Health Sciences Communications
Communications kaimahi at Otago have a wide variety of skills and experience in media relations, social media, and writing for all types of situations and audiences. We can provide expert knowledge and support across a range of communication initiatives.
Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications
Andrea is a former print journalist and communications contractor. She worked for a decade in local government communications before joining the University in 2022. Andrea has a BA(Hons) in English Literature from the University of Canterbury and a journalism diploma from Aoraki Polytechnic. As well as supporting the divisional communications team, Andrea provides comms services for the Dunedin School of Medicine and Otago Medical School.
Mob +64 21 279 0526
Email andrea.jones@otago.ac.nz
Claire Grant, Communications Adviser (Dunedin), School of Biomedical Sciences
Claire Grant was the Communications Manager for Genomics Aotearoa from 2018 to 2024, contributing to the understanding of genomics in New Zealand. She has extensive experience in communications advisory and public relations, through contract communications and previously as Media Manager for AgResearch. Claire provides communication support for the School of Biomedical Sciences.
Mob +64 21 279 0552
Email claire.grant@otago.ac.nz
Kelsey Swart, Communications Adviser, Division of Health Sciences
Kelsey has both a bachelor and masters with first class honours in Communications from Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Prior to joining the Advisory team in 2021, she worked in communications roles at Whakarongorau Aotearoa (NZ Telehealth Service), AUT, Fletcher Building and others. Her thesis was on the topic of public relations and emerging technologies, with her main areas of interest being public relations, artificial intelligence, digital media and ethics.
Mob +64 21 279 1058
Email kelsey.swart@otago.ac.nz
Cheryl Norrie, Communications Adviser (Wellington)
Cheryl is a highly experienced print media journalist who began her career at the Gore Ensign and the Otago Daily Times. Her work has been published in a wide range of newspapers and magazines including the Dominion Post, the science journal Nature Biotechnology, and the Australian Journal of Pharmacy. More recently she has been writing for the Dominion Post advertising supplements department and covering New Zealand affairs for the German Press Agency (DPA). She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury.
Cheryl works part-time providing communications for the University of Otago, Wellington.
Mob +64 21 249 6787
Email cheryl.norrie@otago.ac.nz
Lorelei Mason, Communications Adviser (Christchurch)
Lorelei is an experienced journalist having worked in print, radio and television news for over 30 years. Her last position was as Health Reporter/Correspondent for TVNZ's 1News for 23 years. During this time she won more than a dozen national and international journalism awards. Her prior reporting experience extends to positions at both BBC Television and BBC World Service Radio in London, as a presenter for Sky Television and radio journalist for Newstalk ZB in Auckland, 3ZB and The Press in Christchurch. Since leaving TVNZ a few years ago Lorelei has managed her own Health Public Relations consultancy, representing Kiwi clients from the fields of health research, health charities, NGOs, corporates and health start-ups.
Mob +64 21 279 2203
Email lorelei.mason@otago.ac.nz
Health Sciences Marketing
The Divisional Marketing Advisory team are University of Otago staff’s main point of contact for marketing requests.
The team provide advice and support to strengthen each division's strategic and operational marketing endeavours. They work to coordinate the delivery of marketing activities in alignment with University and Divisional marketing strategies.
These Advisers are physically located within each academic division including at the Christchurch and Wellington campuses.
Fran Wright, Marketing Adviser (Wellington)
Fran is the Marketing Adviser for the Wellington campus of University of Otago. She is the primary point of contact for marketing activity across all Wellington departments and ensures initiatives are strategically aligned, easy to implement and get great results.
Fran liaises with the Marketing Services team in Dunedin on behalf of Wellington staff and works closely with the Wellington-based Communications Adviser and Events Coordinator.
From 2012–2018 Fran was the Marketing and Web Manager for the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington. Prior to this, Fran enjoyed over 15 years in brand and product-marketing roles across several sectors including healthcare, FMCG, and telecommunications. She is an Otago graduate with degrees in Commerce and Science, and sometimes feels she's still a student!
Mob +64 21 209 0727
Email fran.wright@otago.ac.nz
Yara Olmos, Marketing Adviser, School of Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, Neuroscience
Yara is a strategic digital marketer and the primary marketing contact for Biomedical Sciences. As a Marketing Adviser, she partners with academic departments to increase programme visibility and student applications through data-driven marketing strategies, content marketing, and targeted events. Her approach combines analytics and digital best practices with audience insights to drive measurable recruitment results.
She holds a bachelor's begree in Marketing and Business Relations from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Management from Otago Polytechnic. Before transitioning to New Zealand's education sector, she worked with international brands at AB InBev, the world's largest brewing company.
Mob +64 21 279 0714
Email yara.olmos@otago.ac.nz
Trak Gray, Marketing Adviser, Dunedin School of Medicine (DSM), Professional Programmes, Health Sciences First Year (HSFY)
Mob +64 22 300 9528
Email trak.gray@otago.ac.nz
Health Sciences Development and Alumni Relations
Development and Alumni Relations staff assist University Divisions in maintaining and strengthening relationships with former students, who continue to benefit from their Otago experience long after studying here.
Our team has a range of resources to assist you with your alumni-related questions or activities.
Kerry Buchan, Development Manager – Health Sciences
Mob +64 27 424 2097
Email kerry.buchan@otago.ac.nz