Message from the Head of School
Kia ora koutou
Welcome to our School of Medical Sciences (SMS) Newsletter which has become the place where we acknowledge and record the successes of our staff and students. These various successes whether they are big or small represent the different parts of the academic and career journeys of the staff and students who together form one of the biggest and most successful Schools at Waipapa Taumata Rau: The University of Auckland.
The range of academic disciplines across the School and the excellence of the research we conduct is driven by the research led teaching performed by the academic Departments that make up SMS. Furthermore, this concentration of research activity has allowed the School to host the establishment of a number of research centres that allow us to collaborate more widely with colleagues from outside the School.
I invite you to read about our current and archived successes to gain some insight into the talented individuals that make up SMS and how their individual achievements are contributing to the overall success of the School.
Nga mihi
Paul
NZ Order of Merit in the Kings Birthday Honours 2025
Associate Professor Mark Thomas, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in the Kings Birthday Honours 2025.
Bachelor of Medical Imaging Honours students success
An event to celebrate the Bachelor of Medical Imaging Honours students success was held on the evening of 13 May 2025.
New PhD student
We welcome Noah Papali, a PhD student from the Auckland Cancer Research Centre.
High impact papers
The brain doesn’t just think. It moves, subtly pulsing with every heartbeat.
New staff
We welcome Claire Heffernan, a Professional Teaching Fellow from the Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging who has joined the Faculty and the Cardiac Ultrasound team.
New Director of Cancer Trials New Zealand
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Nicky Lawrence as our new Director of Cancer Trials New Zealand.
PhD success
Please join me in congratulating Hossein Jahedi, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology for successfully defending his PhD thesis.
Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship
Congratulations to Dr Ana Luiza Sayegh, Department of Physiology, on being awarded the Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship.
PhD student success
Please join me in congratulating Alice McDouall, Department of Physiology for successfully defending her PhD thesis.