At the Tāmanu Programme closing event are (left to right) Haytham Aumua, Jade Tierney, Kalei'aloha Nginingini, Abigail Bennett, Isabella Iosefa, Grace Asaua and Thomas Ituaso-Oten.
A biomedical research programme for Pacific tauira piloted last year has seen more than double the number of participants complete the programme in its second year.
The Tāmanu Programme is the legacy of the Early Research Lab Opportunities Programme (ERLO-P) trialled last year, which saw all three participating tauira gain summer research scholarships in biomedical research and progress to 400-level postgraduate studies in the biomedical sciences following their success in the programme.
The month-long programme allows Pacific students to learn new laboratory techniques, develop their academic writing skills and hone their ability to communicate science through oral presentations.
This year, seven Pacific tauira conducted research in one of the School of Biomedical Sciences research laboratories and concluded their projects with an oral presentation on their research while also reflecting on their experiences at the Programme’s closing event.
Students also attended regular writing workshops with Dr Vanisha Mishra-Vakaoti and public speaking workshops with Tāmanu Programme Coordinator and medical student Cam Young.
The programme has undergone a name change and mentoring sessions with ERLO-P alumni from last year’s cohort have also been introduced this year.
“Ultimately, these changes have fostered a strong sense of community and belonging amongst the students this year, and this has certainly been reflected in their enthusiasm and positive attitudes,” Cam says.
Tāmanu is the name of the pink whipray on the island of Pāmati in the Cook Islands and represents guardianship and protection of areas where shellfish are harvested, Cam says.
“If someone follows tikanga, then the whipray will ensure there are plenty of shellfish; similarly, the Tāmanu Programme aims to protect and nurture Pacific biomedical students by teaching them fundamental lab research techniques, so that they can have an abundance of opportunities in their future.”
Cam says it has been a privilege to watch these students grow both in their self-confidence and in their knowledge of biomedical research.
“If they only take one thing away from the programme, I hope it is the self-belief that they are capable, talented young scientists who can effect real positive change in our Pacific communities.”
Public health student Thomas Ituaso-Oten spent the midyear break in the Campbell Lab focusing on metabolic disease, and more specifically studying polycystic ovarian syndrome in mice.
He says that his time in the lab gave him the opportunity to gain more hands-on experience, a change from the written assessments he was used to writing for his public health degree.
Thomas is now considering a career in research, and says it was the positive and encouraging atmosphere in his lab that drew him to the profession.
“Although she was busy, Professor Rebecca Campbell would always give me her time to talk about the work.
“The lab technicians had energetic, enthusiastic attitudes towards their stuff, and that compelled me to want to do better.”
Microbiology student Grace Asaua joined Dr Sunali Mehta’s lab in the Department of Pathology and conducted cancer research, and more specifically how the protein YB-1 affects a process known as alternative RNA splicing.
Grace enjoyed refining her lab skills and techniques and says “seeing what life could be like as a researcher” was the biggest highlight of her experience.
“The mentors that we have right now from the previous cohort have helped us so much, especially with de-stressing. So I think for the next group, I would love to lend a helping hand, however that may be.”
Grace has already recommended the programme to her friends.
“Most of the time we’re told that health professional programmes are the way to go, but you know, there’s different paths we can take and research is another great option.”
Despite working in different labs, this year’s cohort became close friends over the programme, Grace says.
“When we were all doing workshops, we were definitely all really shy, but as we went on we were bonding over having to do experiments.
“Every time we met up we’d talk about what we were up to in our labs. We’ve bonded as a group and now whenever we see each other in the hallway, we say ‘hi’. It was a great experience for all of us.”
Cam says the Tāmanu Programme would not be possible without the support of Dr Htin Lin Aung, the Associate Dean Pacific (Research) for the School of Biomedical Sciences, and other key stakeholders.
“I am so grateful for Dr Htin Lin Aung and Dr Vanisha Mishra-Vakaoti for their unwavering support, as well as all our mentors and host labs. Thank you also to the Office of Pacific Development and Va’a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health for enabling this programme and allowing our Pacific tauira to have a truly transformative experience in biomedical research.”
Kōrero by Keilah Fox