Graduated with BAppSc (Hons), MSc
Communications and Multi-media Research Fellow, Rome, Italy
I have moved from an athlete and sports nutritionist, to a community nutritionist, to a research study coordinator and consultant, to a science communicator able to make change at a global level. This is all thanks to a solid base of knowledge and support from Otago, and continued curiosity and persistence.
I am so grateful to be working in Rome at Bioversity International - a non-profit international organisation working alongside FAO, IFAD and WFP to fight malnutrition and hunger. The project I am involved in is called the 'Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Project'. We study the nutrition composition of wild and under-utilised indigenous/traditional plant species with high nutritional value, and influence policies and provide awareness to mainstream these traditional foods back into food systems and market places to improve nutrient intakes.
My role as the Communications and Multi-media Research Fellow, is to highlight all the great work that is happening in Brazil, Turkey, Kenya and Sri Lanka to conserve indigenous and resilient plant and animal species and reconnect younger generations with their food systems. I am also creating a new website for the Project, and the communications and media surrounding the Second International Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Conference in November 2015. If you go to www.b4fn.org you'll find some fascinating international case studies focusing on improving health and well being.
Before the move to Italy, working with athletes and sports teams was my passion. After I completed a BAppSc (Hons) majoring in Sport and Exercise Nutrition and an MSc (Nutrition) I set up a private practice as an independent nutritionist and learned a lot from the experience. A key aspect of the BAppSc degree which proved very helpful was the Level 1 ISAK Anthropometry certificate I gained in my 4th year which allowed me to prescribe both exercise programmes and nutrition plans for clients. The practical and varied aspects of my studies at Otago gave me the skills to analyse new research findings so I could better inform my clients.
I joined the Science Communicators Association of New Zealand (SCANZ) – an important asset now in Italy as it matched their need for a science communicator with sound nutritional knowledge and research skills.
The skills I learned at Otago are transferable and there is growth in whichever direction you desire to go.