Staff

View the School of Biological Sciences’ staff list, including role and contact details.

Academic Staff
Adjunct Staff - Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
Adjunct Staff - Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
Emeritus Professors
Research and Teaching Fellows
Senior Tutors
Administration Staff
Technical Staff

Head of School

Prof Nicola Nelson

Head of School School of Biological Sciences
- nicola.nelson@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635435
- Room 214, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

Deputy Head of School

Prof David Ackerley

Deputy Head of School School of Biological Sciences
- david.ackerley@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635576
- Room 411, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

Academic Staff

Prof James Bell

Sponge Ecology School of Biological Sciences
- james.bell@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 5233 ext 8104
- Room 409, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Kevin Burns

Evolutionary Ecology School of Biological Sciences
- kevin.burns@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636873
- Room 326, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Davide Comoletti

Neuroscience and Structural Biology School of Biological Sciences
- davide.comoletti@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636029
- Room 307, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Dr Lisa Connor

Cellular Immunology and Vaccination School of Biological Sciences
- lisa.connor@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 5233 ext 7542
- Room 310, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Prof Simon Davy

Dean of Science School of Biological Sciences
- simon.davy@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635573
- Room 406, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Darren Day

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology School of Biological Sciences
- darren.day@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636087
- Room 336, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Elaine Dennison

Clinical Research School of Biological Sciences
- elaine.dennison@vuw.ac.nz
- +44 (0) 238077624
Dr Julie Deslippe

Plant Biology School of Biological Sciences
- julie.deslippe@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636084
- Room 334, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Jonathan Gardner

Marine Biology, Ecology, Genetics and Conservation School of Biological Sciences
- jonathan.gardner@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635574
- Room 335, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Monica Gerth

Microbiology and Biochemistry School of Biological Sciences
- monica.gerth@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4634778
- Room 316, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Kevin Gould

Plant Biology, Associate Dean of Science-Academic Undergradu School of Biological Sciences
- kevin.gould@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636649
- Room 408, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
AProf Stephen Hartley

Director of the Centre of Biodiversity & Restoration Ecology School of Biological Sciences
- stephen.hartley@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635447
- Room 330, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
AProf Bronwyn Kivell

Physiology & Neurobiology School of Biological Sciences
- bronwyn.kivell@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639707
- Room 317, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Anne La Flamme

Immunology & Cell Biology School of Biological Sciences
- anne.laflamme@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636093
- Room 306, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Prof Phil Lester

Insect Ecology School of Biological Sciences
- phil.lester@vuw.ac.nz
- Room 329, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Joanna Mackichan

Bacterial Pathogenesis School of Biological Sciences
- joanna.mackichan@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 4711
- Room 303
Dr Melanie McConnell

Group Manager Cell and Molecular Biology School of Biological Sciences
- melanie.mcconnell@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635233 ext 8136
- Room 309, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Dr Andrew Munkacsi

Chemical Genetics School of Biological Sciences
- andrew.munkacsi@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635171
- Room 322, Alan MacDiarmid Building Kelburn Pde
Prof Nicola Nelson

Head of School School of Biological Sciences
- nicola.nelson@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635435
- Room 214, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Diane Ormsby

Reproductive & Developmental Biology School of Biological Sciences
- diane.ormsby@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635271
- Room 331, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Jeremy Owen

Senior Lecturer - Metagenomics School of Biological Sciences
- jeremy.owen@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635277
- Room 410, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Lifeng Peng

Proteomics School of Biological Sciences
- lifeng.peng@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635233 ext 8076
- Room 302, Alan MacDiarmid Building
AProf Peter Pfeffer

Developmental Biology/Reproduction School of Biological Sciences
- peter.pfeffer@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4637462
- Room 319, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
AProf Nicole Phillips

Associate Professor- Academic (International) School of Biological Sciences
- nicole.phillips@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 470 9259
- Room 332, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Janet Pitman

Reproductive Biology School of Biological Sciences
- janet.pitman@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4637450
- Room 320, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
AProf Peter Ritchie

