Sir Richard Faull Retires After Transforming Brain Research

Sir Richard Faull, a pioneering figure in brain research, has retired from his role as director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. Faull founded the centre in 2009, which has since become a global leader in neuroscience, uniting over 500 scientists, clinicians, and engineers dedicated to understanding complex brain diseases.

The announcement of Faull’s retirement marks a significant moment in a career that began in Taranaki. Growing up in the small town of Tikorangi, he developed a passion for science during his formative years at Waitara High School. Sir Richard, the son of local grocers Wilfred and Phyllis Faull, has often shared his deep connection to his roots and the impact of his upbringing on his career.

A Journey from Taranaki to Global Recognition

With ancestral ties to Ngāti Rāhiri and Te Atiawa, Faull has cited influential figures from his heritage, including Urenui-born Te Rangi Hiroa Sir Peter Buck, the first Māori medical graduate of the University of Otago. Faull completed his secondary education at New Plymouth Boys’ High School, where he earned the Taranaki Scholarship, funding his university studies.

Faull graduated from Otago in 1970 and furthered his studies in the United States at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and MIT, focusing on brain research. In 1994, he established the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank in Auckland, which has played a crucial role in over three decades of research on neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and epilepsy.

A Legacy of Achievement and Recognition

At the age of 80, Faull’s contributions have been recognized widely. He was knighted in 2017 for his extensive work in brain research and received an honorary doctorate of science from Otago in December 2022. Earlier this year, he was honored with a traditional korowai and a tokotoko named Aumangea, a symbol of strength, leadership, and wisdom, crafted by Rangi Bailey of Ngāti Rāhiri, acknowledging Faull’s collaboration with Māori in research.

As he transitions from full-time work, Faull will take on an ambassadorial role, continuing to influence the field of neuroscience. His successor as director of the Centre for Brain Research is Professor Hanneke Hurst, who joins from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.

Sir Richard Faull’s retirement not only marks the end of an era for the Centre for Brain Research but also highlights a lifetime commitment to advancing our understanding of the brain and improving the lives of those affected by neurological disorders.