About A Better Start

Healthy and successful lives for tamariki

Science Advisory Panel

A Better Start has appointed an international Science Advisory Panel, to provide critical appraisal, guidance and global benchmarking for our research.

Professor Ken Ong

Chair | Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology

Professor Ong is the co-leader of the Growth and Development Programme at the MRC Epidemiology Unity, University of Cambridge.

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Professor Martin Wabitsch

Professor Wabitsch is Head of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Clinic for Paediatrics, Ulm.

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Andrew Sporle

Andrew Sporle is a lecturer in the Statistics Department at the University of Auckland and has extensive experience developing and reviewing research, and working with Big Data.

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Dr Robert Savage

Dr Savage is a Professor and Head of the Department in Psychology and Human Development at University College London.

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Professor James Chapman

Professor of Education Psychology

Professor Chapman was the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Education at Massey University for 10 years, and has published extensively in the areas of literacy and learning.

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Professor Maree Teesson

Professor Maree Teesson AC FAAHMS FASSA is the Director of NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use (CREMS) and NHMRC Principal Research Fellow at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney).

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Professor John Lynch

Professor Lynch is an epidemiologist and Professor of Public Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide.

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Dr Ridvan (Riz) Firestone

Dr Riz Firestone’s research involves investigations on health inequalities and inequities, specifically non-communicable diseases among Pacific people in New Zealand.

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Maori and Pacific

Our kāhui of Māori researchers and clinicians offers strategic advice into the Challenge’s research and alignment with Vision Mātauranga.

Garrick Cooper

Senior lecturer

School of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury

Dr Rawiri (David) Jansen

Clinical Director

National Hauora Coalition.
Ngati Raukawa descent.

Dr Rees Tapsell

Senior lecturer

Forensic psychiatrist and the Director of Clinical Services for the Mental Health and Addictions Services of the Waikato District Health Board.

Cath Rau

Specialises in indigenous language and culture regeneration and chairs the Kia Ata Mai Educational Trust

The group of Pasifika researchers advises the Challenge on its research, engagement with Pasifika communities and alignment with Pasifika health research guidelines

Dr Gerhard Sundborn

Senior Research Fellow

Epidemiology and biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland.ry

Hilda Fa'asalele

Chief Advisor

Pacific Health, Ministry of Health

Dr Mele Taumoepeau

Chairperson Health Research Council Pacific Committee

Lecturer, University of Otago

Mark Tulia

Pasifika Regional Co-ordinator

(South Island) MOE Canterbury

Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of those who helped in our set-up phase:

Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding of the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland, Distinguished Professor Niki Davis of the University of Canterbury, Distinguished Professor Richard Faull of the University of Auckland, the late Emeritus Professor David Fergusson of the University of Otago and Cathy Wiley of the New Zealand Institute of Educational Research.