Professor Michael Baker is a public health physician, epidemiologist, and Professor in the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington. He is Director of the Health Environment and Infection Research Unit (HEIRU); and Co-Director of He Kainga Oranga / Housing and Health Research Programme; Michael's research interests focus on infectious diseases, environmental health, and the health effects of housing conditions. Michael took a leading role in shaping New Zealand’s Covid-19 pandemic response, particularly the elimination strategy. He has been a member of the New Zealand Government’s Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group throughout the pandemic. He has a strong interest in science communication and evidence translation and is the inaugural director of the Public Health Communications Centre Aotearoa. Michael serves on World Health Organisation expert advisory committees concerned with infectious diseases.