CHDS Advisory Board

The CHDS Advisory Board was established in 2022 to provide high-level oversight of the CHDS programme. The board brings together a variety of expertise from across the academic spectrum, business community, and cohort members. The board meets quarterly to review both research activities of CHDS and to review strategic planning and ensure CHDS policies are fit for purpose.

Chair of the CHDS Advisory Board

Professor Logan Walker

Associate Dean Research | Department Pathology & Molecular Medicine | University of Otago, Christchurch
Professor Walker focuses on cancer genetics, with a particular focus on breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

CHDS Co-Directors

Associate Professor James Foulds

Psychological Medicine Department | University of Otago Christchurch
He has been involved with CHDS since 2015 and became co-director in 2023. His research focus lies at the interface of mental health, substance use, and criminal offending. He also convenes postgraduate teaching in forensic mental health at the University of Otago, and works clinically as a forensic psychiatrist.

Dr Toni Pitcher

Psychological Medicine Department | New Zealand Brain Research Institute | University of Otago Christchurch
She joined CHDS in 2024 as a co-director. Toni concurrently holds a role as Research & Operations Manager at the NZ Brain Research Institute (NZBRI) in the Department of Medicine. Her research interests include neurodegenerative disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease) and Māori health equity, and she brings experience in epidemiology and longitudinal cohorts.

CHDS Principle Scientist

Professor Joe Boden

Psychological Medicine Department | University of Otago Christchurch
Professor Boden has worked since the early 2000s and served as Director from 2019 to 2023. His research focuses on the intersections of substance use, mental health, and maladaptive behaviour.

Māori Health Advancement Advisor

Dr Christina McKerchar

Associate Dean Māori | Department of Population Health | University of Otago Christchurch
Dr Christina McKerchar’s research and advocacy focuses on the right to healthy food within food environments, especially food availability and marketing, food security and food sovereignty. She is also involved in research related to hauora Māori, including alcohol, transport, and housing.

Genetics Advisor

Professor Martin Kennedy

Head of Pathology & Biomedical Science Department | University of Otago Christchurch
Professor Martin Kennedy’s research and career has focused on psychiatric genetics, pharmacogenomics, and the genetics of complex disease.

Mens' Health & Disability Advisor

Dr Ally Calder

School of Physiotherapy | University of Otago Christchurch
Dr Ally Calder’s work focuses on participatory action research, co-design, qualitative, mixed methods, and systematic review methodologies.

Research Funding, Strategy & Technologies Advisor

Professor Anthony Butler

Department of Pathology & Biomedical Science | University of Otago Christchurch
Professor Anthony Butler’s research centres on the interface of clinical medicine and the technical sciences of physics and computing. His current focus is the development of MARS imaging and its translation from high energy physics to clinical medicine.

Psychological Medicine & Institution Advisor

Professor Richard Porter

Head of Psychological Medicine Department | University of Otago Christchurch
Professor Richard Porter’s research focuses on mood disorders, including clinical trials, service delivery, psychological treatments and electroconvulsive therapy.

Key Lifecourse Research Advisor

Professor Moana Theodore

Director of Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Study | University of Otago Dunedin
Professor Moana Theodore’s research is centred on longitudinal cohort studies, including Dunedin Study, the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand, and Te Kura Mai i Tawhiti (a programme of lifecourse research examining the long-term benefits of kaupapa Māori early childhood education programmes for tamariki (children) and whānau (families)).

Study Member Representative Advisors

Dr Marie Squire

Vicki Hubble

Canterbury Business Community Representative Advisor

Peter Townsend

Chair Te Papa Hauora, Health Precinct Christchurch