Our people

Professor Janis Paterson
Professor Janis Paterson
Co-Director

Janis is also the Foundation Director of the longitudinal study entitled the Pacific Islands Families Study that is focused on the development of the child within the context of the family.

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Associate Professor Maria Bellringer
Associate Professor Maria Bellringer
Acting Co-Director

Dr Bellringer is also Director of the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre. She has extensive national and international experience in project and research management and gambling research.

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Directors of Child and Youth Health Research Centre

Cath Conn
Cath Conn
Director

Cath has worked for 40 years in public health and international development in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. She is the Director of the Child and Youth Health Research Centre (CYHRC) and Associate Head of School, Public Health and Psychosocial Studies.

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Erica Hinckson
Erica Hinckson
Co-Director

Progressing research that benefits people and communities has been an overriding theme of Erica’s career. She focuses on translational research – research that can be applied for the benefit of people and communities.

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Elaine Rush
Elaine Rush
Co-Director

Elaine has been involved in health and education for all her working career. In 2014 she was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health and in 2019 as Professor Emeritus in recognition of her long and distinguished service to the University.

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Director of Gambling and Addictions Research Centre

Maria Bellringer
Maria Bellringer
Director

Directors of Migrant and Refugee Research Centre

Nadia Charania
Nadia Charania
Co-Director

Nadia is a senior lecturer in public health. Her research aims to improve health systems and healthcare access for marginalised populations. She has expertise in participatory and qualitative methodologies and engaging with migrant and refugee background communities. Nadia is leading research on access to and experiences of childhood health services, vaccine attitudes and community-based pandemic planning. She also teaches postgraduate courses on qualitative research, practice and philosophies, and global health.

+64 (0)9 9219999 ext. 5430
nadia.charania@aut.ac.nz
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Eleanor Holroyd
Eleanor Holroyd
Co-Director

Eleanor is a Professor of Nursing, and Associate Dean International and Engagement at AUT’s Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. An AUT nursing alumna, she has a PhD in medical anthropology from HKU and 30 years of international university experience, mainly in Asia, Australia and East Africa. Her research and teaching on health equity, human rights and social justice spans nursing, public health and social sciences. Working with international PhD students is a key focus.

+64 (0)9 9219999 ext. 5298
eleanor.holroyd@aut.ac.nz
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Director of Pacific Health Research Centre

El-Shadan Tautolo
El-Shadan Tautolo
Director

Associate Professor El-Shadan Tautolo is the Director of the Pacific Health Research Centre. As Lead Research Investigator for the PIF Study, he provides Pacific academic oversight, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement. A senior Pacific academic in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, he is involved in collaborative work across AUT.

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Director of Taupua Waiora Research Centre

Dr Isaac Warbrick
Dr Isaac Warbrick
Co-Director

Dr Isaac Warbrick (Ngāti Te Ata, Te Arawa, Ngā Puhi) is an exercise physiologist, Senior Research Fellow and co-Director of Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research.

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Our research centres

The institute conducts leading research across its five centres, covering child and youth health, gambling and addictions, migrant and refugees, Pacific health and Māori health.

Research centres

About the institute

The Public Health and Mental Health Research Institute conducts globally significant research across its five centres. Find out more about the institute’s aims.

About us