The CUSP

Profile

Name

David Saul

Location

Auckland (Waiheke)

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Genetics (Sheffield UK), PhD Genetics (Sheffield UK), 30 years research experience.

Biography

Despite attending over 2000 parties and nightclubs, I received a degree in Genetics from The University of Sheffield (UK) in 1980 and went on to finish a PhD in Molecular Genetics in 1984 (also from Sheffield). I came to New Zealand for a three year contract and stayed for 25 (so far). Since then I've worked in several fields relating to biotechnology.

For twenty one years, I worked as a researcher and academic at the University of Auckland. My position was Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology and Microbiology. Presently, I'm the Chief Scientist coordinating the R&D program for ZyGEM Corporation Ltd, a Biotechnolgy company with offices in Hamilton, New Zealand and San Diego and Charlottesville, USA.

For a number of years I was the spokesperson for the University of Auckland on genetic engineering and was regularly thrown in front of hostile audiences baying for my blood. Despite this, I enjoyed the challenge and started to get a grudging reputation for straight-talking - even among the most vociferous GE opponents and I was often invited to meetings run by Greenpeace, FoE and GE-free, NZ to represent the pro- side.

One of the most challenging jobs I have face was to act as independent scientist for the Select Committee on the Corngate affair… what an eye opener that was!

History

Member for

1 year 32 weeks