
Andrew Shelling
Professor Andrew Shelling is Associate Dean (Research) at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, and also head of the Medical Genetics Research Group. His research is primarily interested in understanding the molecular changes that occur during the development of genetic disorders, focusing on breast and ovarian cancer, and reproductive disorders.
Andrew began at Otago University with a degree in Physical Education and PhD in Biochemistry. He spent three years in Oxford, UK, as a Nuffield Medical Fellow, studying the genetics of ovarian cancer, before being appointed to Auckland University as a Lecturer in 1996, eventually becoming Professor in 2015.
Andrew has served as Deputy Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2001-2013), President of the New Zealand branch of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (2002-2004), Deputy-Chairperson of the Advisory Committee for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (2006-2012), Director of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Honours programme (2008-2016), Associate Dean (PBRF) (2015-2018), Associate Editor for the Human Reproduction journal (2004-2013) and Human Reproduction Update (2021-). He is currently Associate Dean (Research) (2013-), a board member of Breast Cancer Cure, Chair of the Gynaecological Oncology Special Interest Group of the New Zealand Society of Oncology, and is currently acting co-director of the Centre for Cancer Research.

Megan Putterill
Megan is the Strategic Development Manager for Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS).
Her key responsibility is to manage the relationship the University has with the health sector primarily focussed on DHBs in the Northern Region This is embodied by the Auckland Academic Health Alliance (AAHA) partnership which is underpinned by a core set of principles to encourage our institutions to work within a framework of inter-institutional collaboration with a focus on research, strengthening, teaching and education (workforce development) and service.
One of the key initiatives of the AAHA is the establishment of a University/DHB Integrated Cancer Centre. This work is ongoing and forms a significant cornerstone of Megan’s existing role.

Peter Browett
Peter is a consultant haematologist at Auckland City Hospital and Professor of Pathology in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland. He is a graduate of the University of Otago Medical School, and after postgraduate training in clinical and laboratory haematology in Auckland, he was a Wellcome – HRC research fellow in the Department of Haematology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London. Peter is involved in several co-operative group and investigator initiated studies in blood disorders and stem cell transplantation. He is co-director of the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, with interests in blood cancer genomics, biomarkers in leukaemia, and the monitoring of measurable residual disease. Peter is clinical director of the Auckland Regional Tissue Bank, and Grafton Clinical Genomics.

George Laking
George grew up in Wellington and studied medicine in Dunedin and Wellington. He completed his postgraduate work in Britain where he wrote his MD on tumour perfusion and his PhD on the economics of diagnosis. Since 2007 he has worked as a Medical Oncologist in Auckland, with a focus area of sarcoma. He is the Māori Health Lead at Te Pūriri o Te Ora Northern Regional Cancer and Blood Service.
At the University of Auckland George is a Director of Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research. He is funded by the Health Research Council in a Cancer Equity project that seeks to adopt a new model of community-based cancer care in the Northern Region. George is a Medical Director of the Cancer Society of New Zealand and a member of their National Board.
George’s iwi affiliation is Te Whakatōhea, he is involved in Māori Health as a board member of Hei Āhuru Mōwai Maori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa. In his spare time he likes bikepacking, kayak touring, and trail running.