Meet out Speakers
Professor Kate Seib
Professor Kate Seib (BSc (Hons), PhD) is a NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Principal Research Leader and the Associate Director (Research) at the Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Australia. Prof Seib's work includes the discovery, pre-clinical characterisation and clinical evaluation of gonococcal vaccine candidates, as well as the use of mathematical modelling to assess the potential impact of different vaccines and vaccine implementation strategies on gonococcal prevalence.
Professor Kate Seib (BSc (Hons), PhD) is a NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Principal Research Leader and the Associate Director (Research) at the Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Australia. Prof Seib's work includes the discovery, pre-clinical characterisation and clinical evaluation of gonococcal vaccine candidates, as well as the use of mathematical modelling to assess the potential impact of different vaccines and vaccine implementation strategies on gonococcal prevalence.
Professor Richard Hillman
Professor Richard Hillman runs the Dysplasia & Anal Cancer Services within HIV & Immunology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and holds academic appointments at the Universities of NSW and Sydney. His research interests include the epidemiology of anal HPV infection and the development of screening guidelines. Richard is Immediate Past President of the International Anal Neoplasia Society, where he led the development of international guidelines for the practice of High Resolution Anoscopy and DARE.
Professor Richard Hillman runs the Dysplasia & Anal Cancer Services within HIV & Immunology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and holds academic appointments at the Universities of NSW and Sydney. His research interests include the epidemiology of anal HPV infection and the development of screening guidelines. Richard is Immediate Past President of the International Anal Neoplasia Society, where he led the development of international guidelines for the practice of High Resolution Anoscopy and DARE.
Dr Alexis Daniel Lara Rivero MBBS (AMC), MAIMS, FACD
Dr Lara Rivero graduated from medical school and completed his postgraduate dermatology training in Venezuela. He worked as a Consultant Dermatologist in both public and private practices in Venezuela, before moving to Australia to continue his work. He combined research and clinical experience and is a member of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. He is a Consultant Dermatologist at the Skin Hospital Darlinghurst and Premier Specialists Kogarah, and also a Dermatology Staff Specialist at St George Hospital.
Dr Lara Rivero graduated from medical school and completed his postgraduate dermatology training in Venezuela. He worked as a Consultant Dermatologist in both public and private practices in Venezuela, before moving to Australia to continue his work. He combined research and clinical experience and is a member of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. He is a Consultant Dermatologist at the Skin Hospital Darlinghurst and Premier Specialists Kogarah, and also a Dermatology Staff Specialist at St George Hospital.
Elina Ashimbayeva (she/her)
Elina Ashimbayeva (she/her)
co-founded Storyo, a platform that shares the journeys of women, gender-diverse
and other marginalised folks in Aotearoa. With 170+ stories in the bag, her
recent series on pleasure, sexual & reproductive health features 25 people
of diverse backgrounds sharing their vulnerable stories, challenges and
anecdotes. She will be presenting these to us as taonga to learn from. Elina
also works as an Experience Designer in the health sector.
Elina Ashimbayeva (she/her) co-founded Storyo, a platform that shares the journeys of women, gender-diverse and other marginalised folks in Aotearoa. With 170+ stories in the bag, her recent series on pleasure, sexual & reproductive health features 25 people of diverse backgrounds sharing their vulnerable stories, challenges and anecdotes. She will be presenting these to us as taonga to learn from. Elina also works as an Experience Designer in the health sector.
Emma Best
Dr Emma Best is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases specialist at Starship children’s health and a senior lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics University of Auckland. She has research interests particularly in vaccine preventable diseases and appropriate antimicrobial prescribing for children. She is part of a team leading paediatrician surveillance of congenital syphilis and has adocated for repeat antenatal syphilis testing in the northern region.
Dr Emma Best is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases specialist at Starship children’s health and a senior lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics University of Auckland. She has research interests particularly in vaccine preventable diseases and appropriate antimicrobial prescribing for children. She is part of a team leading paediatrician surveillance of congenital syphilis and has adocated for repeat antenatal syphilis testing in the northern region.
Frances Crane (she/her)
Frances Crane is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Te Toka Tumai in the Long-acting Reversible Contraception clinic, Gynaecology, Women’s Health. Frances is a RN designated prescriber in primary health and speciality teams. She trains on the national LARC training programme and is passionate about the equitable access to quality contraception services.
Frances Crane is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Te Toka Tumai in the Long-acting Reversible Contraception clinic, Gynaecology, Women’s Health. Frances is a RN designated prescriber in primary health and speciality teams. She trains on the national LARC training programme and is passionate about the equitable access to quality contraception services.
Mary Birdsall
Mary Birdsall is the previous Chair and Group Medical Director of Fertility Associates. She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2021 and could not find any local support and was surprised to be offered a treatment protocol from 1974. She has since founded a charity: Anal Cancer Support Services Aotearoa (ACSSA). This charity has an informative website, provides a peer to peer support programme and runs a private facebook group for the kiwi community affected by anal cancer. ACSSA also advocates for all strategies to prevent and improve treatments for anal cancer.
Mary Birdsall is the previous Chair and Group Medical Director of Fertility Associates. She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2021 and could not find any local support and was surprised to be offered a treatment protocol from 1974. She has since founded a charity: Anal Cancer Support Services Aotearoa (ACSSA). This charity has an informative website, provides a peer to peer support programme and runs a private facebook group for the kiwi community affected by anal cancer. ACSSA also advocates for all strategies to prevent and improve treatments for anal cancer.
