Sir Richard Faull Retires After Decades of Pioneering Brain Research

Sir Richard Faull, a prominent figure in the field of neuroscience, has officially retired from his role as the director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. Faull established the centre in 2009, and under his leadership, it has become a leading institute in brain research, uniting over 500 scientists, clinicians, and engineers dedicated to advancing the understanding of the human brain.

Faull’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career that has spanned several decades. Born in Tikorangi, a small town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand, he developed a passion for science early in life. His educational journey began at Waitara High School, where he first discovered his love for the subject. Faull has often reflected on the impact of his upbringing in Taranaki and the lasting influence it has had on his professional life.

With ancestral ties to Ngāti Rāhiri and Te Atiawa, Faull has frequently cited Te Rangi Hiroa Sir Peter Buck, the first Māori medical graduate of the University of Otago, as a major inspiration. After completing his secondary education at New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Faull was awarded the Taranaki Scholarship, which funded his university studies.

He graduated from the University of Otago in 1970 and subsequently pursued advanced studies in brain research at prestigious institutions, including Harvard and MIT in the United States. In 1994, he founded the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank in Auckland, which has been instrumental for over 30 years in facilitating research on various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and epilepsy.

Faull, now 80, received a knighthood in 2017 in recognition of his significant contributions to brain research. Earlier this year, he was honored with a korowai and a tokotoko named Aumangea, symbolizing strength, leadership, and wisdom, which was crafted by Rangi Bailey of Ngāti Rāhiri. This recognition highlighted his work with Māori communities in brain research. In December 2022, he was also awarded an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Otago.

Transitioning from his full-time role, Faull will now take on an ambassadorial position at the Centre for Brain Research. His successor as director is Professor Hanneke Hurst, who joins from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. Hurst’s appointment signals a new chapter for the centre, which continues to thrive under the foundation laid by Faull.

As Faull steps away from the day-to-day operations, his legacy in the field of neuroscience will undoubtedly resonate through the work of the many researchers and students he has inspired throughout his career.