Rate My Professor Warren Tate

Emeritus Professor Warren Tate is a biochemist in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, School of Biomedical Sciences, where he has maintained a continuous association spanning 57 years. He commenced his PhD studies in the department in 1969, joined as a lecturer in 1975, served as Professor for more than 30 years, and was appointed Emeritus Professor on 1 July 2020. His academic career is marked by outstanding contributions to undergraduate teaching and exceptional supervision of postgraduate students, many of whom now hold prestigious positions worldwide.

Professor Tate's research career began with pioneering work on the molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis termination, focusing on eukaryotic release factors and ribosome function at stop signals, establishing his international reputation in molecular biology. He advanced to studies in molecular neurobiology, exploring synaptic plasticity, brain molecular biology, and therapies for Alzheimer's disease, including molecular biomarkers and risk factors. Since 2012, his research has centered on the pathophysiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and its links to Long COVID, investigating mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, immunology, metabolism, and energy production deficits. Key publications include the co-edited volume Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Methods and Protocols (Springer, 2025), providing international protocols for diagnosis and research; Role of mitochondria, oxidative stress and the response to antioxidants in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) (2021); and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroinflammation in ME/CFS and Long COVID (2022). His influence extends through leadership roles on panels for the Health Research Council, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Maurice Wilkins Centre, and Performance-Based Research Fund assessments, as well as grant reviews and mentorship. Major honors include Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM, 2011), Rutherford Medal (2010), Marsden Medal (2018), and Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi (FRSNZ, 1990).