Alumni news
Q&A with Jenifer Lamie
Jenifer Lamie is a Master of International Studies alumna and co-author of The Laws of Spaceflight: A Guidebook for New Space Lawyers. She lives and works in the US as Judge Advocate and Captain in the US Army, where she is an international and operational law attorney. At the start of this year, she took up the position of Brigade Judge Advocate (the legal advisor) for the Cyber Protection Brigade in Georgia.
She also holds an LL.M. in Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law from the University of Nebraska College of Law and has received a J.D. cum laude from Vermont Law School.
Jenifer counts the publication of The Laws of Spaceflight among the highlights of her career. Other highlights include her internship with USSTRATCOM at Offutt Air Force Base and her time as summer law clerk for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, D.C., in the Mobility Division. In her current role, she advises commanders on the law of armed conflict, rules of engagement and international agreements. She provides legal advice, and advises on Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DCSA) issues and on issues that arise within the Pacific, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Jenifer has shared some memories from her time at Otago.
How has Otago helped to shape your life?
The international law course I took as part of my degree was the inspiration for attending law school. That passion for international law, and also areas of law that are unsettled or involve new and developing technologies, has continued from my studies into my career. Having a master’s from an overseas university also gives me a unique perspective on global issues.
Highlights of your university days?
My classmates and I spent a long weekend camping using a university “hut” that was about an hour’s hike off the road. It was great fun, although I was eaten alive by mosquitoes. The other main memory I have is of the many hours studying in the beautiful library.
Memories of favourite lectures?
I remember giving what ended up being an insanely long presentation on environmental policy in Professor Robert Patman’s paper on international politics. I think I had developed over 50 slides and it took over two hours! I got an excellent mark but, in hindsight, I should have been more conscious of other student’s desires to finish the class on time. It was a valuable lesson to learn before making the same mistake during a moot court competition in law school.
What do you remember about flatting?
I had an adorable little flat on the hills in Dunedin, on Orbell Street. I had a beautiful view of hills and living there forced me to overcome my nervousness of driving on the left side of the road.
Memories of Dunedin?
Dunedin was a perfect little town. I am not one for big cities, but I am also not big on being in too rural a place for very long. Dunedin was the perfect size city for me: just enough restaurants and shops; just enough places to go in the evenings without stressing about where I will park. The culture of Dunedin was fantastic and the University itself was picturesque.
Memories of graduation?
We had such a small graduating class, we all stuck together taking pictures before and after the graduation ceremony. As you know, Otago has a million perfect picture places. I still have one of those photos sitting on my fireplace mantle.
Personal highlights?
Graduating with distinction was nice. My family flew out to visit once and we had a fantastic time, especially going over to Fiordland. I went on a trip to Australia with a classmate for a little over two weeks. We went from Sydney to Cairns on a backpackers’ bus and budget. Great times! I saw a lot of the South Island but, sadly, none of the North. Before I started my programme, I picked cherries in Alexandra for a couple months. I think I was the worst cherry picker of all time: not because I ate too many (I only ate the perfect amount), but because I was so slow!
What are your special interests?
I am a pastel artist, although dedicating time to paint has been challenging lately. I enjoy legal writing, but I am also writing and illustrating a children’s book. Being a children’s book author is a side dream of mine. Another is travelling.
Of course, my other life is focused on my family – my wonderful and supportive husband, James Dooley, my perfect stepchildren, Luke and Alison, and Ballard, our English mastiff. They inspire me every day in all aspects of my life.
Alumni Postcards
Caradee Wright
Pretoria, South Africa
Based at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, South Africa, I’m working as a principal researcher in the Climate Studies, Modelling and Environmental Health Research Group - putting my PhD in public health, obtained at the University of Otago’s Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, to excellent use.
I lead a research programme and laboratory that aims to explore the solar ultra-violet radiation-related health risks among Africans of all ethnicities and to develop appropriate sun awareness response tools. My studies at Otago gave me the skills and the confidence to tackle multidisciplinary public health challenges with the need for evidence-based solutions.
