Dr Mark H. Oliver BSc, MSc(Hons), PhD

• NRCGD Project Co-leader

• Senior Research Fellow, Liggins Institute

• Ngapouri Research Farm Research Director

Research interests

• Metabolic and endocrine consequences for postnatal life following abnormal fetal growth

• Development of treatments to improve fetal growth after its failure

• Factors affecting maternal adaptation to pregnancy and their intergenerational effects

• Premature birth, its origin and consequences

• Synergy between biomedical and agricultural research in the areas listed above

• Health and welfare of production animals before, during and after pregnancy

NRCGD Project: Click here for details

Biography

Dr Mark Oliver studied ruminant physiology for his Masters thesis at the University of Waikato. This involved the purification and characterisation of peptides from sheep reticulo-rumen. He then started a PhD in 1989 within the Paediatrics Department, The University of Auckland, where he investigated the nutritional regulation of insulin-like growth factors, insulin and placental lactogen during pregnancy. At AgResearch, Ruakura from 2003–2005, Mark continued studies on the regulation of fetal growth. In 1995 he returned to The University of Auckland to begin studies on the effect maternal nutrition during pregnancy has on postnatal endocrine and metabolic regulation. He also worked on a number of commercially funded projects.

Following Mark's involvement in 2 years of planning and business case development the Ngapouri Research Laboratory was opened on a South Waikato Landcorp property in 2004. Mark has continued working at the site with a growing number of fellows, students and technicians, taking a lead role in training and project development. The Ngapouri Research Laboratory has become an important link with other research interests particularly within Landcorp Farming Ltd and Massey University. Mark is committed to growing these links.

Contact details

Ngapouri Research Farm Laboratory

The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland

2739 State Highway 5

RD2

Reporoa 3083, New Zealand

Email ; Phone +64 7 3338493