AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Mary Silcock

A trained paediatric occupational therapist, Mary Silcock of Hokitika has completed a post graduate diploma in Occupational Therapy and is currently working on her thesis for a Master of Philosophy. 

As a mother to three pre-schoolers and a distance student, Mary will take two years to complete the Masters programme.   

Community service is a familial trait and Mary is currently involved with the local organisations involving children.

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND POSTGRADUATE

Eleanor Riddick

Eleanor is studying to become a clinical psychologist and recently selected her thesis topic, one bound to create interest: Siblings of children who have cancer in full or partial remission: A family systems approach to the experience of child-cancer, or by its short title:  Brothers and sisters of cancer survivors. 

She plans to work in New Zealand and overseas.  She has an interest in neuropsychology and advocating for equitable health rights for minority and disadvantaged populations such as Maori, Pacific Island and disability groups.

Elizabeth Chan

She aspires to become a judge’s clerk at the New Zealand Court of Appeal or Supreme Court or a policy analyst in the Asia division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

Fluent in English, Cantonese, French and Mandarin; in the final year of a Bachelor of Arts specialising in political studies and French; doing Honours in Law; with an interest in international human rights law, feminist jurisprudence and global development, her aspirations could one day become reality.

Max Harris

Ambition, optimism and a passion for social change are the personal drivers for Max Harris of Thorndon.  In the final year of a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history and political studies and a Bachelor of Law with Honours, Max has plans for further study, internationally.

 His has excelled at debating, public speaking and theatre – all skills which will help with an eventual career where he can combine legal practice, academia and politics.

Renee Johansen

A volunteer interest in habitat restoration on islands in the Hauraki Gulf has led Renee to a Bachelor of Science, majoring in ecology and study in conservation ecology.  She plans a post graduate diploma in environmental science and management and later a Master’s degree.

Renee is inspired by the wide range of people who volunteer, enjoying their work while gaining skills and confidence, and improving their understanding of the country’s natural heritage.

Alex Petty

In the final year of a Bachelor of Optometry, Alex Petty is keen to start work gaining the practical experience necessary to become a competent optometrist.  Ultimately he aims to open his own optometry practice.

 Post-graduate study is also a possibility as Alex’s summer studentship experience provided a respect for the possibilities of optometric research.  Two of his posters have been presented at an international conference and abstracts published.

James Tremlett

Armed with a conjoint degree in Arts and Science, James Tremlett is set to travel, observing and participating in sustainable development projects, in the Pacific Islands, India, Southeast Asia and Latin America.   

With a passion for environmental issues and social justice, further study and a career encompassing environmental protection and social development looks likely for James,  a young man keen to help some of the poorest of the world to better their livelihoods.

UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO – POSTGRADUATE

Melanie Haeta

Melanie Haeata is indeed a busy woman.  She is completing her Master of Social Sciences with a research focus on anxiety and depression in antenatal couples and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology. As well as studying towards becoming a registered clinical psychologist, Melanie is a full-time solo parent of an eight-year-old daughter.

 She is involved in a range of governance and leadership roles and is an active volunteer in her community.

Vanessa Cameron-Lewis

Vanessa came to Waikato University with a background in sexual abuse prevention. Her focus has been the facilitation of preventative sexual abuse education in secondary schools. Vanessa left this work to embark on a Bachelor of Social Science degree majoring in education studies. She has continued on to graduate study, undertaking a Bachelor of Social Science with Honours.

 Vanessa has spent the majority of her working life in the community sector and continues to serve on social justice collectives and non-governmental organisations while studying full-time.

Irene Lichtwark

Irene Lichtwark of Cambridge came to New Zealand 15 years ago from Germany with a Diploma in agriculture.  After the birth of her first child she gained a diploma allowing her to teach antenatal classes.  As a mother of three and mutual childcare arrangements between four local families, Irene gained a Bachelor in Social Sciences majoring in psychology.

Now in her Honours year, Irene is focusing on the couvade syndrome, an assortment of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms that some men experience when their partners are pregnant.

Claire Mulholland

Helping care for her wheelchair-bound mother and a love of biology have fuelled a desire in Claire to pursue a career in biomedical research.

