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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 7278
Email
sherly.parackal@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position
Senior Research Fellow
Qualifications
BSc (Chemistry, Botany, Zoology), PG Dip (Food Science and Nutrition), MSc (Food Service Management and Dietetics), PG Dip (Nutritional Science), PhD (Nutritional Science)
Research summary
Diet-related non-communicable diseases in the Asia-Pacific region, migrant health, Asian health, ethnic-specific dietary assessment, community-centred intervention design, development and implementation (co-design)
Memberships

Research

Sherly is the research lead in non-communicable diseases (Epidemiology and Prevention) at the Centre for International Health.

Sherly migrated to New Zealand from Southern India in the mid-nineties. Since 2010, she has worked towards improving the health and well-being of ethnic migrants in Aotearoa, New Zealand with a particular focus on addressing diet-related NCDs. Sherly is the Principal Investigator of the EMIGRATE project, investigating the health trajectory of ethnic voluntary migrants in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Sherly, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, is also leading diabetes prevention project in Bandung, Indonesia.

Projects

Strengthening Health Information Systems for Migrant and Refugee Health: A Comparative Study of New Zealand, Sweden and Canada.

Investigators and affiliations
  • Dr Sherly Parackal, Centre for International Health, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Associate Professor Soorej Puthoopparmabil, Global Health and Migration Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Sweden
  • Associate Professor Setareh Ghahari, Queens University, Canada

Funding: Matariki Network of Universities

Abstract

The exponential increase in cross-border population movements underscores the urgent need to develop inclusive health information systems (HIS) in migrant-receiving countries. Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s principle of “leave no one behind,” this collaborative study aims to compare HIS in three migrant-receiving countries, namely, New Zealand, Sweden, and Canada, to identify opportunities for mutual learning and strengthen the responsiveness of HIS to the health needs of refugees and migrants.

Guided by the WHO Framework for Strengthening Health Information Systems for Refugee and Migrant Health (2021), the study will examine how HIS components such as data sources, indicators, data management, information products, data use, and governance are operationalised in each country and identify enablers and barriers to integrating migrant and refugee health data, and its use. A cross-country comparative design will be employed using key informant interviews based on the WHO’s structured assessment tool (Annex 9, pp. 188–201). The interview schedule will be adapted to reflect national contexts. Participants (n =15-20), representatives from national and regional health authorities, academic and research institutions, non-governmental and community-based organisations, and relevant international agencies will be identified through professional networks and snowball sampling, and invitations will be sent via email outlining the study objectives, procedures, and ethics.

Findings will inform recommendations for improving system interoperability (e.g., data exchange across systems, use of standardized formats, seamless integration of data, etc.), data use, and policy responsiveness and prepare the three institutions to collaboratively apply for larger funding, such as the EU Horizon.

Other projects

Student projects as primary supervisor

2026: Co-Designing Sustainable Interventions for Reducing The Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Indonesian Adolescents: A Participatory Research Approach Targeting Overweight, Healthy Eating, Adequate Physical Activity, and Reducing Stress Levels.
Candidate: Mrs Eva Indrasari
Degree: PhD

2025: Development of Fitted Portion Sizes for the New Zealand South Asian Food Frequency Questionnaire (NZSAFFQ): A Culturally Tailored Approach to Dietary Assessment
Candidate: Shilpa Treesa Joseph
Degree: Master of Applied Science

2022: Co-designing a diabetes prevention program for urban communities in Bandung, Indonesia.
Candidate: Mrs Noormarina Indraswari
Degree: PhD

Postdoctoral supervision

Bridging the Cultural Divide: Analysing the Primary Health Care Experience of South Asians to Inform the Co-design of a Culturally Safe Primary Care Template for Cardio-Metabolic Conditions in New Zealand.
Candidate: Dr Joby George

Funding: Lottery Health Research Grants 2026

Abstract: South Asians, who constitute one of the fastest-growing migrant communities in New Zealand, face several barriers related to language, culture and information while seeking primary healthcare services. Insufficient cultural respect by the primary care practitioners due to a lack of understanding of diverse cultural norms is a significant contributing factor to low levels of satisfaction with primary care among ethnic minorities, which can worsen existing inequities in healthcare access and health outcomes. This study aims to improve the healthcare-seeking experiences of South Asians at the primary care level. In partnership with East Health Trust Primary Health Organisation, the study will engage with South Asian patients, community leaders, and primary care practitioners to collaboratively explore their lived experiences and community voices about care-seeking at the primary care level. Based on the findings of this exploration, the study will co-develop culturally appropriate care templates with the active engagement of South Asian communities and primary care practitioners. The study is expected to contribute to a more inclusive, culturally safe health system that supports timely, trusted, and appropriate healthcare for ethnic minorities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Improving service delivery for NZ South Asian women with gestational diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Candidate: Dr Sumera Akhtar

Funding: HRC Career Development Award, 2024

Abstract: South Asian women are at high risk of developing gestational diabetes and are almost four times more likely than other New Zealand ethnicities. Women with gestational diabetes are seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes(T2DM) within five to ten years of an index pregnancy. Despite the higher rates of GDM among South Asians, there is a gap in our understanding of the lived experiences, knowledge and management of GDM, which would inform and improve GDM care for NZ South Asian women.

Publications

Smith, C., von Hurst, P., Gibbs, M., Todd, J., Parackal, S., & Choukri, M. (2025). Conference on 'Kotahitanga: Bridging research, industry and practice'. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1017/s0029665125101833 Journal - Research Other

Parackal, S. M., Boyina, S. Y., & Brown, R. (2025). Codesigning the South Asian Diet and Activity Intervention (SADAI): Process and outcomes. Public Health Nutrition, 28, e145. doi: 10.1017/S1368980025100839 Journal - Research Article

Parackal, S., & Pendergast, C. (2024). Codesign in action [Workshop]. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand (NSNZ) 58th Annual Conference: Kotahitanga. (pp. 20). Retrieved from https://www.nsnzconference.co.nz/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Parackal, S., Coppell, K., Anwar, M., & Akhtar, S. S. (2024). Dietary beliefs, knowledge and behaviour of NZ South Asians at risk for cardiovascular disease. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand (NSNZ) 58th Annual Conference: Kotahitanga. (pp. 52). Retrieved from https://www.nsnzconference.co.nz/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Akhtar, S. S., Anwar, M., Coppell, K. J., & Parackal, S. M. (2024). Conventional medication adherence and self-treatment practices among South Asian immigrants: A qualitative study. Journal of Primary Health Care, 16(4), 390-397. doi: 10.1071/HC24084 Journal - Research Article

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