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Liggins Link—August 2025
Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to the August Liggins Link. In this edition, we feature a story on the visit of UK Trade Envoy to NZ, MP Carolyn Harris, to view the Institute’s genome sequencing lab and Oxford Nanopore machines in action. Our newborn genomics programme enables the rapid diagnosis of Kiwi babies with rare disorders and is now ready to be rolled out nationwide. Check out our story to learn more.
This month, we have a lot to celebrate as we recognise the exceptional dedication and achievements of several Liggins Institute staff and students. We congratulate the Māori Research Advisory Group, Jen Rogers, Hui Hui Phua, Professor Katie Groom and Dr Barbara Cormack, whose research contributions have been recognised with university and external awards.
We also invite you to attend a scientific symposium celebrating the distinguished career in maternal fetal medicine of Liggins Institute Professor Caroline Crowther. If you're a health professional, student or interested in maternal and newborn health, I encourage you to attend.
Finally, I hope to see you at our free public lecture, ‘One-size-fits-all medicine is killing us: How precision health can save us’, this evening at 6:00 p.m. Chris Paton, Roan Zaied, and I are looking forward to discussing our cutting-edge research and the benefits of AI and genomics in healthcare.
Ngā mihi nui
Justin
Professor Justin O'Sullivan
Director, Liggins Institute,
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
PITOPITO KŌRERO | NEWS
Oxford-Auckland partnership delivers genomic ‘game changer’
UK trade envoy to NZ MP Carolyn Harris talks to Professor Justin O'Sullivan on a visit to the Liggins Institute to see the sequencing machines in action.
A Liggins Institute collaboration with an Oxford University spinout is paving the way for a nationwide rollout of DNA sequencing for very sick babies.
The Oxford Nanopore Technologies genome sequencing machines allow researchers to compare the DNA of very sick babies with that of their parents.
Doctors then use the information about genetic differences between parents and child to look for signals the babies have one of several hundred rare conditions, says Liggins Institute Director Professor Justin O’Sullivan.
“In several cases we have diagnosed a baby with a rare disorder, and clinicians were able to quickly find a clinical pathway."
UK trade envoy to NZ MP Carolyn Harris visited the Liggins Institute in June to see the sequencing machines in action.
“I would like to see this rolled out across New Zealand, not just from a trade perspective, but from a health perspective. It’s a game changer,” she says.
“I don’t want to see anyone denied the equipment that is going to save lives.”
Liggins Māori Research Advisory Group celebrated at Vice-Chancellor’s recognition dinner
The Liggins Institute Māori Research Advisory Group were acknowledged for their exceptional performance at the annual VC’s Recognition Dinner. Congratulations to Hine Busby, Geremy Hema, Kimiora Henare, Kerry Hiini, Tui Kaumoana Steedman, Justin O'Sullivan, Gregg Pardoe, Jen Rogers, Haunui Royal and Jane Duffy (not pictured).
Te Rau Hiringa awards recognise contribution of Liggins Institute professional staff
The leading contributions of two Liggins Institute professional staff members, Jen Rogers and Hui Hui Phua, to enhancing research excellence at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, have been recognised with the 2025 Te Rau Hiringa awards.
Jen Rogers has led strategies to improve the inclusion of Māori and Pacific participants in longitudinal research. Hui Hui Phua has led the development of the rapid whole genome sequencing service for critically ill newborns.
Doctoral candidate Caitlin Woods represents the Liggins Institute at University 3MT Finals
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, Three Minute Thesis (3MT) winners and finalists, including Caitlin Woods (5th from left).
Liggins Institute doctoral candidate, midwife, and 3MT finalist, Caitlin Woods, is “passionate about caring for wāhine and whānau through some of life’s most pivotal moments – pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks with a newborn.” She says,
“Supporting people during this special time is deeply meaningful and rewarding to me.”
Read her School of Graduate Studies interview to learn more about Caitlin, her research and student journey.
Liggins Technologist shares her career journey at Pacific Health Wayfinders event
Last month, Liggins Institute Technologist Kalita Pragnell (3rd from right) joined a panel of Pacific health researchers to share her career journey with a group of keen Year 12 students.
Part of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Pacific Health Wayfinders programme, the event gave students a chance to learn what working in health research is really like - and how they can take their first steps toward it.
Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2025
World Breastfeeding Week 2025, which took place from August 1 to August 7, focused on creating sustainable support systems to prioritise breastfeeding. Of course, some parents may choose or need to use infant formula, but the unique benefits of breast milk cannot be overlooked. At the Liggins Institute, we’re committed to generating knowledge to better support families in their breastfeeding journey — for a healthier and more sustainable future for the next generation of New Zealanders.
