Sarah's interest in child development and education during her postgraduate research in psychology led naturally to a PhD in the Department of Women's and Children's Health.
Her PhD project, the ALBATROSS (Assessing Learning, Breathing, and Treatment of Respiratory Obstruction during Sleep in School Children) study, examined preschool and primary school aged children with sleep disordered breathing who were receiving adenotonsillectomy as treatment for the disorder.
In particular, she was interested in whether treatment could lead to improved academic trajectories for the children in her study. Her thesis, completed in 2016, was placed on the Division of Health Sciences list of exceptional theses in recognition of its exceptional quality.
During her research, Sarah developed a strong interest in a clinical career in medicine, and has left Dunedin to study undergraduate medicine in Auckland. She remains passionate about research, and hopes to one day combine research and clinical practice in her medical career.