Dr Jo Gullam

Dr Joanna (Jo) Gullam MBChB DFFP MRCOG MD (Warwick) FRANZCOG

Head of Department
Senior Lecturer
Specialist Obstetrician

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chritstchurch; Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Ōtautahi
Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand: Waitaha
RANZCOG Director of Fellowship Exams

Email joanna.gullam@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 364 4807

Dr Gullam is a UK-trained obstetrician with specialist expertise in high-risk obstetrics and maternal medicine. She joined Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Ōtautahi in 2011 and was appointed Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2016. Alongside her academic role, she works clinically at Health NZ: Waitaha as the birth suite lead obstetrician and runs clinics focussing on maternal medicine. Further to this, she is actively involved in clinical governance and guideline development.

Dr Gullam completed her undergraduate medical degree and postgraduate specialist training in the United Kingdom, where she also earned her doctorate in myometrial physiology with a focus on preterm birth. She holds advanced certification in maternal medicine, high-risk obstetrics and labour ward lead.

Her clinical and research expertise lies in the intersection of maternal medicine, perinatal health, and translational clinical trials. She has been actively involved in numerous national and international multicentre trials aimed at improving outcomes in complex pregnancies. She serves as the Aotearoa, New Zealand representative on the International Saving Lives through Safer Birth steering committee.

She is also committed to medical education and training, serving as the Director of Fellowship Examinations for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) since 2020, the convener for the fifth-year medical student programme at Otago, and a supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate research students.

Research interests

Maternal medicine and perinatal health
High-risk obstetrics
Myometrial physiology and preterm birth
Fetal growth restriction and placental function
Angiogenic biomarkers (e.g. sFlt-1/PlGF) in pregnancy
Maternal immunisation and neuroprotection
Multicentre clinical trials in maternal–fetal health

She leads the obstetric and perinatal research team, contributing to research that informs evidence-based practice in perinatal health across Australasia.

Selected current and recent research involvement

APTS (Australian Placental Transfusion Study)
MAGENTA (Magnesium Sulphate at 30 to 34 weeks)
STRIDER NZAus (Sildenafil in early-onset FGR)
MBM Trial (My Baby's Movements)
PINTO (Pre-diabetes in pregnancy)
MATISSE RSV vaccine in pregnancy study: "Does Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine in pregnancy protect babies against lung disease?" (Pfizer, USA)
C*STEROID and PRECEDE (Antenatal corticosteroids prior to planned caesarean)

Teaching and leadership

Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago (2016–present)
Convener, 5th-Year O&G Medical Programme, University of Otago, Christchurch
Clinical Lead, Birth Suite, Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ: Waitaha
Director of Fellowship Examinations, RANZCOG

Publications

Hughes, R., MacKay, D., Gullam, J., & Florkowski, C. (2025). DIPPS stidu: Diabetes in pregnancy: Routine screening for placental insufficiency using the sFlt-1/PlGF. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 138(1619), (pp. 90). Retrieved from https://nzmj.org.nz/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hughes, R. C. E., Kyle, P., Phillips, I., Florkowski, C. M., & Gullam, J. (2025). In suspected fetal growth restriction, sFlt-1/PlGF and PlGF may have value in risk stratification for preterm birth and birthweight < 3rd centile: A blinded cohort study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ajo.70003 Journal - Research Article

Simões, E. A. F., Pahud, B. A., Madhi, S. A., Kampmann, B., Shittu, E., Radley, D., … Gullam, J., … on behalf of the MATISSE (Maternal Immunzation Study for Safety and Efficacy) Clinical Trial Group. (2025). Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) maternal respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein vaccine trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 145(2), 157-167. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005816 Journal - Research Article

Hughes, R., Phillips, I., Florkowski, C. M., & Gullam, J. (2024). Could the sflt-1/PLGF ratio have added value in the detection and management of small for gestational age and fetal growth restriction? A prospective blinded observational study. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 60(Suppl. 1), (pp. 41). doi: 10.1111/jpc.16526 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Crowther, C. A., Ashwood, P., Middleton, P. F., McPhee, A., Tan, T., Harding, J. E., for the MAGENTA Study Group, including Austin, N., Darlow, B. A., Dixon, B., Gullam, J., Leishman, D., Dawson, P., Devenish, C., Gaerty, K., Tomlinson, P. A., & Miller, H. (2023). Prenatal intravenous magnesium at 30-34 weeks' gestation and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring: The MAGENTA randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 330(7), 603-614. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.12357 Journal - Research Article

2025

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2024

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Article

Tarnow-Mordi, W. O., Robledo, K., Marschner, I., Seidler, L., Simes, J., on behalf of the Australian Placental Transfusion Study (APTS) Childhood Follow Up Study Collaborators, including Gullam, J., Austin, N., Leishman, D., Stitely, M., & Dawson, P. (2023). To guide future practice, perinatal trials should be much larger, simpler and less fragile with close to 100% ascertainment of mortality and other key outcomes. Seminars in Perinatology, 47(5), 151789. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2023.151789

