MPI is currently establishing a new Biosecurity Intelligence Team. The vision is to train scientists and data modellers in intelligence practices and then draw from all three disciplines to enhance MPI’s work protecting NZ from exotic and unwanted pests and diseases. This informal presentation will update you on progress with establishing this team and the work that they will be doing.
Eve Pleydell is the inaugural Manager of the Biosecurity Intelligence Team. Eve is a UK-trained veterinarian with a PhD in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She came over to NZ in 2006 to teach Massey University students about infectious disease control before taking up a post with MPI in the Biosecurity Response Team in 2014. After 4.5 years responding to incursions, Eve’s highly motivated to run a multidisciplinary team that aims to minimise the number of pest and disease incursions that MPI has to respond to.
Phil Kerr is the Manager of the National Intelligence Team that works across the breadth of MPI providing strategic and operational intelligence in the areas of fisheries, food safety, trade and biosecurity. With a fisheries science background gained through Te Ohu Kaimoana and customary fisheries work with Ngai Tahu, Phil started his intelligence journey nearly 20 years ago as an analyst in the Ministry of Fisheries. Through a range of roles in the ministry including intelligence, investigations and international fisheries policy, Phil has been both a producer and customer of intelligence. Seeing ‘both sides’ and managing a team engaged in a broad range of areas is challenging but very rewarding in seeing where MPI can take this profession.