Julian Paton trained in the UK, USA and Germany. From 1994-2017 he led a research group at the University of Bristol before transferring to the University of Auckland.  He currently holds a Chair in Translational Physiology and is the Director of Manaaki Manawa - The Heart Research Centre in the Auckland region. His interests are neural mechanisms regulating the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in health and disease. His work extends from an understanding of gene function in animal models to first in human, proof of concept trials. His current work has identified novel targets for controlling both sympathetic activity and breathing dis-orders in hypertension and heart failure. Through his spin-out company - Ceryx Medical, he is developing a novel type of pacemaker.