Rate My Professor Reremoana (Moana) Theodore

Research Professor Reremoana (Moana) Theodore (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa), in the Department of Psychology within the Division of Sciences at the University of Otago, holds a BA from the University of Auckland, PGDipArts from Otago, and PhD from Auckland. She joined the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit in 1998 as an interviewer during the age-26 assessment and returned in 2007 for postdoctoral research on early-life predictors of cardiovascular outcomes, including blood pressure trajectories, using longitudinal modelling techniques. Recipient of the Health Research Council Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2015) and inaugural Māori Health Research Emerging Leader Fellowship (2018-2022), she advanced through roles in aligned longitudinal studies such as the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand, examining Māori and Pacific university graduates' outcomes, and Te Kura Mai i Tawhiti, investigating long-term benefits of kaupapa Māori early childhood education for tamariki and whānau. Promoted to Professor in 2023, she assumed directorship of the Dunedin Study in October 2023 and leads the National Centre for Lifecourse Research. Her multidisciplinary expertise encompasses lifecourse epidemiology, chronic disease development, child health, and Māori health and education, informing early prevention and intervention strategies.

Professor Theodore's scholarly impact is evidenced by highly cited publications, including 'Children's behavioral styles at age 3 are linked to their adult personality traits at age 26' (Journal of Personality, 2003), 'Childhood to early-midlife systolic blood pressure trajectories: early-life predictors, effect modifiers, and adult cardiovascular outcomes' (Hypertension, 2015), 'Māori university graduates: Indigenous participation in higher education' (Higher Education Research & Development, 2016), and 'Why isn’t my professor Māori' (Mai Journal, 2019). Recent contributions feature 'PTSD and suPAR: A multicohort investigation of chronic inflammation' (Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 2026) and 'Childhood sexual abuse and maternal social and financial resources, mental health, and parenting outcomes' (Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health, 2026). She has served as Councillor for the Royal Society Te Apārangi (2018-2021), ministerial appointee to the Southern District Health Board (2019-2022), and Deputy Director of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge, alongside delivering her Inaugural Professorial Lecture in 2024.