Dr Papillon Gustafson BSc (Hons First Class), PhD (University of Otago)
Medical Writer
Papi joined the bpacnz medical writing team in 2018. Her role is to research and write articles for bpacnz publications.
Previously, Papi worked at the University of Otago as a postdoctoral research fellow. Papi completed her doctoral research at the University of
Otago in neuroendocrinology in 2016, working on the hormonal regulation of stress during pregnancy and lactation.
Papi has published articles in peer-reviewed journals and provided teaching support in a variety of health sciences courses,
including neurobiology and reproductive biology.
Tayla Hope BBiomedSc (Otago)
Medical Writer (intern)
Tayla joined bpacnz in 2021, following completion of the summer graduate scholarship programme. Her role is to research
and write articles for bpacnz publications. Tayla recently completed her Biomedical Sciences degree at the University of Otago, majoring
in Drugs and Human Health, with Council Commendation for Exceptional Performance. During her studies, Tayla worked for a local pharmacy
undertaking medicine delivery duties, including responsibility for signing in controlled drugs. She has particular interest in cancer
biology and applying molecular pharmacology to improve the burden of disease.
Mikaela Larsen-Walsh BA (English and French, Otago), DipGrad (endorsed in Psychology, Otago),
Foundations of Advertising and Media (Auckland University of Technology)
Medical Writer (intern)
Mikaela joined the bpacnz medical writing team in 2021, following completion of the summer graduate scholarship programme. Her role is to research,
write and update existing articles for bpacnz. Previously, Mikaela worked as an account executive for FCB New Zealand, a global and fully integrated
advertising agency focused on delivering change and business success through behaviour and attitude change. As an account executive, Mikaela worked
closely with clients and partners, liaising sales and campaigns between the client, creative, media, social, digital and production teams. While
undertaking post-graduate psychology study, Mikaela also worked as a research assistant for the developmental psychology department
at the University of Otago.
Dr Adrian Patterson BSc (Hons First Class), PhD (University of Otago)
Medical Writer
Adrian joined the bpacnz publications team in 2018 after gaining experience in medical writing. He had previously completed his
doctoral studies at the University of Otago in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, where his research focused on the mechanisms
controlling a form of bacterial adaptive immunity known as CRISPR-Cas.
Adrian has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and has a passion for communicating unbiased and concise healthcare information.
Dr Sharyn Willis BSc(Hons), MBChB (Otago), Dip Obst (Distinction)
Medical Advisor
Dr Willis has worked for bpacnz since 2007, as a General Practice clinical advisor to the publications team,
and a medical writer. Her role is to provide clinical oversight and to assist in developing clinical content for bpacnz publications.
Sharyn also takes a lead role in the development of continuing medical education resources, including clinical audits,
for General Practitioners.
Sharyn has almost 30 years experience as a General Practitioner. She worked full-time in her own practice for ten years
and since joining bpacnz has continued to work part-time in a local general practice. Sharyn has previous
experience in teaching as a clinical tutor for medical students in her own practice and as a tutor in the Department
of General Practice at the University of Otago. She has co-authored research publications and has provided general practice
support for research projects with Professor Jim Mann in the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago.
Associate Professor Jim Reid - Honorary advisor (General practice)
David Woods – Honorary advisor (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)
