Faculty of Health

I research inflammation and the innate immune system, with a focus on tissue pathology and blood biomarkers of organ damage, particularly in the brain. I am passionate about research and I love inspiring others to learn about science.
Outside of work, nothing beats being in nature with my wife and kids.

• Impact of microplastics on human and wildlife health
• Role of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Developing and repurposing drugs for inflammatory diseases
• Mechanisms that control inflammatory responses
• Tissue pathology and blood markers of organ damage (especially neurological injury)

• Understanding adaptive and maladaptive signalling during inflammation
• Exploring cytokines, particularly IL-1α and IL-1β, in inflammation and disease
• Investigating triggers and modulators of IL-1 signalling
• Linking inflammatory signalling to tissue damage, pathology, and measurable circulating biomarkers

• Passionate about sharing science with the public
• Outreach to schools and support for curriculum development through university and high school partnerships
• Presented at outreach events, podcasts, and seminars on microplastics, dementia, Alzheimer’s, inflammation, and cannabinoid research
• More information -> www.jackauty.com and www.youtube.com/@dr.jackauty4415

• Bachelor’s in Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Otago
• PhD in Botany and Neuroscience, focusing on cannabinoids and brain inflammation
• Research on hydrogen sulfide and neutrophils (University of Otago)
• Inflammasome and Alzheimer’s research (University of Manchester)
• Lecturer at the University of Tasmania, focusing on inflammation linked to microplastics and Alzheimer’s disease
• Master of Teaching at the University of Tasmania (completing July 2026)
• Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury

Interested in Honours, Master’s, or PhD research in these areas? Email me at jack.auty@canterbury.ac.nz

Dr Phil Borell has been researching and teaching in Aotahi: School of Māori and Indigenous Studies since 2008. Phil graduated his MA with Distinction in 2013. His thesis provides a thorough analysis of Māori contributions to the sport of rugby league between 1908 and 2012. 

In 2022 he completed his PhD thesis, titled 'PolySaturated: Illuminating Polynesian Experiences in Professional Rugby League'. This doctoral thesis utilizes Māori and Pasifika research methods (Pūrākau and Talanoa) to give voice to the experiences of Polynesian (Māori and Pasifika) athletes in professional rugby league.

Phil's research has grown out of his time as a rugby league player, fan and now as a trainer in Canterbury's Premier rugby league competition.

Phil has also published written works examining Māori sporting practices; indigenous masculinity; the politics of sport in Aotearoa-New Zealand; and sport and education in Aotearoa-New Zealand. His current research has a focus on critiquing and rewriting dated narratives of Polynesian masculinity and using sport as a platform for de-colonial practice.

I am currently a lecturer within the School of Sport at the University of Canterbury. I completed my PhD at the University of Waikato where I explored biomechanics associated with ACL injury risk in athletes across pubertal maturation stages using 3D motion capture and force plate technology. Alongside my research background, I have had experience as lecturer, tutor, and a strength and conditioning coach. I am passionate about teaching and research and enjoy working in many different areas of sport and health science.

My work focuses on the creation and erosion of wellbeing in places. I have examined processes and events that contribute to lived experiences of distress and difficulty in a number of towns, cities and regions in New Zealand and the UK, while also working to identify the collaborations, policies and practices able to facilitate wellbeing within them. 

My early research considered rural and urban places disrupted by economic restructuring and neoliberal welfare reform, while more recent projects have focused on disaster-affected places. When examining these variously disrupted environments, I have investigated the spaces and settings within them that people experience as supportive, enabling and therapeutic and even, on occasion, as transformative. Empirical investigations in this regard have encompassed community drop-in centres, retreat centres, respite care agencies, residential care facilities, and urban community farms.  

I am currently an Associate Editor for Health & Place and the New Zealand Geographer, and an editorial board member for Social & Cultural Geography; Emotion, Space & Society; and the Australasian Journal of Disaster & Trauma Studies. 

My work focuses on how neighbourhoods, public spaces, and wider urban systems can support child health and wellbeing through play, active travel, physical activity, connection with nature, and social connection.

I work at the intersection of health geography, public health, child health, urban geography, and environmental social science. My research uses mixed-methods, geospatial, participatory, evaluation, and creative approaches to examine how social, built, natural, and policy environments shape children’s everyday opportunities for health and wellbeing.

Alongside my academic work, I have direct experience in local government as Play Advocate for Waimakariri District Council, a role supported by Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa and Sport Canterbury. This strengthened my focus on translating research into practical action through council strategy, community engagement, public spaces, and cross-sector partnerships.

Dr. Gath's research interests are centred in developmental psychology, with a focus on parenting, family dynamics, and children's social, emotional, and moral development. Recent projects include a focus on child and youth screen media use in relation to developmental outcomes including language, educational skills, social functioning, and mental health.

Dr. Gath specialises in secondary analysis of large-scale datasets, including work with the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), the Growing Up in New Zealand study, the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, and the national assessment dataset from the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA).

Between Sept 2024 and Aug 2026, Dr. Gath has an Emerging Researcher Fellowship with the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation (CMRF) to examine the developmental impacts of screen media use in childhood.

Dr. Jeremy Hapeta (Ngāti Raukawa) is an Associate Professor in Māori Sport, Physical Education and Oranga (Wellbeing) at the University of Canterbury's Te Kaupeka Oranga (Faculty of Health). Prior to joining UC, he worked at the University of Otago's School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences and at Massey University. During those times, in terms of Governance, he also served full terms on Boards of Trustees at Saint Bernadette's School (Dunedin) and Aokautere School near Palmerston North, where he was co-opted on to that Board.

Currently, he is in his second term as the 'Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua' (Iwi Māori Partnership Board) appointed member to the Sport Manawatū Board. Recently, together, these partners just won the Jim Maniapoto Memorial Award at the 2025 Sport New Zealand Awards for their successful partnership between Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua and Sport Manawatū. In relation to other skills, he has a Bachelor's degree in Education (Primary Teaching) a Post-Graduate Diploma in Physical Education, a Masters’ in Education and was a fully registered, scale A, classroom Teacher before joining academia and completing his Doctoral studies in Sport and Exercsie. 

Heretaunga haukū nui

Heretaunga ara rau

Heretaunga takoto noa

Hāro te kāhu

Tīhei mauri ora

Ko Kahuranaki te maunga

Ko Tukituki te awa

Ko Poukawa te waiū

Ko Kahuranaki te marae

Ko Te Hauke te whenua

Ko Ngāi Te Rangikoianake te hapū

Ko Ngāi Te Whatuiāpiti te iwi

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga te iwi whānui

He uri anō tēnei o Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Tahinga.

Ko Aaron James Hāpuku tōku ingoa.

Ahakoa nō Te Ika a Māui ōku hononga whakapapa, i tipu ake ahau i raro i te korowai hukahuka o Aoraki me te ngākau aroha o Ngāi Tahu whānui. Me mihi ka tika ki a koutou te mana whenua o te rohe, a Ngāi Tūāhuriri me ngā uri o ngā hau e whā e noho haumaru nei i raro i te manaakitanga o te hau kainga. Tēnā koutou katoa.    

My research interests are mostly qualitiative, exploring real world experiences and people's social realities, including understanding their beliefs, attitudes and motivations. I am particularly interested in the health and wellbeing of Māori communities and how culture, identity and positive connections to te ao Māori impact upon individuals and whānau.