Dr Chris Booker BSc (Hons with Distinction), PhD (University of Otago)
Medical Writer
Chris joined bpacnz in September, 2014 as a part-time medical writer; as of August, 2015, Chris joined the team full-time.
Chris’ role is to research and write articles for Best Practice Journal and other
bpacnz publications. Previously Chris worked for over a decade at the University of Otago, in the Department of Anatomy and Edgar Diabetes & Obesity
Research Centre. Chris’ experience is principally in diabetes and neuroendocrinology research, but his work has involved a range of topics and fields
including cardiovascular disease, nutrition, bioinformatics and immunology. He has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journals,
and assisted in teaching neuroanatomy and the pathophysiology of diabetes in health science courses at the University of Otago.
Mark Caswell BSc (Hons First Class)
Medical Writer
Mark joined bpacnz in 2011. His role is to research and write educational resources for bpacnz publications.
Mark has been a member of the Australasian Medical Writers Association (AMWA) since 2013 and in 2016 he became
an AMWA executive committee member.
Previously, Mark worked at the University of Otago regulating the use of medicines in biomedical research.
Mark also spent time researching the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease at the University of Melbourne.
He has published in peer-reviewed journals and has an interest in creative writing.
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.
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.
Associate Professor Jim Reid MB ChB DipObst(Otago) FRNZCGP FCCP(USA) MPS
Medical Advisor
Jim graduated in medicine at the University of Otago, after previously training as a pharmacist. He undertook his postgraduate work at the University
of Miami in Florida. Jim is the Deputy Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. He also has a private medical practice in Dunedin.
Jim has a special interest in Respiratory Medicine and has published widely in asthma and COPD. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal New Zealand
College of General Practitioners, a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and a member of the Medical Advisory Panel of the
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand.
In addition to Jim’s part-time role as a clinical advisor for the bpacnz Publications Team, he is
also a member of the bpacnz Board of Directors.
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 over 20 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.
David Woods BSc(Hons) MPharm FRPharmS FPS FHPA
Advisor (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)
David is a consultant pharmacist and Professional Practice Fellow (School of Pharmacy, University of Otago) with a background in academia,
paediatric pharmacotherapy and medicines information. He has been involved in teaching evidence based practice and rational drug use for over
30 years at the University of Otago and for other national and international bodies.
David has worked on numerous national and international projects involving safe and effective drug use, including consultancies with
WHO, USAID and the World Bank, and voluntary projects in resource poor settings.
He managed the initial delivery of the New Zealand Formulary (NZF) and New Zealand Formulary for Children.