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Leadership Group

Our leadership group consists of senior researchers across the University of Otago's Divisions of Commerce, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences.

Professor John Crump, Director

Professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Global Health, Centre for International Health John_Crump_tn

Professor Crump's expertise is in infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries, and ethics in global health.

Associate Professor Htin Lin Aung, Co-Deputy Director

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Dr Htin Lin Aung

Associate Professor Htin Lin Aung is a Royal Society of New Zealand Rutherford Discovery Fellow. The overarching theme of Aung’s research is antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health inequities. Using tuberculosis (TB) as an exemplar, Aung’s research combines genomics, molecular biology, clinical microbiology, molecular epidemiology, health economics and social science.

Dr Lena Tan, Co-Deputy Director

Lena Tan profile imagePolitics Programme

Dr Tan is senior lecturer in International Relations and her research interests include identity, IR theory, constructivism, postcolonialism, the construction and constitution of the Global South in IR/ir, twentieth century decolonization, and Indonesian security and foreign policy.

Professor Phil Bremer

Department of Food SciencePhil Bremer new TN

Phil is a Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Otago. He applies a multi-disciplinary approach involving microbiology, product development, flavour and sensory science and, increasingly, social science to determine how the way a food is produced and promoted impacts on its suitability, acceptability and value in the market place.

Associate Professor Christina Ergler

School of GeographyChristina E TN

Associate Professor Christina Ergler is a geographer driven by a passion for creating just, sustainable and inclusive environments that enhance the quality of life of humans and non-humans.

Dr Elizabeth Fenton

Bioethics Centre Elizabeth Fenton image

Elizabeth is a lecturer in the Bioethics Centre with a background in philosophy and public health. Her research focuses on ethical issues in public health, global health, and health policy.

Associate Professor Jeff Foote

Department of Management Jeff Foote image

Jeff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management. He is an applied researcher with expertise in using systems thinking to address ‘wicked problems’. Jeff is skilled in designing and facilitating multi-stakeholder fora where stakeholders create shared understanding and commitment to action. He has a proven track record in undertaking impactful research and evaluation projects for central and local government, non-government organisations, business and hāpu. Jeff is an active member of the University of Otago’s Te Maea: Māori and Indigenous Economy and Enterprise Network.

Professor Philip Hill

McAuley Professor of International Health,Philip Hill tn Centre for International Health

Professor Hill's fields of expertise include infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Professor Stephen Knowles

Department of EconomicsKnowlesTN

Stephen's research interests include the economics of altruism, with a specific focus on what motivates people to donate to international development charities.

Professor Katrina Sharples

Department of Mathematics and Statisticskatrina_sharples new TN

Katrina is a biostatistician with broad interests in statistical methods for clinical and epidemiological research, and particular expertise in clinical trials. She is the lead statistician for Cancer Trials New Zealand, the Centre for International Health and the Pharmacoepidemiology Research Network, and is also a member of the Centre for Translational Research in Cancer.

Professor Patrick Vakaoti

Te Tumu School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous StudiesPatrick V TN

Professor Vakaoti is interested in issues experienced by Pacific children and young people. He offers advice on Pacific engagement and relationships.

Professor Tony Walls

Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, ChristchurchTony Walls TN

Professor Walls trained in Paediatrics at both Christchurch and Dunedin Hospitals and has an ongoing clinical interest in the management of infection in immunocompromised children. He has also worked as a Consultant at Sydney Children's Hospital, and was lead clinician for the Paediatric HIV Service.

Associate Professor Esther Willing

Kōhatu Centre for Hauora MāoriEsther Willing thumbnail

Dr Esther Willing (Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Koata, Ngā Ruahine) is an Associate Professor in Hauora Māori and the Director of Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori. Her research interests include health policy and health systems research and she is passionate about improving Māori health outcomes and addressing health inequities in Aotearoa. She currently is involved in research on immunisation uptake and coverage for hapu māmā and tamariki, and guidelines for prioritising intensive care resources to support equity and discourse and framing of Māori health.

University of Otago Members

In addition to our leadership team the Otago Global Health Institute has a large number of network members. These researchers have a diversity of technical expertise which enables our institute to draw upon a large pool of research fields.

Surnames A–C

Surnames D–G

Surnames H–L

Surnames M–O

Surnames P–S

Surnames T-Z

External members

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