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Senior Research FellowCarrie Innes

MSc(Dist) PhD(Otago)

Waikato (Ngaati Mahuta), Ngāti Awa, Tangata Tiriti

Tel +64 3 244 1043
Email carrie.innes@otago.ac.nz

Carrie is a Senior Research Fellow in gynaecological cancer. She completed a Master of Science (with Distinction, Neuroscience) and a PhD (Medicine) at the University of Otago. After completing her studies, Carrie worked as a Research Scientist at the New Zealand Brain Research Institute (NZBRI) for 10 years investigating the impact of brain injury, neurological disease, and sleep disorders on brain function and structure. In 2013, Carrie brought her experience with large multi-centre clinical trial data analysis and modelling back to the University of Otago when she joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Christchurch campus).

Research Interests

Her research interests now have a strong health equity focus centred on investigating prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for people with gynaecological cancer.

Current research projects include:

  • Ngā Haerenga – Journeys study (HRC-funded) which focuses on the inequitable journey from health to gynaecological cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. This nationwide study aims to recruit 525 people with a newly diagnosed gynaecological cancer and has a particular focus on understanding the inequitable journeys of Māori and Pacific people, and people with a rural address.
  • ‘Let’s Test for HPV’ Study (MOH-funded), investigating the impact of introducing HPV primary cervical screening which includes the option of a vaginal self-test (in place of the usual clinician-taken cervical sample). The previous cervical screening pathway which relied on a clinician-taken cervical sample had inequitable coverage and health outcomes for wāhine Māori and Pacific Peoples and HPV self-testing improves screening acceptability and uptake particularly for those who are overdue for screening.
  • Impact of HPV vaccination on cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer on women in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • National Cervical Cancer Review (MOH-funded) which has a major health inequity focus.

Publications

Te Whaiti, S., Rose, S. B., Innes, C., Bell, R., Tino, A., McBain, L., & Sykes, P. (2025). “Mana motuhake - I am in charge and have control over my body”: A cross-sectional survey describing Māori participants' experience with HPV primary screening in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s40615-025-02725-x Journal - Research Article

McBain, L., Bell, R., Innes, C., Te Whaiti, S., Tino, A., Sykes, P., & Rose, S. (2025). Experience of HPV primary screening utilising self-testing: A cross-sectional survey of 'Let's test for HPV' study participants in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) 54th Annual Scientific Meeting. 122. Retrieved from https://sapc.ac.uk Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Rose, S. B., McBain, L., Bell, R., Innes, C., Te Whaiti, S., Tino, A., & Sykes, P. (2025). Experience of HPV primary screening: A cross-sectional survey of 'Let's test for HPV' study participants in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 17(2), 123-133. doi: 10.1071/hc24110 Journal - Research Article

Sykes, P., Innes, C., Bell, R., Nip, J., McMenamin, J., McBain, L., Hudson, B., … Te Whaiti, S., Tino, A., Williman, J., Miller, A., & Lawton, B. (2025). Human papillomavirus (HPV) screening with universal access to vaginal self-testing: Outcomes of an implementation trial. BJOG, 132(9), 1240-1249. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.18159 Journal - Research Article

Sykes, P., Innes, C., Simcock, B., Lawton, B., & Williman, J. (2025). Realising the promise of HPV vaccination: Data from the national cervical screening and vaccination registers demonstrates the impact of HPV vaccination in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 55(5), 1271-1283. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2025.2458028 Journal - Research Article

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