Dr Joanna Lambert (she/her)
Dr Jo Lambert is a Fellow and the Chair of NZCSRH. She is Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mutunga and Te Ati Āwa. Jo is currently the Māori Health Lead at Te Toka Tumai Auckland Hospital in Adult Community and Longterm Conditions and works clinically as a Forensic Examiner at the Auckland Adult Sexual Assault Service. She is a passionate advocate and trainer in trauma informed, culturally confident care in Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Dr Jo Lambert is a Fellow and the Chair of NZCSRH. She is Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mutunga and Te Ati Āwa. Jo is currently the Māori Health Lead at Te Toka Tumai Auckland Hospital in Adult Community and Longterm Conditions and works clinically as a Forensic Examiner at the Auckland Adult Sexual Assault Service. She is a passionate advocate and trainer in trauma informed, culturally confident care in Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Professor Bev Lawton
Professor Bev Lawton (Ngāti Porou), is the founder/director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine (the National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa). Professor Lawton’s significant contribution to advancing cervical cancer prevention in New Zealand, is in her advocacy and research in HPV self-testing. Bev has been a strong advocate to ensure the cervical screening programme is safe and equitable for wāhine Māori.
Professor Bev Lawton (Ngāti Porou), is the founder/director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine (the National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa). Professor Lawton’s significant contribution to advancing cervical cancer prevention in New Zealand, is in her advocacy and research in HPV self-testing. Bev has been a strong advocate to ensure the cervical screening programme is safe and equitable for wāhine Māori.
Tom Naves | Body Positive
Tom Naves has vast experience in customer relationship management and a postgraduate degree in Business. He has recently found purpose in the community sector and currently works as the leader of the outreach team at Body Positive. Originally from Brazil, he made Aotearoa home seven years ago, and has a passion for writing and all things art.
Tom Naves has vast experience in customer relationship management and a postgraduate degree in Business. He has recently found purpose in the community sector and currently works as the leader of the outreach team at Body Positive. Originally from Brazil, he made Aotearoa home seven years ago, and has a passion for writing and all things art.
Margaret Sage
Margaret is a cytopathologjst with a longstanding interest in cervical cytology, education and cervical screening programme development.
Margaret is currently a reporting pathologist at APS in Auckland, coordinates the National Cervical Pathology Training Service and is the Clinical Lead for Pathology in the NCSP in Wellington.
Margaret is a cytopathologjst with a longstanding interest in cervical cytology, education and cervical screening programme development.
Margaret is currently a reporting pathologist at APS in Auckland, coordinates the National Cervical Pathology Training Service and is the Clinical Lead for Pathology in the NCSP in Wellington.
Julia Scott
Julia is a sexual health physician at Tū Ora Wellington Sexual Health Service, and a public health physician at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) where she provides clinical oversight for national STI, hepatitis B, C and mpox surveillance. She is past president of NZSHS and currently represents NZSHS on the executive committee of the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Alliance.
Julia is a sexual health physician at Tū Ora Wellington Sexual Health Service, and a public health physician at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) where she provides clinical oversight for national STI, hepatitis B, C and mpox surveillance. She is past president of NZSHS and currently represents NZSHS on the executive committee of the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Alliance.
Andrew Wallis B.Sc.
Andy Wallis is from the United Kingdom and trained to be a nurse at the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences of the University of Nottingham. After some time in general and community nursing he began his sexual health work in the Genito-Urinary Clinic at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Prior to embarking on a nursing career Andy worked in NHS management which is why he moved into the nursing profession!
Andy moved to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2012 with his partner and has worked with the Auckland Regional Sexual Health Service since then. For past eighteen months he’s been involved with a small team of nurses tasked with the job of stemming the unrelenting tide of syphilis infections through a partner notification scheme and more recently he’s become involved in making approaches to those among the hard to reach, high risk candidates for syphilis as well as continuing to offer general sexual health services in ASHS clinics.
In addition to his nursing work Andy also works as a priest in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Andy Wallis is from the United Kingdom and trained to be a nurse at the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences of the University of Nottingham. After some time in general and community nursing he began his sexual health work in the Genito-Urinary Clinic at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Prior to embarking on a nursing career Andy worked in NHS management which is why he moved into the nursing profession!
Andy moved to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2012 with his partner and has worked with the Auckland Regional Sexual Health Service since then. For past eighteen months he’s been involved with a small team of nurses tasked with the job of stemming the unrelenting tide of syphilis infections through a partner notification scheme and more recently he’s become involved in making approaches to those among the hard to reach, high risk candidates for syphilis as well as continuing to offer general sexual health services in ASHS clinics.
In addition to his nursing work Andy also works as a priest in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Max Whitehurst
(he/him,they/them)
Max joined the National Commissioning team in November 2022 as Project Manager – Gender-Affirming Primary Care to implement the Budget 22 initiative. Previously, he was working within Te Toka Tumai as Co-ordinator of the Sexual Health Education Unit, working to improve health outcomes for priority populations. Max comes into this project having both been through, and worked within, gender-affirming services and is driven to better align our services with the needs of those accessing them.
Max joined the National Commissioning team in November 2022 as Project Manager – Gender-Affirming Primary Care to implement the Budget 22 initiative. Previously, he was working within Te Toka Tumai as Co-ordinator of the Sexual Health Education Unit, working to improve health outcomes for priority populations. Max comes into this project having both been through, and worked within, gender-affirming services and is driven to better align our services with the needs of those accessing them.
More speakers to be announced soon