Watch our Facebook video, featuring Dr Mariana Muelbert, to learn more.
NGĀ KAUPAPA NUI | EVENTS
Public Lecture – One-size-fits-all medicine is killing us: How precision health can save us
Thursday, 14 August 2025, 6–7pm
Lecture Theatre 505.011, Grafton Campus, 85 Park Rd, Auckland
For too long, healthcare has relied on trial and error - testing one drug or treatment option on a patient, and if that doesn’t work, switching to a second option, or a third. It’s a method that’s neither conducive to healthy people nor a healthy system. Precision health offers a better way forward by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and genomics to deliver faster, more accurate, and personalised care.
Join us for an inspiring and insightful evening as Associate Professor Chris Paton, Professor Justin O’Sullivan, and Dr Roan Zaied demystify AI in healthcare, showcase cutting-edge applications in acute care, and discuss the use of machine learning to research COPD. You’re warmly invited to stay for drinks and nibbles afterwards.
Raising the Bar Auckland: Swab, sequence, surprise! How science is personalising your health
Tuesday, 26 August 2025, 6–7pm
Wynyard Pavilion, 17 Jellicoe Street, Auckland Central
Are you tired of one-size-fits-all medicine – and maybe even getting sick because of it?
Join Professor Justin O’Sullivan as he rips the lid off conventional healthcare and explores how cutting-edge science is personalising treatment like never before.
Hear how your DNA, gut bugs, metabolic fingerprints and even your digital breadcrumbs can be harnessed right now to craft the perfect drug and diet plan just for you. Get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about health.
Ensuring women’s and babies’ future best health
Thursday 9 October, 9am-5pm
Building 501, Level B, Robb lecture theatre (501-B09), 85 Park Rd, Grafton
You are invited to a special event to celebrate the distinguished career in maternal fetal medicine of Liggins Institute Professor Caroline Crowther.
The symposium will celebrate some of the major contributions, with worldwide impact, Caroline has made to evidence based health care in maternal perinatal medicine, including improving the health of babies born preterm, prevention of cerebral palsy, and caring for women with a high risk pregnancy due to hypertensive disease or gestational diabetes.
WHAKAMIHI | CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Professor Katie Groom, who has been awarded the RANZCOG Excellence in Women's Health Award for her significant contributions to women's health through her work in maternal and perinatal care.
Professor Groom's leadership in the Carosika Collaborative has advanced preterm birth care across multiple districts in Aotearoa New Zealand, directly benefiting whānau. Her research has been instrumental in shaping national clinical guidelines and informing healthy policy, helping to embed evidence-based practice throughout maternal healthcare.
Congratulations to Dr Barbara Cormack on being a Hīkina Kia Tutaki, Celebrating Research Excellence Award winner in the Early Career Research category.
Dr Cormack is a Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Lead for the paediatric dietitians at Starship Child Health. She is the principal investigator on a project to develop the first national Preterm Nutritional Guidelines. She is now leading the AVIatioN study, the first comprehensive evaluation of plasma vitamin status in preterm babies, to further advance safe, evidence-based neonatal nutrition.
The 2025 Hīkina Kia Tutaki, Celebrating Research Excellence Awards, recognise the achievements of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland researchers at all levels of an academic career.
Congratulations to Mark De Hora on successfully defending his PhD oral exam earlier this month. He will be awarded his PhD with very minor corrections and has been recommended by his examiners to be placed on the Dean’s list.
Mark's PhD explored new methods (using LCMS) and new intermediates to improve the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a life-threatening disorder of infancy. His work has been pioneering and will have a significant impact on how CAH is diagnosed going forward, worldwide. He has already published six high-impact papers from his thesis, with several more to appear soon.
Congratulations to Oluwatoyin Oladimeji, who successfully defended her PhD thesis “Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Later Child Health” last month. The examiners recommended that the degree be awarded after only very minor modifications to her thesis.
Congratulations to doctoral candidate Caitlin Woods on winning the University Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Open Heat and representing the Liggins Institute at the finals, with her presentation on midwifery training and retention.
Congratulations to doctoral candidate Catriona Miller, who was awarded an 'honourable mention' for the Mayo Prize for best student presentation at the recent Genetics Society of AustralAsia Conference.
In her 15-minute talk titled 'Sex-dependent prediction of autism, 'Catriona discussed her recent project, which used machine learning to identify genetic differences contributing to males versus females being predicted as autistic or neurotypical.
