Mark's Biomedical research focus has been the consequences of premature birth and fetal growth restriction (FGR) on postnatal physiology, growth, and health of the offspring.
I am originally from Hamilton-Kirikiriroa. I attended the University of Waikato for my B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, majoring in Biological Sciences. Masters research involved the purification and testing of a neuropeptide hormone derived from sheep rumen, called gastrin-releasing peptide. Capitalising on my training in ruminant physiology, nutrition, and sheep husbandry knowledge, I then undertook a PhD in fetal growth physiology at the University of Auckland. My thesis project was the study of maternal nutrition and the regulation of hormonal factors involved in fetal growth (insulin-like growth factors and placental lactogen). After my PhD I spent 2 years as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at AgResearch working on animal production sciences.
Since my return to the University of Auckland, my main biomedical research focus has been the consequences of premature birth and fetal growth restriction (FGR) on postnatal physiology, growth, and health of the offspring. This involves looking at the pathology of these disease processes, identifying markers for timely detection, and also seeks to identify treatments that could mitigate the consequences.
My role changed markedly in the early 2000’s with a key role in the development of the Ngapouri Research Farm Laboratory, situated near Reporoa in the South Waikato. While continuing my own research interests, I became manager of expanded activities at the facility. The role involves developing research collaboration, ethics, regulatory licence holder, finance, animal health and welfare responsibilities. Ngapouri Research Farm Laboratory is now formally a University of Auckland Research Platform.
I have frequent collaborations with research groups at AgResearch, Lincoln University, University of Otago and Massey University. Within University of Auckland collaborations include Auckland Institute of Bioengineering, Dept of Physiology, Dept Medicine and Surgery. I have also provided commercial research services and consultancy activities on behalf of the University.
I served on The University of Auckland Animal Ethics Committee for 2 terms of 3 years each. I have been a contributor to Animal Behaviour and Welfare Consultative Committee (Ministry of Primary Industries). I am also currently an member of Te Kāhui Kounga Wai, based in Rotorua (Lakes Water Quality Society).
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