Peter Hunter is a world leader in computer modelling of the human physiome — modelling how the body and its parts work on a variety of scales. His pioneering research on the heart is the basis of a number of international projects that have expanded to include all organs. A key goal of Peter’s research is facilitating personalised healthcare, which can be achieved by applying such models to an individual’s health data for diagnosis and treatment.

He led development of CMISS, a suite of software modules. These enable researchers and clinicians to input data, then mathematically model the biophysical outcomes and visualise them in three dimensions. Successful applications of CMISS modules include the diagnosis of heart abnormalities without the need for invasive exploratory surgery.

Peter coordinates international collaborations as a council member of the International Union of Physiological Sciences. He also belongs to the advisory boards of many scientific institutes. His numerous accolades include appointment to the New Zealand Order of Merit, and the Rutherford Medal, New Zealand’s top science award, in 2009.