Professor Michael Baker is a public health physician, epidemiologist, and Professor in the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington. He leads a research group focussed on infectious disease and environmental health.

Michael took a leading role in shaping New Zealand’s Covid-19 pandemic response, particularly the elimination strategy. He has been a member of the New Zealand Government’s Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group throughout the pandemic.

Michael has a strong interest in science communication and evidence translation and is the inaugural director of the Public Health Communications Centre Aotearoa. He serves on World Health Organisation expert advisory committees concerned with infectious diseases.