Evolutionary Genetics School of Biological Sciences
- peter.ritchie@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635233 ext 8105
- Room 407, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Alice Rogers

Fisheries School of Biological Sciences
- alice.rogers@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 4786
- Room 325, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Ashley Rowden

Marine ecology, Marine Environmental Management School of Biological Sciences
- ashley.rowden@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636283
- Room 337, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Rachael Shaw

Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology School of Biological Sciences
- rachael.shaw@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635233 ext 8139
- Room 321, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Ken Ryan

Professor School of Biological Sciences
- ken.ryan@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636083
- Room 333, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Jeff Shima

Coastal & Marine Ecology School of Biological Sciences
- jeffrey.shima@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636494
- Room 328, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
AProf Paul Teesdale-Spittle

Associate Dean - Academic (Programme Development) School of Biological Sciences
- paul.teesdale-spittle@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636094
- Room 308, Alan MacDiarmid Building
AProf Heiko Wittmer

Ecology and Conservation Biology School of Biological Sciences
- heiko.wittmer@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4637432
- Room 323, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Prof Joe Zuccarello

Group Manager - Ecology and Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences
- joe.zuccarello@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636414
- Room 324, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

Adjunct Staff - Medical Research Institute of New Zealand

Prof Richard Beasley

Medicine Medical Research Institute of New Zealand

richard.beasley@mrinz.ac.nz
04 805 0238
Level G, CSB Building, Wellington Hospital Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021

Adjunct Staff - Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

Prof Mike Berridge

Cancer Cell Biology Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

mberridge@malaghan.org.nz
04 499 6914 ext 825
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Central Services Building, Entrance 7 Kelburn Pde, Kelburn Campus

Dr Olivier Gasser

Translational Immunology Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

ogasser@malaghan.org.nz
04 499 6914
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Central Services Building, Entrance 7 Kelburn Pde, Kelburn Campus

Prof Ian Hermans

Deputy Director of Research Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

ihermans@malaghan.org.nz
04 499 6914
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Central Services Building, Entrance 7 Kelburn Pde, Kelburn Campus

Prof Graham Le Gros

Director of Research Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

glegros@malaghan.org.nz
04 499 6914
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Central Services Building, Entrance 7 Kelburn Pde, Kelburn Campus

Prof Franca Ronchese

Immune Cell Biology Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

frochese@malaghan.org.nz
04 499 6914
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Central Services Building, Entrance 7 Kelburn Pde, Kelburn Campus

Emeritus Professors

EProf Charles Daugherty

Emeritus Professor School of Biological Sciences

charles.daugherty@vuw.ac.nz
04 4636085
Room 213, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

EProf Phil Garnock-Jones

Emeritus Professor School of Biological Sciences

phil.garnock-jones@vuw.ac.nz
04 4636085
Room 213, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

EProf John H Miller

Emeritus Professor School of Biological Sciences
- john.h.miller@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636082
- Room 213, Kelburn Parade

EProf Ken McNatty

Emeritus Professor School of Biological Sciences

kenneth.mcnatty@vuw.ac.nz
04 4636085
Room 213, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

Research and Teaching Fellows

Emma Andrews
- emma.andrews@vuw.ac.nz
Dr James Baty

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- james.baty@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639798
- Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Andy Biggerstaff

Experimental Researcher School of Biological Sciences
- andy.biggerstaff@vuw.ac.nz
- Room Level 3, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Alistair Brown

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- alistair.brown@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 5339
- Room 309, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Mariana Bulgarella

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- mariana.bulgarella@vuw.ac.nz
- Room Level 3, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Mark Calcott

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- mark.calcott@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639788
- Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Chris Cornwall

Rutherford Discovery Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- christopher.cornwall@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635720
- Room 321, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Antoine Felden

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- antoine.felden@vuw.ac.nz
- Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Monica Gruber
- monica.gruber@vuw.ac.nz
Kelsi Hall
- kelsi.hall@vuw.ac.nz
Dr Michael Jackson

