Distinguished Professor Nigel French Pou Pūtaiao | Chief Science Advisor
The Chief Science Advisor is the primary science advisor for Te Niwha. In partnership with the Director, the Chief Science advisor form the Te Niwha Directorate and as such is responsible and accountable for meeting the scientific needs of the Platform through:
- Providing quality science advice to the Mana Whakahaere - Director on matters requiring scientific depth and expertise
- Meeting the science leadership needs across Te Niwha to ensure research impact is delivered asintended.
- Working to embed Te Kawenata o Te Niwha at the centre of our Platform culture.
Distinguished Professor French provides Te Niwha with more than 25 years of epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases experience and is well regarded within the science sector and the community. Professor French is a current Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in recognition of his leadership of research programmes that contributed to reducing the burden of infectious disease in New Zealand. He is Emeritus Director of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre and has contributed to the COVID-19 response as an epidemiologist and member of the Ministry of Health’s Technical Advisory Group.