Dr. Tim Angeli-Gordon's career is an excellent example of how charitable donations can fuel a groundbreaking medical research career and lead to significant advancements in healthcare. Read more about his impact in the field of gastrointestinal health and technology.
As a Rutherford Discovery Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), Dr. Angeli-Gordon has dedicated his career to improving the diagnosis and treatment of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders through electrophysiology, new diagnostic devices, technology and interventional therapeutic treatments.
Dr. Angeli-Gordon's journey began with a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Auckland in 2014, following his BSE and MSE degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on in vivo measurement and monitoring of GI electrophysiology, aiming to develop new diagnostic devices and treatments for functional gastrointestinal health disorders. His work spans the fields of engineering, physiology, and clinical medicine, demonstrating a true "bench to bedside" approach.
His research has been supported by numerous prestigious grants and fellowships, including an Edith C. Coan Fellowship from the Auckland Medical Research Foundation. These funds and awards have been instrumental in advancing his research and helping Tim and his team to achieve new levels of clinical understanding for currently under-defined GI disorders, like gastroparesis.
“I’m extremely grateful to the charitable donors who have made this work possible, and I hope they, and their loved ones will benefit from my work.”
One of his team’s most notable achievements is the development of an innovative endoscopic mapping device that measures electrical activity in the gut. This device, which consists of an inflatable sphere covered in sensors, can diagnose elusive stomach complaints like gastroparesis without invasive surgery. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients with chronic gastrointestinal health disorders.
In recognition of his contributions, Tim was recently awarded the Royal Society Te Apārangi's 2024 Cooper Award. This prestigious award highlights his leadership in transferring high-resolution electrical mapping techniques from the research lab to the operating room, bridging the gap between engineering innovation and clinical application.
Currently, Tim serves as the Senior Rangahau and Innovation Manager at Te Manawahoukura, the Rangahau Centre at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, while maintaining a partial appointment at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the Department of Surgery at the University of Auckland.
In his role as the Senior Rangahau & Innovation Manager, Tim uses his research experience to support various kairangahau (researchers), and kaimahi (staff) helping them map out their research journeys and achieve their aspirations. He is passionate about supporting kairangahau, mātauranga Māori (knowledge), and te reo Māori, which attracted him to Te Manawahoukura. His deep commitment to research excellence and his passion for te ao Māori have been critical factors in his success.
AMRF is proud to have welcomed Tim onto our Medical Committee in 2019. His expertise in this specialised clinical discipline plus academic and commercial successes have been invaluable to the peer review process that ensures donors to AMRF are funding the best possible researcher-led scientific research.
Tim’s career is a testament to the impact of charitable donations on medical research. His work not only advances our understanding of gastrointestinal health disorders but also brings hope to patients suffering from these debilitating conditions. Through the support of charitable funding, researchers like Tim continue to push the boundaries of medical science, making a lasting impact on healthcare and improving lives.