Living and working in South Africa provides unique opportunities to explore different sun-related diseases, cultures and behaviours. To some extent, the canvas is blank – by developing the research, presenting the evidence and working in national and international collaborations, we are sure to contribute important knowledge of worldwide interest in the future.
Nadeha Kamaludin
Kuching, Malaysia
I work at the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and I am currently responsible for the leadership, management and development of communication strategies that best convey the university’s brand message, in various media and markets. This is a role that works across the whole university to provide a consistent, cohesive and strategic approach to branding and marketing communications.
I hold a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in economics and management from Otago. With my Otago qualifications and experience, I’ve ventured into several industries ranging from investment holding to civil construction, television broadcasting, marine construction, and now, higher education.
One of my career highlights was my time working in television as a news reader, broadcast reporter and part-time host. My coming into broadcasting happened unintentionally, when I saw an advertisement in the newspaper. Being on television is an exceptionally fast-paced profession, and not about the limelight and glamour. It comes with hard work, tight deadlines and provides great opportunity to engage with different parts of society.
Read Nadeha’s full profile on the Alumni and Friends website.
Supporting Otago: Medical Class of ’79 Undergraduate Scholarship
Mr Mike Hunter, 2014 scholarship recipients Claire Richardson and Mercy Moxham, Professor Rob Walker.
Generosity and giving, as evidenced by the Medical Class of ’79 (MB ChB), is the key to making a difference in the lives of Otago students.
At the 25-year reunion in Wellington in 2004, this class agreed to use the excess funds left over from their event to initiate a scholarship fund – The Class of ’79 Undergraduate Scholarship.
The scholarship fund has now been going for 10 years: the first scholarship was awarded in 2009 and a further 10 have been presented since then. The first recipient, Nicola Baxter, has now completed her degree and is working as a house surgeon.
The scholarship is aimed at second- and third-year medical students who are achieving well, but for whom there is also a demonstrable financial hardship. The scholarships are adjudicated by Professor Robert Walker and doctors Sharleen Johnston and Mike Hunter, who are Dunedin-based graduates of the Class of ’79.
To date, the Class of ’79 has raised more than $130,000 towards the scholarship fund. From the interest generated, two scholarships a year are currently offered and the aim is to keep this going far into the future.
"Receiving the Class of '79 Scholarship in 2009 gave me tremendous support during a time when financial assistance was hard to come by. I am now training to become a physician at Nelson Hospital."
– Dr Nicky Baxter, house surgeon, Nelson Hospital.
Class members make small donations on a regular basis, as automatic deductions from their bank accounts. Credit card donations are also made, enabling overseas classmates to easily contribute as well.
The positive impact of the scholarships has been immense. Students who have benefited from the initiative are extremely grateful to have received assistance, providing the crucial support that has enabled them to continue with their degrees. The Class of ’79 would like to challenge all other graduating medical classes to match – or better – their endeavours with fundraising for the University of Otago.
Alumni notes
Dr Rui Araújo
Dr Rui Araújo, who is a graduate of Otago’s Diploma and Master of Public Health programmes, has been appointed Prime Minister of Timor Leste.
The findings of Dr Araújo’s thesis, “A Suitable Medium-to-Long-Term National Health System for East Timor: an East Timorese Perspective”, were pivotal in designing the new country’s national health system.
He served as an independent in the country’s first transitional and second governments and was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health from June 2006 to August 2007. Following his time in cabinet he worked as a health policy advisor at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance respectively.
Ross Haines 
Oxford University PhD candidate – and Otago alumnus – Ross Haines (pictured with MCC president Mike Gatting)is making a name for himself on the sports field as well as in the classroom. Haines, who gained a Woolf Fisher Scholarship to do a PhD in statistics at Oxford, has recently been named Sportsman of the Year by St John’s College and awarded the title of Walter’s University of Oxford Sportsman of the Year.
