Our People – EOA
Our People
We are Cancer Researchers and Cancer Care Professionals working together to improve cancer care. We provide personalised exercise programmes to support people before, during, and after cancer treatment.
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She leads a research programme focused on the tumour microenvironment, and has a special interest in how adipocytes (fat cells) and innate immune cells affect cancer cell growth, spread and response to treatment.
A key area of her recent research explores how evidence-based, personalised exercise programmes can be used to improve cancer treatment effectiveness and support patients before, during and after cancer therapy. In 2024, Margaret led the establishment of Exercise Oncology Aotearoa (EOA), a collaborative advancing evidence-based, personalised, supervised exercise programmes to support people with cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through her research, Margaret is committed to improving cancer care by integrating research with practical, patient-focused interventions.
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Jess spent six years working in Australia across musculoskeletal, neurological, and rehabilitation settings, including involvement in exercise programmes for individuals with cancer, before returning to New Zealand to complete a Doctor of Philosophy investigating the feasibility of individualised exercise programmes for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Following completion of her PhD, Jess worked with the Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast as Exercise Physiologist Programme Lead. She then moved to the University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha), where she, alongside Professor Nick Draper, helped establish postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, and Masters programmes in clinical exercise physiology.
Combining real-world experience with academic research, Jess champions a person-centred approach to exercise, emphasising tailored programmes that support meaningful function and wellbeing. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research, healthcare, and community practice, and is committed to building exercise oncology services in Christchurch that are embedded within the healthcare system. Jess is excited to be part of the EOA initiative to build connection between clinicians and practitioners and continue to encourage an interdisciplinary approach that is centred around individuals’ wellbeing.
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Nick began his career as a physical education teacher in the United Kingdom after graduating from the University of Exeter. His early interest in human performance led him to complete research training at the Universities of London and New Mexico, building expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods that continue to underpin his work in exercise physiology.
Alongside his academic career, Nick has extensive experience in high-performance sport. He served as a sport and exercise scientist with British Judo for eight years, and as a selector and team manager at European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games. In this role, he designed training programmes for elite athletes, contributing to medal-winning performances at the highest levels of international competition. He remains actively involved in sport at the community level, coaching junior rugby and judo, and has also coached representative and First XV rugby in New Zealand.
An internationally recognised sport and exercise scientist, Nick’s research programme has a strong translational focus, applying scientific insights to improve health, safety, and performance. His current work spans diverse areas including injury prevention in junior rugby, the development of safer sporting equipment, exercise interventions for people with cancer, the health benefits of trampolining, and performance modelling for elite cyclists.
In recognition of his contributions to sport and exercise science, Professor Draper was awarded the University of Canterbury Innovation Medal in 2025.
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With a career spanning clinical practice, education, research, leadership, and governance, Kate is a respected and influential figure in Christchurch’s health sector.
Kate began her career in oncology nursing at Christchurch Hospital, where her early experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to improving care for people at the end of life. She went on to train at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she encountered the emerging hospice movement, an approach that would define her future work. Back in Aotearoa New Zealand, she has played a significant role in the development of palliative care services, education, and national collaboration.
Since 2007, Kate has taught an interprofessional group of health professionals at University of Canterbury, supporting the development of compassionate, patient-centred approaches to care. She is particularly passionate about strengthening community-based models and empowering health professionals and families to support people with life-limiting illness.
Kate brings extensive governance experience to her work, serving on a range of boards including as Chair of the Cancer Society’s Canterbury/West Coast Division. Her contributions have been widely recognised, including the Governance NZ Excellence in Governance Development Award (2017) and the Queen’s Service Medal (2019) for services to palliative care.
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Alice trained as a doctor at the University of Oxford before moving to Aotearoa New Zealand, where she now lives and works in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Since gaining Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2020, she has cared for patients with a wide range of cancers at Christchurch Hospital. Alice is passionate about improving cancer care for everyone in New Zealand, and is an active advocate for lung cancer prevention and cancer care service improvements. Her particular interests lie in service developments and innovations to improve outcomes for Māori & Pacific whānau. As part of her commitment, she is several years into a journey learning te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.
In addition to caring for patients, Alice plays an important leadership role in cancer services across the South Island. She is the Regional Clinical Lead for Cancer in Te Waipounamu (the South Island), helping to guide and improve cancer care across the region. She is also involved in training the next generation of cancer specialists as Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Training Committee.
Outside of work, Alice is an active CrossFit athlete who competes at an international level. She trains in Christchurch and regularly takes part in competitions both in New Zealand and overseas.
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Bridget started as a registrar at Christchurch Hospital in the late 1970s and moved to the UK in 1981, where she gained an M.D (Otago) research degree. She returned to NZ in 1986 as a Consultant Medical Oncologist. Alongside her role in the oncology service, Bridget joined the University of Otago Christchurch in 1998 and became the Mackenzie Chair in 2010. She has acted as Clinical Director to the Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, and Director to He Taonga Tapu Cancer Society Tissue Bank.
Bridget recently retired from clinical practice but is eager to ensure that more opportunities for physical activity and exercise are made available for future patients. Over recent years the benefits of physical activity for cancer have gradually been demonstrated in high quality research studies. Quality of life is improved, including while on cancer treatment, and better survival has been shown for several cancer types. Health services are overstretched and this makes it a challenge to introduce more widespread uptake, and here EOA aims to make an impact.
- Dr Matthew Strother - Medical Oncologist, Clinical Pharmacologist (1) & Senior Clinical Lecturer (2)
- Dr David Gibbs - Medical Oncologist (1)
- Dr Jennifer McLachlan - Medical Oncologist (1)
- Dr Melissa James - Radiation Oncologist (1)
- Ms Bryony Simcock - Clinical Director of the South Island and Wellington Regional Gynaecological Oncology service (3)
- Prof Tim Eglinton - Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon (1) & HOD Dept Surgery & Critical Care (4)
- Ms Birgit Dijkstra - Specialist Breast and Endocrine Surgeon (5)
- Heather Patterson - Centre Coordinator/Professional Practice Fellow, School of Physiotherapy (2)
- Dr Ally Calder - Professional Practice Fellow, School of Physiotherapy (2)
- Pip Griffin - Executive Officer Te Papa Hauora Advisory Council (6)
- Representative of Ngāi Tahu/Ngāi Tūāhuriri - Endorsement from Māori Research Expertise Rōpu (2)
- Dr Kiki Maoate & Dr Allamanda Faatoese - Pacific Medical Association Group (7)
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- 1. Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service, Health NZ Canterbury | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, Christchurch | Ōtautahi 8011, New Zealand | Aotearoa.
- 2. University of Otago Christchurch | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Ōtautahi, Christchurch | Ōtautahi 8011, New Zealand | Aotearoa.
- 3. Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Otago Christchurch | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Ōtautahi, Christchurch | Ōtautahi 8011, New Zealand | Aotearoa.
- 4. Dept Surgery & Critical Care, University of Otago Christchurch | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Ōtautahi, Christchurch | Ōtautahi 8011, New Zealand | Aotearoa.
- 5. Christchurch Surgical Associates, 146 Leinster Road, Christchurch | Ōtautahi 8014, New Zealand | Aotearoa.
- 6. Christchurch City Council, Christchurch | Ōtautahi, New Zealand | Aotearoa.
- 7. Etu Pasifika, 31 Tuam St, Christchurch | Ōtautahi 8011, New Zealand | Aotearoa.