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- michael.jackson@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639795
- Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Balam Jimenezbrito
- balam.jimenezbrito@vuw.ac.nz
Dr Randy Lacey

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- randy.lacey@vuw.ac.nz
Hungen Lai
- hungen.lai@vuw.ac.nz
Matt Nitschke
- matt.nitschke@vuw.ac.nz
Dr Clint Oakley

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- clint.oakley@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639796
- Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Tifany Oulavallickal

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- tifany.oulavallickal@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 5233 ext 8838
- Room 307, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Kelly Paton

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- kelly.paton@vuw.ac.nz
- Room A357, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Katharina Robichon

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- katharina.robichon@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636874
- Room 324, Alan McDiarmid Building, Gate 6, Kelburn Pde
Sabrina Rossett
- sabrina.rossett@vuw.ac.nz
Abigail Sharrock
- abigail.sharrock@vuw.ac.nz
Dr Stephanie Tomscha

Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences
- stephanie.tomscha@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639783
- Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Chelsea Vickers
- chelsea.vickers@vuw.ac.nz
Dr Helen Woolner

Postdoctoral Researcher in Chemical Genetics School of Biological Sciences
- helen.woolner@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 6090
- Room 323

Senior Tutors

Dr David Maass

Senior Tutor School of Biological Sciences
- david.maass@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635233 ext 8172
- Room 324, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Dr Fabian Westermann

Senior Tutor School of Biological Sciences
- fabian.westermann@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636136
- Room 206, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

Administration Staff

Melissa Fiu

School Manager School of Biological Sciences
- melissa.fiu@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635332
- Room 212, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Paul Marsden

Administrator - Operations School of Biological Sciences
- paul.marsden@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635555
- Room 206, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Mary Murray

Administrator School of Biological Sciences
- mary.murray@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 5339
- Room 206, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Mark Stephen

Administrator School of Biological Sciences
- mark.stephen@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 5581
- Room 206, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Sandra Taylor

Administrator School of Biological Sciences
- sandra.taylor@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635747
- Room 206, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade

Technical Staff

Stephen Meyer

Technical Services Manager School of Biological Sciences
- stephen.meyer@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635579
- Room 211, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Mel Dohner

Laboratory Technical Officer School of Biological Sciences
- mel.dohner@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 4785
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Craig Doney

Equipment Technical Officer School of Biological Sciences
- craig.doney@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4634782
- Room 015, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Joanna Hamilton

Laboratory Technician Officer
- joanna.hamilton@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639757
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Kayla Griffin

Laboratory Technician Officer School of Biological Sciences
- kayla.griffin@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639759
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Dr Derek Heath

Laboratory Technician Officer School of Biological Sciences
- derek.heath@vuw.ac.nz
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Neville Higgison

Equipment Technical Officer School of Biological Sciences
- neville.higgison@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635154
- Room 015, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Susan Keall

Technician School of Biological Sciences
- susan.keall@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635324
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Danyl McLauchlan

IT Systems Consultant School of Biological Sciences
- danyl.mclauchlan@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635735
- Room 301, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Daniel McNaughtan

Dive Safety Officer Coastal Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences
- daniel.mcnaughtan@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4709257
- Room CEL101, 396 The Esplanade
Dr Lesley Milicich

Technician
- lesley.milicich@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 9733
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Stacey Parbhu

Laboratory Coordinator School of Biological Sciences
- stacey.parbhu@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636504
- Room Level 4, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Sushila Pillai

Laboratory Technician Officer School of Biological Sciences
- sushila.pillai@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4634784
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Pisana Rawson
- pisana.rawson@vuw.ac.nz
Paul Roulston

Equipment Technical Officer School of Biological Sciences
- paul.roulston@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 4783
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Chris Thorn

Laboratory Technician Officer School of Biological Sciences
- chris.thorn@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4639756
- Room 401, Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
John van der Sman

Boat Safety Officer, Coastal Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences
- john.vandersman@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4709250
- Room CEL101, 396 The Esplanade