This follows his match-saving performance against Cambridge University in which he scored 61 not out from 44 balls, hitting a six in the final over to win the match. Haines is a member of the Oxford MCCU team, a partnership between Oxford and Oxford Brookes University and funded by the MCC, and who will be playing Middlesex and Worcestershire in first-class fixtures in April.
Eliza Raymond
Eliza Raymond, an Otago graduate with a master’s degree in tourism, is the co-founder of GOOD Travel – a business designed to “inspire travellers and tourism businesses to transform the travel industry into a force for GOOD”.
While living in Peru after she graduated, Raymond says, “I came across an amazing restaurant called Yanapay. The food is great and the decor is completely unique, but the best part is that all the proceeds go to a community centre for kids. I wanted everyone to know about this restaurant and the many other restaurants, hotels, shops and tour operators around the world doing great things for their communities - so I co-founded GOOD Travel.
“We offer themed GOOD Tours for individuals seeking to meet like-minded travellers e.g. GOOD Food Peru, personalised trips for schools, universities and businesses, and a GOOD Directory of hotels, restaurants and tour operators for independent travellers.”
Farah Palmer
Phys-ed alumna Dr Farah Palmer has been inducted into the International Rugby Board (IRB) Hall of Fame.
Palmer’s rugby career began with an inter-college game in her first year at University. She went on to national honours as a member of the Black Ferns from 1996 to 2006 and played in three Rugby World Cups, winning every one and earning 35 caps.
She was named Māori Sportsperson of the Year in 1998, IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year in 2005 and was a member of the IRB Women’s Advisory Committee in 2004-05. She is currently a senior lecturer in sport management at Massey University.
Jonathan Squire
Otago Physics honours graduate Jonathan Squire has won a highly competitive honorific fellowship from the Princeton University Graduate School where he is studying after gaining a three-year Fulbright Science and Technology Award.
Squire is developing a new theoretical insight into the growth of magnetorotational instability, a subtle process that appears to control the flow of matter around black holes and has implications for the creation of celestial bodies.
Alumni Benefits
University of Otago Alumni Highlanders Club
The University of Otago has nurtured some of this country’s best rugby talent. Now join us to celebrate the old and the new.
$60 a year gives you:
• A University of Otago Alumni Highlanders membership card
• An exclusive video message from a coach on the day of the game
• Exclusive video content post-match from a player
• Exclusive invitations to pre-match hospitality events at away games in New Zealand and Australia
• Exclusive invitations to meet-the-team events at away games in New Zealand and Australia
• All official Highlanders’ media releases prior to public release
• 20 per cent discount on tickets to all Highlanders’ home games in Dunedin.
AND $5 from every membership will be donated to the University of Otago Rugby Club Foundation for the club’s scholarship fund.
OUSA Radio 1 Card
As Otago alumni, you are entitled to use the Radio 1 card. This membership card entitles you to discounts around Dunedin and is available from Radio 1. Read more and email us to receive your card.
OUSA shuttle service
The airport shuttle service that has been available to students is now available to alumni attending Otago reunions. These shuttles are available for $12 and $15. See ousa.org.nz/shuttles/ and contact us if you would like to use this service when you attend your next reunion in Dunedin.
eConnect newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest alumni news, events, profiles and competitions, delivered to your email inbox. Sign by for eConnect by emailing database.alumni@otago.ac.nz or phone 0800 80 80 98.
Alumni & Friends Facebook page
Connect with us onFacebook and engage daily with other Otago alumni and campus life.
Library membership
Use the University libraries for reading, writing, research and relaxation with an alumni library card.
Reunion organisation
Do you need help organising your class/college/flat/University sport reunion? Contact reunions.alumni@otago.ac.nz
Career development and advice
Whether you are currently searching for a position, considering a career change, or are seeking fresh talent for your business, Otago's Career Development Centre can help.
Contact alumni
Get back in touch with lost friends, flatmates and colleagues from your student days by emailing alumni@otago.ac.nz
IT training courses
The short courses on campus are now available to alumni. Some are free of charge, and all others receive a special alumni discount of 15 per cent. View the list of courses available.