She is currently completing a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology. In July this year she will begin a Master of Science in biology.  She is particularly interested in neurology and hopes to undertake research in this field.

Steven Rae

First-change bowler and middle-order batsman, Steven Rae of Mt Maunganui manages to keep a balanced lifestyle that means he can maximise every opportunity presented.

He is in his final year of a Bachelor of Management Studies (Honours)/Bachelor of Science with majors in accounting and statistics. Upon graduation, Steven’s next challenge will be a Master in Management Studies, followed by a career in business and management and hopefully a place in the Northern Districts A cricket team.

MASSEY UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE

Kirsty Furness

Immigrating to New Zealand from South Africa at age 16 was a life-changing event for Kirsty Furness of Albany Heights, North Shore City and was the start of her interest in psychology and the effect of such an experience. 

 Kirsty has begun a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology in which she will identify the needs of children where a parent is using a mental health service and evaluate the pilot Tu Tangata Tonu service.

Holly Andrewes

Born and bred in rural Northland and growing up surrounded by animals, Holly Andrewes of Kerikeri has wanted to be a vet since she began high school.   

 She aims to be a rural veterinarian, of which there is a shortage, despite the sector being a major contributor to the economy.  Her long-term goal is to manage and eventually own a veterinary practice.

Daniel Lamb

A conjoint degree consisting of a Bachelor of Business Studies, majoring in accounting and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in computer science is enough to keep most students busy, but not Daniel Lamb of Palmerston North.

As well as completing his degrees, Daniel is taking the additional papers required to become a chartered accountant, all within four years.  He also leads a youth group mentoring and encouraging 15 boys.

Matilda Newton

Constant curiosity is the driving force for Matilda Newton’s study. She loves the fact that science is constantly moving and never gathers dust.

After completing Honours in biochemistry, Matilda is keen to continue her tertiary education and is committed to a PhD in biochemistry, with the ultimate goal of a career in research, possibly pertaining to human disease.  

Melissa Wolfe

A better future for her two young sons has led Melissa Woolfe of Blenheim to pick up and redirect her post-graduate study so that she can become an educational psychologist.

Melissa is passionate about working with people with disabilities, in particular children with special needs. Using her existing degrees and Massey University’s flexible study option, it won’t be long before this determined woman is back in the workforce as an educational psychologist.

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON – POSTGRADUATE

Robyn Langlands

Robyn’s doctoral studies into deliberate self-injury and why people harm themselves are novel.  They have the potential to dramatically enhance understanding of self-harming behaviour so that more effective interventions can be developed for people with a chronic history of self-injury.

Robyn plans to work as a clinical psychologist in the Wellington region

Jane Chewings

From arts marketer to earth scientist, Jane Chewings of Te Aro is on track to this year complete her overarching goal of a career change. She is studying for a Bachelor of Science in geology, plans to do a Masters and is contribute to global scientific efforts in climate change research.

All the while this versatile mature student will continue to run a comedy dance club with the risqué name of ‘Real Hot Bitches Dance Troupe’.

Joshua Foster

Joshua’s musical interests range from classical to rock and his aptitude for mathematics as well as cognitive science are considered rare.  This year he completes a Bachelor of Science with majors in mathematics and psychology.

He intends postgraduate study in either audiology, leading to self-employment, or an academic career in psychology, particularly cognitive psychology and neuropsychology.

Corinna Howland

Corinna Howland of Kelburn will this year complete a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology and History at Victoria University.  Next on her list is post-graduate study in anthropology to PhD level. 

Following her Honours year, Corinna plans to work on a community development project in Africa, South East Asia or the Pacific, providing structured immersion into another culture, an invaluable experience for this budding anthropologist.

Brendan Vercoelen

A career in the robotics industry is Brendan Vercoelen’s dream job.  On completing his Honours year he is likely to work in mechatronics, a combination of electronic design, mechanics and software development.

Brendan is seen as a natural leader at university and in the scouting movement, where he is involved in training and leadership roles and has served as a member of Scouts New Zealand National Council.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE
Giuliana De Ranieri Bernardi

With a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from the her home country of Brazil, Giuliana worked as a scientist at animal health laboratories before her interest in toxicology and biochemistry brought her to New Zealand to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science. 