Kampmann, B., Madhi, S. A., Munjal, I., Simões, E. A. F., Pahud, B. A., Llapur, C., … Gullam, J., … for the MATISSE Study Group. (2023). Bivalent prefusion F vaccine in pregnancy to prevent RSV illness in infants. New England Journal of Medicine, (388), 1451-1464. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2216480

Hughes, R. C. E., Phillips, I., Florkowski, C. M., & Gullam, J. (2023). The predictive value of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in suspected preeclampsia in a New Zealand population: A prospective cohort study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 63, 34-41. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13549

2022

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hughes, R., Phillips, I., Florkowski, C., & Gullam, J. (2022). Diabetes in pregnancy: Using the Sflt-1/PLGF ratio to predict preeclampsia. Proceedings of the 45th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 18). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/NZSSD22/welcome.html

2021

Journal - Research Article

Harcourt, E., Bering, J., & Gullam, J. (2021). Opposition to abortion related to inaccurate beliefs about fetal pain perception in utero. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 61, 599-603. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13356

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Harcourt, E., Gullam, J., & Bering, J. (2021). Source trust and belief in misinformation about Covid-19 and abortion. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 31). [Abstract]

2020

Journal - Research Article

Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Brunton, C., Gullam, J., & Walls, T. (2020). Pregnant women's knowledge of, and adherence to, New Zealand Food Safety in Pregnancy guidelines. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1525), 41-52. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Brunton, C., Gullam, J., & Walls, T. (2020). The epidemiology of listeriosis in pregnant women and children in New Zealand from 1997 to 2016: An observational study. BMC Public Health, 20, 116. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8221-z

2019

Journal - Research Article

Hawkins, G., Gullam, J., & Belluscio, L. (2019). The effect of a major earthquake experienced during the first trimester of pregnancy on the risk of preterm birth. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 59(1), 82-88. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12797

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Walls, T., Jeffs, E., Gullam, J., Brunton, C., & Williman, J. (2019). The epidemiology of listeriosis in pregnant women and children in New Zealand from 1997 to 2016: An observational study. Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID). Retrieved from https://espidmeeting.org

2018

Journal - Research Article

Hughes, R. C. E., Florkowski, C., & Gullam, J. E. (2018). Evaluation of the NZ guidelines for screening for persistent postpartum hyperglycaemia following gestational diabetes. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 58(4), 432-437. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12746

Hughes, R. C. E., Williman, J. A., & Gullam, J. E. (2018). Antenatal haemoglobin A1c centiles: Does one size fit all? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 58(4), 411-416. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12738

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Jeffs, E., Williman, J., Gullam, J., Brunton, C., & Walls, T. (2018, December). The epidemiology of listeriosis in pregnant women and children in New Zealand from 1997 to 2016: An observational study. Poster session presented at the 4th One Health Aotearoa (OHA) Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand.

2017

Journal - Research Article

Tarnow-Mordi, W., Morris, J., Kirby, A., Robledo, K., Askie, L., Brown, R., … Gullam, J., … for the Australian Placental Transfusion Study Collaborative Group, including Austin, N., Broadbent, R., Stitely, M., & Dawson, P. (2017). Delayed versus immediate cord clamping in preterm infants. New England Journal of Medicine, 377, 2445-2455. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1711281

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Adams, F., Gillespie, C., & Gullam, J. (2017). Delivery outcomes in the extremely obese patient. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 57(Suppl. 1), (pp. 30). doi: 10.1111/ajo.12725

De Silva, S., Adams, F., & Gullam, J. (2017). Accuracy of estimated fetal weight measurement in the extremely obese. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 57(Suppl. 1), (pp. 25). doi: 10.1111/ajo.12724

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Hughes, R., Gullam, J., Florkowski, C., & Yi, M. (2017, May). Evaluation of the latest NZ guidelines for screening for persistent postpartum hyperglycaemia following gestational diabetes. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2016

Journal - Research Article

Jeffs, E., Haszard, J. J., Sharp, B., Gullam, J., & Paterson, H. (2016). Pregnant women lack accurate knowledge of their BMI and recommended gestational weight gain. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1439), 37-45. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Hughes, R. C. E., Williman, J., & Gullam, J. E. (2016). Universal HbA1c measurement in early pregnancy to detect type 2 diabetes reduces ethnic disparities in antenatal diabetes screening: A population-based observational study. PLoS ONE, 11(6), e0156926. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156926

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Gullam, J. E., Williman, J., & Hughes, R. C. E. (2016, September). HBA1C reference range in pregnanacy: Are observed ethnic differences simply a reflection of blood glucose control? Poster session presented at the 10th Athens Congress on Women's Health and Disease: Preconceptions to Menopause, Athens, Greece.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Hughes, R. C. E., Williman, J., & Gullam, J. (2016, May). HbA1c reference-range in pregnancy: Observed ethnic differences may simply reflect blood glucose levels. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting, Rotorua, New Zealand.

