Ruth Watson-Black studied Microbiology and Human Nutrition at the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Consumer Applied Sciences and Bachelor of Science in 1998 and a Master of Consumer and Applied Science, with distinction, in 2001.
Ruth has worked in the pharmaceutical industry in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. For almost a decade she specialised in clinical trials, including supporting local level clinical trial centres and project managing clinical trials conducted in the UK, Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australasia.
During this time Ruth was responsible for Phase I to Phase IV projects in a wide range of therapeutic areas including breast cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumours, paediatric oncology and attention impairment, influenza, hepatitis C, cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and renal dialysis.
Prior to joining the GMRI, and while her children were young, Ruth retrained and worked as a childbirth educator for Parents Centre, facilitating antenatal classes for expectant parents.
Ruth started at the GMRI in July 2020. She is excited to be part of the team and back working in the clinical trial field.
