health. We use a range of research methods to investigate these health concerns; to identify effective interventions to reduce the burden of disease and inequalities; and to support the move to greater environmental sustainability. HEIRU aims to provide evidence-based recommendations and advice to support New Zealand and international agencies and practitioners in their disease prevention and control activities.

Email michael.baker@otago.ac.nzWeb otago.ac.nz/wellington/publichealth/research/heiru

Healthier Lives – He Oranga Hauora National Science Challenge

The Healthier Lives – He Oranga Hauora National Science Challenge is a national research collaboration dedicated to achieving healthier lives for all New Zealanders.

It undertakes collaborative research aimed at equitably improving the prevention and treatment of four major non-communicable diseases:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Our vision

He Oranga Hauora kitenga

Aotearoa hei whenua he ōrite ngā putanga hua hauora mō te tangata, kia iti iho hoki ngā pīkauranga o ngā māuiui kāore e taea te tuku ki te tangata kē.

Healthier Lives vision

New Zealand with equitable health outcomes and a substantially reduced burden of non-communicable diseases.

Many factors impact on the health of New Zealanders, including systems that affect the whole population, cultural factors that relate to particular communities, and the genetic make-up and life experiences of individuals.

Healthier Lives' research is therefore focussed within three themes:

1. Healthy food and physical activity environments
2. Culturally centred health interventions for Māori and Pacific peoples
3. Precision medicine and personalised prevention

Email healthier.lives@otago.ac.nz
Web healthierlives.co.nz

Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit

The Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit undertakes research into the causes of cancer and the impact of prevention programmes and cancer screening. We are investigating the causes of colorectal cancer, melanoma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in New Zealand. We have developed methods to provide estimates of the individual risk of melanoma for patients, and these methods can be extended to other cancers. We are collaborating in New Zealand and internationally to assess the best method of screening for colorectal cancer.

With colleagues at the University of Canterbury and in Finland, we are investigating the potential contribution of cytomegalovirus infection to the risk of breast cancer.

The Unit represents New Zealand in the International Cancer Screening Network of the National Cancer Institute (USA) and the International Lung Cancer Consortium of the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Email hughadam.unit@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/dsm/hughadam

The Infection Group

We are a research collaboration between the University of Otago and the Canterbury District Health Board based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Infection Group is also an integral member of One Health Aotearoa, an alliance of New Zealand's leading infectious diseases researchers who are committed to working together to tackle important infectious diseases locally and globally.The Infection Group are interested in all aspects of human infection, and our research aims to provide new insights into the prevention, management, surveillance and control of infections of global importance.

Infection Group research:

• Antimicrobials
• Application of molecular diagnostics in routine diagnostic microbiology
• Breath research
• Influenza
• Invasive bacterial infections
• Legionnaires' disease
• Pneumonia
• Vitamin D
• Zoonotic disease transmission

Email the-infection-group@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/infection-group

Infectious Disease Research at Otago

This website highlights the research expertise and activities of scientists investigating human, animal, and environmental infectious diseases in Aotearoa / New Zealand. We also partner with a wide range of stakeholders, institutions and communities to collaborate on infectious disease issues of global significance.

Explore our infectious disease research:

• Alphabetical listing of our infectious disease research groups
• Animal, plant, and environment
• Disease prevention and control
• Understanding bacteria, viruses, and parasites

Email healthsciences.research@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.z/infectious-disease

Māori Indigenous Health Innovation (MIHI)

The Māori Indigenous Health Innovation (MIHI) undertakes and supports research that explores Māori health inequities and building excellence in research evidence that contributes to Māori health advancement.

Research topics:

• Tangata Kōmuramura: Māori Experiences of Eating Disorders
• Te Uemairangi: Pathways to First Episode Psychosis and Outcomes in Māori Youth
• Medical education research
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart Health: The Hauora Manawa community heart study
• Respiratory disease
• Mental health
• Community service

Web otago.ac.nz/christchurch/departments/mihi

Mental Health Research at Otago

Mental health is a broad and complex issue facing New Zealanders – and a research strength of the University of Otago. This website brings together our investigators and teams contributing to New Zealand's research achievement in the field of mental health.

