Meet the Growing Up team
Senior Management
The Senior Management team is responsible for the strategic direction of the Growing Up in New Zealand study.
Associate Professor Sarah-Jane Paine
Sarah-Jane is Growing Up in New Zealand's Research Director. She is an experienced Kaupapa Māori epidemiologist and has been involved in an extensive range of projects investigating ethnic inequities in health and the determinants of health across the life-course.
Sarah-Jane was previously a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Tomaiora Research Group at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland. She holds science degrees from the University of Otago and a PhD in Public Health from Massey University. She has taught Māori Health and Kaupapa Māori research methods across a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Prior to becoming Growing Up in New Zealand's Research Director, she was a member of the study's Kaitiaki Group.
Dr Carin Napier
Carin is Growing Up in New Zealand’s Research Delivery Manager. She is passionate about community nutrition, food security, and dietary diversity, which has earned her recognition and invitations to present her research globally. She has published 40 articles in accredited journals and five peer-reviewed reports. She has also conducted significant research in South Africa and has successfully supervised seven PhD and 34 master’s students throughout her career.
Avinesh Pillai
Avinesh is the Lead Biostatistician at Growing Up. He is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Statistics at the University of Auckland, and Lead Consultant at the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC). He is a biostatistician by training and has worked on many medical studies ranging from health surveys and epidemiological studies to multinational clinical trials in the fields of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. His current research focus is on longitudinal data methods and statistical computing.
Karleen Edmonds
Karleen is a skilled relationship specialist. In her previous work with one of Aoteaora New Zealand’s biggest charities, she was responsible for building and maintaining strong and effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholder groups, and has a special passion for cultural inclusion. Karleen has over 20 years experience in leading teams in client engagement and programme delivery.
Researchers
The Growing Up in New Zealand is led by multi-disciplinary research team made up of experts across the key research domains of the study. Many of the team combine their work at Growing Up with clinical, academic and research roles outside of the study
Dr Denise Neumann
Denise’s doctoral work involved longitudinal analyses of associations between dialysis treatment and cognitive functioning, as well as psychosocial wellbeing in adults with chronic kidney disease. Her current research interests include children’s cognitive development from early childhood onwards, including inhibitory control and language. She is specifically interested what factors promote or hinder cognitive development of tamariki in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Dr Ben Fletcher
Ben has been involved in longitudinal research assessing nutrition and mental health, early childhood engagement settings for the promotion of Māori culture and well-being, and factors that influence patient-reported outcomes and disease severity to help inform medical practice. His doctoral work focused on nutritional interventions, specifically assessing the effect of vitamin C on mental health in healthy young adults. Ben's current research is investigating factors that may impact children's psychosocial and cognitive development in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Dr Yijun Zhang
Yijun has an academic background in landscape architecture and health sciences. Her PhD explored the relationship between greenspace and adolescents’ mental well-being. Yijun's research interests include the interactions between the natural environment and human beings, and health-promoting environments. Her current research focuses on the quantitative analysis of complex data sets to understand the intricate relationships between the natural environment and adolescent health, while exploring equity in health-promoting environments across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr Rebecca MacKenzie
Rebecca has a master’s degree in psychology and a PhD in public health. She has previously worked in academic and teaching environments. Her doctoral work was a critical qualitative research project that explored eating disorders, specifically locating them within Māori frameworks. Rebecca’s current interest is in examining eating disorders outside of the Western biomedical model by developing Māori experiential knowledge and mana-enhancing paradigms to address the research gaps in this area.
Dr Jess Parr
Jess holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales (Sydney) in the History and Philosophy of Science. She has taught in medical humanities programmes and been involved with transdisciplinary research projects. Her research interests include the history of public health and health promotion, epidemiology, and community-based health initiatives. Jess’ most recent research project, funded by a Marsden Fast-Start grant from Te Apārangi Royal Society of New Zealand, examined the historical drivers of today’s proclaimed obesity epidemic.
Dr Helen Eyles
Helen’s role at Growing Up in New Zealand involves supporting improved data access for researchers.
Helen is a public health nutritionist and academic with 20 years of research experience monitoring the food environment and testing promising interventions to support improved population nutrition.
