We are pleased to welcome on board two new Assistant Research Fellows, Vicky Nelson (left) and Georgia McCarty (right) who joined us in February 2018.
Georgia is originally from Kawerau but lived in Tauranga majority of her life. She graduated in 2016 from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physical Education double majoring in Exercise Prescription and Management, and Sport and Leisure Studies. Georgia then completed her Postgraduate Diploma of Physical Education in 2017 which focused on mental health and whakamomori (suicide) within our Māori youth, with other independent research papers focusing on Māori health providers and Māori health models. Georgia has also just completing a Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga 2017/18 summer research internship before joining the team here at NTMHRU.
Vicky is originally from the Wairarapa and Tauranga moving to Dunedin in 2009 to attend Otago Univeristy, completing her Bachelor of Science. She then went on to complete a Post-Graduate Diploma of Biomedical Science and a Masters of Science in the field of neuroimmunology at the Center of Brain Research, Auckland University. Vicky has joined the Unit after working in the private research sector for the last 3 years, and recently completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Health (with a focus on Hauora Maori and public health research strategies) within the the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine here at Otago Univeristy. Vicky is excited to join the unit team and begin to cement her career within Hauora Māori, including a PhD in the near future.
These positions are funded by a Dunedin School of Medicine Research Development Investment Haumi Whakawhanake Rangahau - Hauora Māori award.