Explore our mental health research:

• Alphabetical listing of our mental health research groups
• Māori and Pacific mental health
• Mental disorders
• Mental health risk factors
• Population mental health and health services
• Well-being

Web otago.ac.nz/mental-health-research

One Health Aotearoa

One Health Aotearoa is an alliance of New Zealand's leading infectious diseases researchers committed to working together to address important health hazards in New Zealand, and beyond.

A key lesson from recent infectious diseases outbreaks, including Ebola in West Africa, and efforts to control antimicrobial resistance, is that now, more than ever, we need to work across sectors, and reverse the trend towards increasing compartmentalization. Importantly, issues are addressed in a real-world context, with early involvement of key stakeholders and easier translation into policy.

Visit our website for more about our integrative approach to understanding, preventing, and controlling infectious disease.

Email: one.health@otago.ac.nz
Web: onehealth.org.nz

Otago Genomics Facility

We provide expertise and sequencing resources to New Zealand researchers and industry.

Services available:

• Project design and advice
• Illumina HiSeq sequencing
• Illumina MiSeq sequencing
• Nanostring nCounter Analysis System

The Otago Genomics Facility is an Illumina Propel-certified service provider for Illumina HiSeq 2500 and MiSeq sequencing platforms, and is also a Nanostring nCounter Analysis System core facility.

Email genomics@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/genomics

Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI)

We aim to improve global health and save lives, by identifying and evaluating solutions to important health problems in low-resource settings.

We work to address the world's most pressing health problems through research collaborations with low- and middle-income countries, and with disadvantaged groups in New Zealand.

We draw upon New Zealand's unique connections with Asia and the Pacific. Our extensive international partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaborations enable us to carry out innovative and rigorous research to advance global health.

Email globalhealth@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/global-health

Pacific Health Research at Otago

Talofa lava, kia orana, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, bula vinaka, malo ni, halo ola keta, mauri, fakatalofa atu, and warm Pacific greetings!

We're celebrating our Pacific health research in the Division of Health Sciences.

Learn about what's going on in Pacific health research, how we can support researchers, and where to start if you're excited about research.

Email vot@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/pacific-health-research

Research Infrastructure Centre

Our Research Infrastructure Centre offers specialist expertise, technology and facilities in protein research, genomics, imaging, and biomedical research.

We support optimum design and analysis of your research, and provide skill development opportunities.

Our academic leadership is of the highest calibre and we have extensively experienced and skilled staff.

Our services are available to researchers in institutions, industry, government and private companies.

Email ric.admin@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/research/ric

School of Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy has a very active research programme with disciplines ranging from science to humanities with each having a strong contextual link to health sciences.

Research areas:

• Clinical Pharmacy: concerned with patient care and the optimisation of medicine use in order to promote health and wellness, and prevent disease.
• Pharmaceutical Sciences: drug discovery, drug metabolism and drug action to extend the range of drugs available and to provide a scientific basis for the quality use of medicines and bioactive substances.

Email pharmacy.research@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/pharmacy/research

Sir John Walsh Research Institute for Oral Health

We advance research and increase knowledge for the improvement of oral health in New Zealand. Our research aims are to develop clinical research that translates discoveries into measurable health benefits, and to maintain fundamental research that underpins our teaching. From the molecular level through biological systems to the health of populations, our research is improving oral health in New Zealand.

Email sjwri.admin@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/sjwri

Webster Centre for Infectious Diseases

Our scope extends from molecular to clinical research of infectious diseases affecting humans, animals, and plants.

We have over forty experts from across the university making fundamental discoveries and translating these discoveries into practical applications against infectious diseases.

Members of the Webster Centre use a variety of methods in their research, ranging from chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, immunology and microbiology.

Key research:

• Applied and molecular immunology
• Bacterial physiology and antimicrobial resistance
• Human virology: human papillomavirus
• Human virology: influenza virus
• Immunity to bacterial infection
• Oral microbiology and antifungal drug resistance
• Pseudomonas in kiwifruit
• Structural biology of infectious diseases

Email james.ussher@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/webster