Alongside her role at Growing Up, Helen teaches transdisciplinary, public health, and nutrition papers at the University of Auckland, undertakes research, and supervises postgraduate students. She has >100 published journal articles. Helen is currently co-Director of the Centre for Translational Health Research (TRANSFORM), a Board Member of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand, an Associate Editor of the Public Heath Briefing, and a previous Senior Fellow of the Heart Foundation of New Zealand.
Dr Kara Beckford
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Research Assistants
The research assistants work with the research team to implement the research work for Growing Up in New Zealand.
Karl Crosby
Karl completed his MSc in Plant Pathology at the University of Auckland, focusing on potyviruses affecting Cucurbits in the Pacific. He has worked in plant metabolomics at Royal Holloway, UOL on the development of more stress tolerant, carotenoid rich crops and RNA-Seq datasets. He has an interest in how different biological systems interact with each other.
Annie Park
Annie is a Masters student at the University of Auckland specialising in Statistics. Her work includes investigating the effect of repeat patients in surgical outcomes research, modelling hospital capacity using queueing theory, and contributing to the development of a triage decision support system for emergency departments. She is passionate about collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on research initiatives in public health.
Caitlin Haliburton
Caitlin is a Nutritionist with a deep passion for developing innovative, research-informed interventions that support the populations attainment of the highest level of mental, physical and environmental wellbeing. Caitlin has supported projects relating to food security, food environments, and the commercial determinants of health, and has experience in developing national survey tools and methods.
Carolina Mejia Toro
Carolina is a Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master’s in Human Rights and Governance. She is passionate about leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to build equitable and sustainable societies. With experience in food security, public health, and education, Carolina has supported projects and policy making aimed at improving food systems, addressing migration, reducing poverty, and enhancing food environments, labeling, and compliance.
Shayna Cherry
Kia ora. Ko Shayna tēnei.. Shayna is our Cohort Relationship Lead – Māori and will strive to ensure our māori whānau are engaged and invested in our study. Shayna resides locally with her husband and two tamariki. She has a conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Science, amongst many other qualifications, including a level five certificate i roto i te reo māori. Shayna has 10+ years in business management, team leadership and relationship building and is really looking forward to funneling all of this passion into her mahi.
Savili Itumua
Talofa lava and mālō e lelei! My name is Savili Itamua and I’m a proud Samogan (half Samoan half Tongan). I’m the youngest of 4 girls, a wife and mother of 2 beautiful children. I was born and raised in west Auckland by my migrant parents, and I can speak fluent Samoan & understand conversational Tongan. My role at GUiNZ in the Pasifika Hub is to ensure our Pasifika Cohort: 1) feel valued and appreciated for their contribution to the study 2) are well informed and understand all aspects of the study and 3) are respected and supported in a way they chose. Aside from BAU, I feel it is also my responsibility to ensure GUiNZ incorporates a Pasifika lens where applicable; this will ensure inclusivity and help people understand Pasifika values & beliefs. Malo ‘aupito! Fa’afetai lava!
Sean Lim
Sean’s role fosters trusted relationships with Asian families, community leaders, and organisations to ensure strong engagement and retention. Born in Singapore, raised in Kirikiriroa, and now based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Sean holds a Master’s in Applied Organisational Psychology. He is passionate about diversity, wellbeing, and engagement. He was formerly a Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Advisor in the public sector at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. He currently serves as a board member for Creative Waikato. The Asian diaspora is superdiverse, and unique stories can be represented in the data collected. Sean believes the distinct voices of GUiNZ participants can positively shape the future of Aotearoa. He enjoys connecting kanohi ki te kanohi (in-person) over cups of coffee or tea.
Tash Williams
Tash has worked in the health sector over 20 years, predominantly with Māori whanau. She is passionate about helping to reduce health inequalities for Māori whanau, their tamariki and mokopuna.
Currently in her second year studying Bachelor of Māori Nursing at Manukau Institute of Technology.
Tash was also part of the Māori hub in 2021 as Māori Participant Engagement Interviewer for the 12 YR DCW. She is excited to return and re-connect with GUiNZ Māori whanau and rangatahi.