The mother of twin teenage sons, Giuliana is resuming full-time research after several years of part-time study, and has lately completed a significant research project on the impact of chemical residues in dairy effluent upon earthworms. 

UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY POSTGRADUATE
Simon Donaldson

Preventing dementia might seem an unlikely focus for a 22 year old, but Simon doing just that with his thesis research for his Master of Science in Psychology, on combating dementia by cognitive enrichment.

Simon will be a member of a research team studying the non-drug intervention ‘cognitive enrichment’, examining its restorative powers in people on the cusp of decline into dementia.  The study has the potential to be a world-first and high-impact piece of research.

Rosemary Baird

Connecting with the past is what drives Rosemary, as she undertakes her PhD in history – conducting oral histories of migration New Zealand to and from Australia, from the late 1960s to the early 1990s.

Her previous research efforts have also focussed on the trans-Tasman relationship, including sporting ties between the two countries, and on ANZAC peacekeeping.

Career-wise, Rosemary plans to work in historical research which values individuals’ accounts of the past and helps people connect with that past. 

John- Luke Day

Law and politics combine as John works towards completing his double degree of Law (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts in political science this year.  Once this is achieved, John plans to work as a lawyer specialising in criminal, family and civil litigation.  His dissertation for the Honours component of his law degree will be in the field of the ‘law of evidence’. 

Rosa Hughes-Currie

A career as a medical physicist awaits Rosa, who is currently completing her Bachelor of Science, majoring in physics.  After this she  will then undertake her Masters degree, majoring in medical physics – the application of physics to medicine.  These qualifications will ultimately enable her to work as a medical physicist, an occupation which addresses the scientific and technical aspects of the use of medical imaging and radiation to treat cancer or diagnose disease.

Craig Muir

Given New Zealand’s nickname as “the shaky isles”, the skills that Craig will bring to the field of civil engineering will be particularly valued.  He recently completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree, and is now embarking on a Doctor of Philosophy in civil engineering.  He plans to research in the field of structural engineering and seismic response, themes he has already started exploring in earlier research projects.

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO - POSTGRADUATE

Matthew Shaw

Matthew Shaw’s PhD spans a decade and relates to his work in Gambia, West Africa where a community project aimed at changing social norms and preventing HIV provided the unexpected result of the abolition of domestic violence. 

A general practitioner, Matthew believes an analysis of the project will be relevant to many agencies and NGOs and will assist with implementing a myriad of other community programmes such as diabetes prevention amongst Maori.

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO - POSTGRADUATE

Svend Tolson

Economic analysis is increasingly used to gauge the merits of one economic activity over another, particularly as government seeks local support and funding for private and public partnerships

Svend will conduct a variety of economic impact assessments using different techniques. His thesis title: Is it possible to reliably measure economic impact using existing techniques?

Svend assists local organisations stage successful community events and is a volunteer teacher at Otago Polytechnic, assisting students with assignments and work placement.

Gareth Benic

Gareth Benic of Wanganui in the fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, is one of six Otago dental students who in a few weeks will travel to the Cook Islands to provide free dental care to the local population.

Next year Gareth plans to be a dental house surgeon at Wellington hospital and long term a maxillofacial surgeon, a specialist area of dentistry involved in correcting a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face and jaw.

Olivia Faull

On completion of her double degree in 2012, Olivia plans postgraduate work in either exercise metabolism and/or neurophysiology at Peter Snell’s High Performance Laboratory in Dallas, Texas.

Her career goal is to work with high performance athletes, using science to better their performance through physiological and technology improvements and improve the. health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

Julien Van Mellaerts

Julien’s career will put him centre stage - he plans to be a professional opera singer, traveling the world singing in operas, recitals and concerts.  Next year he will audition for Masters’ courses in voice and opera studies internationally.  His preference is for Europe where he can combine study and languages.

Although opera singing is a competitive field, Julien is determined that in a few years he will be auditioning for professional singing roles in New Zealand and overseas.

Anthony Wicks

The honours year of his arts degree will see him study at Paris III Sorbonne Nouvelle University, immersed in French language and culture, taking papers taught in French.

Anthony’s career is planned around his law degree.  In the short term, a judge’s clerk; medium term, postgraduate study in England; and long term, working for the Crown Law Office followed by a spell in academia.