2015

Journal - Research Other

Hughes, R. C. E., Moore, M. P., Gullam, J. E., & Rowan, J. (2015). [Response to comment on Hughes et al]. Diabetes Care, 38(6), e93. doi: 10.2337/dc15-0401

2014

Journal - Research Article

Hughes, R. C. E., Moore, M. P., Gullam, J. E., Mohamed, K., & Rowan, J. (2014). An early pregnancy HbA_1c ≥5.9% (41 mmol/mol) is optimal for detecting diabetes and identifies women at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Diabetes Care, 37(11), 2953-2959. doi: 10.2337/dc14-1312

Jeffs, E., Sharp, B., Gullam, J., & Paterson, H. (2014). Weight and height measurement: Potential impact in obstetric care. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1392). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Reid, R. A., Prickett, T. C. R., Pullar, B. E., Darlow, B. A., Gullam, J. E., & Espiner, E. A. (2014). C-type natriuretic peptide in complicated pregnancy: Increased secretion precedes adverse events. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 99(4), 1470-1478. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-3758

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Hughes, R., Gullam, J., Rowan, J., & Moore, M. P. (2014, July). An HbA1c of 41-46 mmol/mol (5.0-6.4%) at booking is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (ADIPS - SOMANZ) Joint Scientific Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2013

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Hughes, R., Moore, P., Gullam, J., & Rowan, J. (2013, May). STEP: Screening for Type 2 diabetes in Early Pregnancy. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting, Napier, New Zealand.

Hughes, R., Moore, M. P., Gullam, J., & Rowan, J. (2013, October). First trimester HbA1c measurements to detect overt diabetes at booking: A prospective cohort study. Verbal presentation at the Diabetic Pregnancy Study Group (DPSG) 45th Annual Meeting, St Julians, Malta.

2012

Journal - Research Article

Bru-Mercier, G., Gullam, J. E., Thornton, S., Blanks, A. M., & Shmygol, A. (2012). Characterization of the tissue-level Ca²⁺ signals in spontaneously contracting human myometrium. Journal of Cell & Molecular Biology, 16(12), 2990-3000. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01626.x

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Jeffs, E., Gullam, J., Sharp, B., & Paterson, H. (2012). Women's knowledge and perceptions of the risks of excess weight in pregnancy. BJOG, 119(Suppl. 1), (pp. 120-121). doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03376.x

Jeffs, E., Gullam, J., Sharp, B., & Paterson, H. (2012). Women's perception of BMI and understanding of weight gain in pregnancy guidelines. BJOG, 119(Suppl. s1), (pp. 43). doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03376.x

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Hughes, R., Moore, P., & Gullam, J. (2012, August-September). STEP: Screening for Type 2 diabetes in Early Pregnancy. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, Australia.

Hughes, R., Gullam, J., & Moore, P. (2012, October). STEP: Screening for Type 2 diabetes in Early Pregnancy. Verbal presentation at the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia.

2011

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Gullam, J. E. (2011). Analysis of mechanisms mediating the oxytocin-induced stimulation of human myometrium (MD). University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

2009

Journal - Research Article

Gullam, J. E., Blanks, A. M., Thornton, S., & Shmygol, A. (2009). Phase-plot analysis of the oxytocin effect on human myometrial contractility. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, 144(Suppl. 1), S20-S24. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.02.020

2008

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gullam, J. E., Blanks, A. M., Thornton, S., & Shmygol, A. (2008). Oxytocin-induced myometrial contractions in the presence of nifedipine: What is the mechanism? Reproductive Sciences, 15(1 (Suppl.)), 192, (pp. 116A). doi: 10.1177/19337191080150020102

Gullam, J. E., Blanks, A. M., & Thornton, S. (2008). Oxytocin-induced myometrial contractions in the presence of nifedipine. BJOG, 115(1), (pp. 123). doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01575.x

2007

Journal - Research Article

Chatterjee, J., Gullam, J., Vatish, M., & Thornton, S. (2007). The management of preterm labour. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal & Neonatal Edition, 92, F88-F93. doi: 10.1136/adc.2005.082289

Shmygol, A., Blanks, A. M., Bru-Mercier, G., Gullam, J. E., & Thornton, S. (2007). Control of uterine Ca2⁺ by membrane voltage: Toward understanding the excitation—contraction coupling in human myometrium. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1101, 97-109. doi: 10.1196/annals.1389.031

2006

Journal - Research Article

Shmygol, A., Gullam, J., Blanks, A., & Thornton, S. (2006). Multiple mechanisms involved in oxytocin-induced modulation of myometrial contractility. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 27(7), 827-832. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00393.x

2005

Journal - Research Article

Gullam, J. E., Chatterjee, J., & Thornton, S. (2005). Preterm labour: Novel treatments. Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies, 2(1), 47-52. doi: 10.1016/j.ddstr.2005.05.023

Research interests

Selected current and recent research involvement

Teaching and leadership

Publications

2025

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2024

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Article

2022

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2021

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2020

Journal - Research Article

2019

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2018

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

2017

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

2016

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2015

Journal - Research Other

2014

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2013

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2012

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2011

Awarded Doctoral Degree

2009

Journal - Research Article

2008

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2007

Journal - Research Article

2006

Journal - Research Article

2005

Journal - Research Article

Was this page useful?