Ma Skudder
I have an employment background in HR, administration, community, and whanau support services. 10+ of these years have been dedicated to staff employment, retention, and upskilling, with a high focus on Māori and Pasifika. What I look forward to the most, is building strong and reciprocal relationships with our GUiNZ participants especially those within our Māori cohort. Nurturing a relationship with these whanau/rangatahi with Māori tikanga and kawa processes in the forefront - to showcase the importance, value and Mana these whanau/rangatahi bring to the GUiNZ study, Aotearoa and many future decisions.
Rose Vunileva
Malo e lelei and Warm Pacific Greetings, My name is Rose, my academic journey has led me to have a deep passion for educational equity and innovation. Throughout my career I’ve had the privilege of working with various organisation to develop impactful learning materials and programs. I am committed to enhancing student engagement and success, particularly for Māori and Pacific Island students and families. Working in tertiary for over 10 years and having experience in collaborative initiatives and design-led approaches. I will use these skills to make a significant impact in the field when making valuable connections and building relationships with our Pacific Cohort.
Alphonso Afoa-Scotter
Malo lava soifua! My name is Alphonso and I am a one of the Pacific relationship coordinators for Growing Up in New Zealand. I am of Samoan descent, married to my beautiful wife Evelyn and a father to a energetic one year old who keeps me busy and on my toes. Over the last decade I have built an academic and professional career around health and research.
I am excited to part of research that continues to make a difference to our families, and particularly our Pacific aiga. I hope to continue advocating for our Pacific voices in the research space and build on the already great work done by the Growing Up in New Zealand team.
Sripriya Sridharan
Sripriya is a mother of 2 wonderful girls and has over 10 years of experience in Human Resources, Student Advisory, and Mental Health. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusive environments that empower individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her work with GUiNZ is centered around supporting and engaging with Asian ethnic cohorts, ensuring their voices are heard, valued, and supported. Sripriya believes in creating tailored strategies that promote well-being and success for all, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing the unique needs of Asian ethnic communities.
Edith Wong
Edith brings extensive experience in business management, coaching, and lecturing, driven by her unwavering passion for fostering meaningful connections that help individuals and communities thrive. Building and maintaining long-term relationships is the cornerstone of her professional work and community service. Her active involvement in various community groups and her connection with Asian communities and organizations through community service and performing arts exemplify her relational approach.
Having grown up across many countries in Australasia, Edith possesses a global outlook and a unique ability to connect and integrate both Western and Asian cultural influences. Her profound appreciation for Asian cultural values, combined with her dedication to strengthening intercultural relationships, adds tremendous value to the teams and participants in the Growing Up in New Zealand research project.
Operations
The operations team work with the research team to implement the strategy and plans for Growing Up in New Zealand.
Rina Prasad
Rina has extensive experience in data management of research studies, including large-scale international clinical trials and US federally funded research projects. She specialises in trial and questionnaire design, database design, data governance, data management best practice and quality management systems. Rina holds degrees in sociology, political science and local govt law and has been a past executive member of the Australasian Health and Research Data Manager’s Association. She is passionate about evidence-based research, data management, technology advancements and related impacts on best practice and data governance.
Jeannie Yi
Jeannie is a Data Manager at Growing Up in New Zealand with over 10 years of research experience both locally and internationally. Jeannie is skilled at longitudinal research data analysis, data quality management and governance. She has a great interest in marketing and psychology, and the wider research areas around child development. Her current role focuses on longitudinal data methods and management.
Krista Hodder
Krista is a mother to four adult children, three foster children and a grandmother to three grandchildren. Her home life is busy and full of fun. She's been involved in the Growing Up in New Zealand since the cohort children were three-years-old. Her passion for the study stems from an interest in the diversity of New Zealand families and a joy in seeing the study children change and grow from one visit to the next.
Terry Li
Terry is the Data Access and Systems Coordinator at GUiNZ. He manages data access and systems, ensuring smooth operations for data users. Terry holds Master’s degrees in Data Science and Business Management. He has previously worked in both academic and business environments. At Growing Up, Terry works with internal and external stakeholders including senior management, researchers, and the Data Access Committee.”
Saraid Black
Saraid is an experienced ...
Dina Sharp
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