Neil Pearce serves as Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Director of the Centre for Global Non-communicable Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he has been a leading figure since joining in 2011 after three decades of research in New Zealand. A distinguished academic with a PhD in epidemiology completed in 1985, he previously directed the Centre for Public Health Research at Massey University's Wellington Campus from 2000 to 2010. His academic journey has spanned multiple continents, establishing him as a globally recognized expert in epidemiological methods and non-communicable disease research. Professor Pearce's career reflects a consistent commitment to advancing public health through rigorous scientific inquiry and methodological innovation across diverse disease areas. His leadership roles at prestigious institutions have solidified his reputation as a central figure in global epidemiology.
Professor Pearce pioneered significant work in occupational epidemiology during the 1980s, co-authoring the seminal textbook 'Occupational Epidemiology' published by Oxford University Press in 1989, with a second edition released in 2004 that remains a foundational resource in the field. His groundbreaking research in the 1990s identified the critical role of the asthma drug fenoterol in New Zealand's asthma mortality epidemic, fundamentally reshaping understanding of pharmaceutical safety in respiratory disease management. He further advanced the field through his comprehensive textbook 'Asthma Epidemiology' published by Oxford University Press in 1998, which established new frameworks for studying respiratory disease patterns and risk factors. His research portfolio spans multiple non-communicable diseases, including respiratory conditions, neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes, and indigenous health disparities, demonstrating exceptional breadth while maintaining methodological rigor. This diverse body of work has significantly influenced both research approaches and public health interventions worldwide.
As President of the International Epidemiological Association from 2008 to 2011, Professor Pearce provided strategic direction for the global epidemiology community, promoting methodological standards and collaborative research initiatives. His exceptional contributions to science were recognized in 2008 when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, cementing his status as a world leader in epidemiological methods. Currently directing the Centre for Global Non-communicable Diseases, he continues to advance research on the epidemiological patterns and determinants of chronic diseases affecting populations worldwide. Professor Pearce maintains an active research program focused on applying sophisticated biostatistical approaches to complex public health challenges, particularly in low and middle-income country contexts. His ongoing work promises to further illuminate the pathways to preventing and managing non-communicable diseases on a global scale.
