Baird was the daughter of Hazel and Alan McIntyre,[1] and grew up in Tauranga, a small town that is on the North Island of New Zealand.

Her husband joined the King George VI School in Honiara in 1970, and soon after Baird followed to teach science and art.

[3] She eventually started a doctoral degree in transplant immunology, working with Barbara Heslop at the University of Otago.

[4] She was made a lecturer in the Microbiology Department at the University of Otago, where she investigated the role of dendritic cells in infectious diseases and cancer.

This lectureship will involve a series of guest lectures across New Zealand and Australia, focusing on the applicant's research, but also including perspectives on equity and balance in science careers.