Sir David Skegg | |
|---|---|
 Skegg in 2010 | |
| Born | David Christopher Graham Skegg (1947-12-16)16 December 1947 (age 77) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Education | University of Otago University of Oxford |
| Alma mater | Balliol College |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Epidemiology |
| Institutions | University of Otago |
| Doctoral students | Lianne Parkin |
Sir David Christopher Graham SkeggKNZM OBE FRSNZ (born 16 December 1947) is aNew Zealand epidemiologist and university administrator. He is an emeritus professor in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at theUniversity of Otago. He was thevice-chancellor of the university from 2004 to 2011 and president of theRoyal Society of New Zealand from 2012 to 2015.[1] His primary research interest is cancer epidemiology.[2][3][4]
Skegg was born inAuckland and attendedKing's College, Auckland. He entered the medical course at the University of Otago, travelling on exchange toHarvard University. He later received a (postgraduate)Rhodes Scholarship to theUniversity of Oxford, joiningBalliol College and working with noted epidemiologistSir Richard Doll.[2][5]
Returning to Otago, Skegg took up the departmental chair in Preventive and Social Medicine in 1980. He was the vice-chancellor of the university from 2004 to 2011. He was president of theRoyal Society of New Zealand from July 2012[6] to 2015.
Skegg has acted as a consultant to theWorld Health Organization and to theNew Zealand Government. He chaired the Health Research Council, the Science Board, and the Public Health Commission.[7] In the1991 New Year Honours, he was appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to medicine,[8] and in the2009 New Year Honours, he was appointed aDistinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, also for services to medicine.[9] Later in 2009, he accepted re-designation as a Knight Companion following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand Government.[10] He has contributed to the study of cervical, breast and prostate cancer, as well as contraceptives and reproductive health.[11]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Skegg was an adviser to the International Science Council[12][13] and the Epidemic Response Committee of the New Zealand Parliament.[14] He also chaired theStrategic Covid-19 Public Health Advisory Group, which advised the New Zealand Government on itsresponse to the pandemic. In that capacity, he has advocated an elimination approach to containing the pandemic until an effective vaccination programme could be rolled out.[15] Under his leadership, the Committee advocated a phased approach towards reopening the country's borders, easing managed isolation requirements for certain travellers, and introducing pre-departure and rapid testing for travellers exiting and entering the country.[16][17]
Notable doctoral students of Skegg's includeLianne Parkin.[18]
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| Preceded by | President of the Royal Society of New Zealand 2012–2015 | Succeeded by |