Visiting Fulbright scholar a fan of NZ way of life

Friendly people and a more relaxed pace of life are a winning combination for visiting United States Fulbright Graduate Scholar Bret Hatzinger.

The 22-year-old hails from Doylestown, Pennsylvania and arrived in Dunedin in late January to take up a 10-month visiting researcher role at Otago, based in the Dunedin School of Medicine.

A planned trip to Aotearoa New Zealand at the end of a school exchange to Australia didn’t happen as he had to return to the US for a summer job. His desire to get to New Zealand was what inspired his Fulbright application.

“I love the friendliness of the people and the pace of life in these areas of the world,” Bret says.

He is working with Professor Mike Eccles in the Department of Pathology, investigating the mechanisms underlying Meckel Syndrome, a rare genetic disease characterised by abnormalities affecting several organ systems of the body, such as the kidneys.

Bret has a BSc in biology from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and developed an interest in rare genetic diseases while working at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

He wanted to continue working in this field and Mike’s research into Meckel Syndrome drew him to Otago.

Bret says he has found everyone at Otago “exceptionally welcoming” and he’s enjoying the great collaborative environment, including consulting with professors from other labs within the University. He’s also expanding his knowledge, such as getting the opportunity to use research techniques which are new to him.

New Zealand Institute for Cancer Research Trust Chair in Cancer Pathology, Professor Mike Eccles says it’s been fantastic having Bret join his lab group.

“Bret’s interests and his ambitions are admirable, and the work we’re planning looks at interesting questions around a rare genetic disease, which has some common features like one of the most common human genetic disorders, polycystic kidney disease. Bret’s Fulbright experience will see him learning a lot of new things, and I’m looking forward to an enjoyable year working alongside Bret on this research,” Mike says.

Bret says taking up the Fulbright is a great opportunity to reflect on other cultures and ways of life.

“Personally, it is massively beneficial to see other perspectives on how to live well.”

In his view, New Zealanders are particularly community minded and “there’s more emphasis and effort to integrate Indigenous perspectives and culture, which is admirable”.

Bret has been making the most of what Dunedin has to offer, including visiting beaches and scenic spots, and has joined the Otago University Tramping Club. He has a keen interest in basketball and is contemplating learning to surf.

“Basically, wherever I am, whatever the best things are to do there, I try them out.”

Bret intends to pursue medical school once his Otago role ends, but a road trip around the South Island is definitely on the cards before then.

-  Kōrero by Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications