A Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland research institute, improving lifelong health through research into the determinants of a healthy life.
Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
Joined March 2013
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Congratulations to Dr Anja Bronnert, who successfully defended her doctoral thesis, ‘Determining Vitamin Status in Preterm Infants’, earlier this year. Anja's final thesis was accepted, and she’s now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Liggins Institute. Well done, Anja! 🙌
Business of Tech: Inside Auckland University, the innovation engine. Prof Frank Bloomfield appears on this free Business Desk NZ podcast to discuss the tension at the heart of the rush to commercialise scientific research. Listen now: bit.ly/47e4qvo
Congrats to Briar Hunter, who did a brilliant job of defending her PhD thesis, ‘Informing the development, implementation and assessment of the impact of a national best practice guide for equity in preterm birth in Aotearoa NZ’. She was awarded her PhD without corrections. 🙌
Congrats to Jillian Hildreth on a successful PhD oral exam earlier this year. Jillian has now submitted her final thesis, 'EARLY INFLUENCES, LIFELONG IMPACTS: Public engagement with DOHaD concepts in Aotearoa NZ ', and it has been accepted. Well done, Jillian! 🙌
For 25 years the Liggins Institute has worked to improve the long-term health outcomes of babies born preterm. The Moderate-to-Late Preterm Babies Early Brain Development (MOPeD) study is just one of many. Find out more in the @radionz article. 👇 rnz.co.nz/news/health/127866…
In a first for NZ, genomic sequencing carried out in Auckland’s Liggins Institute led to life-saving treatment for a baby girl with the same rare condition that had killed her brother. Find out more in the NZ Listener article. [paywalled] 👇
nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/…
Liggins Institute researchers trial gut-boosting liquid to combat antibiotic over-use. Prof Wayne Cutfield, who is leading the OAK Study, spoke to @1NewsNZ about the research. Watch to find out more and hear from an Auckland mother participating.
bit.ly/3UF4O2V
#Doctoral Opportunity: Improving vitamin supplementation of preterm babies. The Liggins Institute is currently seeking a #PhD candidate to join an HRC-funded research programme focused on optimising vitamin supplementation for preterm babies. Visit: auckland.ac.nz/en/liggins/st…
Annually, about 4,500 babies are born prematurely in NZ. They can have life-long health challenges. On Liggins' 25th anniversary, @radionz meets some of the people at the forefront of research to improve those health outcomes and more. 👇 bit.ly/4zZfiKJ
What fathers eat before conception could influence their children’s health. New research suggests obesity linked to Western-style diets may be passed on through sperm, challenging long-held assumptions about parental influence. Listen to Dr Ben Albert. rnz.co.nz/national/programme…
The June Liggins Link is now available to read online: createsend.com/t/r-E467A6EF3…. Sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter for updates on our studies, events, research breakthroughs and more: confirmsubscription.com/h/r/…
Liggins doctoral candidate Dalia Kadow competed in the 2026 University of Auckland 3MT Finals. Her fascinating presentation 'Kawakawa, Tikanga and Trust' is now available to watch on YouTube. Check it out to learn more about her PhD research. 👇
youtu.be/iJATiFI5vsg?si=_k0t…
A father’s junk food diet can trigger obesity in his unborn kids. Animal research reveals a father’s Western junk-food diet can have a greater biological impact on offspring than a mother’s diet. Dr Ben Albert discusses this research @NewsroomNZ. Read: newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/18/a-…
Dr Theo Portlock from the Liggins Institute joined @radionz Nights to discuss why more NZers under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Whether it's diet, lifestyle, gut bacteria, or something else, scientists are investigating. Listen 👇
bit.ly/452ZyYT
Missed our recent public lecture, 'Tiny babies, big questions: the high-stakes science of early nutrition'? The recording is now online. Watch Prof Frank Bloomfield, Dr Barbara Cormack & Dr Tanith Alexander in this fascinating discussion on neonatal care: bit.ly/4fSoTtk
At this year’s Raising the Bar event on 25-Aug, 20 leading academics, including our very own Dr Ben Albert, will deliver fascinating talks at 10 inner-city bars. Register for a free ticket to 'Setting baby on a healthy path: the influence of mum and dad'. bit.ly/4h7uqyC
Bowel cancer is surging in under-50s – here’s how AI could catch it early. Between 2000 and 2020, bowel cancer rates rose 26 percent per decade – researchers think gut bacteria DNA holds the answer. Learn more from Liggins Dr Theo Portlock @NewsroomNZ. bit.ly/3TQxXHR
Come and be inspired as a dozen top doctoral candidates share their research stories with a 500-strong audience in less than three minutes each, for the honour of representing the University – and New Zealand – internationally. All are welcome! Book now: bit.ly/4wpQcC8
Our 25th Anniversary research video series continues with Dr Catriona Miller, a Liggins postdoctoral researcher whose work combines engineering, data and health research to help improve outcomes for babies and their families. #Liggins25 #Genomics #PrecisionHealth #DigitalTwins
Last week, we were delighted to host our public lecture, ‘Tiny babies, big questions: the high-stakes science of early nutrition.’ A huge thank you to presenters Prof Frank Bloomfield, Dr Barbara Cormack, and Dr Tanith Alexander, and to everyone who attended. Video coming soon.
ALT Professor Frank Bloomfield presenting at the Liggins Institute public lecture, ‘Tiny babies, big questions: the high-stakes science of early nutrition.’
ALT Dr Barbara Cormack presenting at the Liggins Institute public lecture, ‘Tiny babies, big questions: the high-stakes science of early nutrition.’
ALT Dr Tanith Alexander presenting at the Liggins Institute public lecture, ‘Tiny babies, big questions: the high-stakes science of early nutrition.’
ALT Sylvia McDougall, Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding and Dr Tanith Alexander