I honestly didn’t think about any specific careers. I just knew I couldn’t imagine my life without science, so I started university as a Chemistry major. 
 

Running sprints and hurdles. The track was my sanctuary - it was peaceful training by myself, then riveting and alive on athletics days. The cheering you have from your House is unreal, I’ve never seen an entire school get behind every participant so much and celebrate everyone’s performances. 
 

So many, it’s too hard to pick one so here are a few! They all genuinely believed in my academic potential and provided safe environments for me to be my best self. As my father passed away in my childhood, it was especially meaningful growing up with very kind, male role models. 
Mr. Chas Foxall – love his eccentricity. He provided us with so much humour and wisdom from his many adventurous and youthful experiences. He also stuck a scan of my painting onto his office wall and showed my work to many people, which meant the world to me. 
Doc Huffadine – hilarious Chemistry teacher with a loving nature. He’d make classes incredibly fun with explosive experiments. I’m also grateful that he, as a Housemaster (go Major!), gave me the opportunity for compassionate leadership.
Mr. David O’Halloran – he took our small, tight-knit Marine Biology class on a fun trip to Waipu. He was fantastic, kind and humorous, and helped me to feel comfortable being the only female in class.

Don’t compare yourself to others, you are more than enough. 
Also, if someone is being mean to you, don’t take it too personally. No one wakes up and chooses to be unkind, they are probably in pain and are taking it out on you. Instead, ask if they’re doing okay, express how your feelings were hurt, then work together towards resolution. 
 

I’m about to start graduate school at Yale! I’m absolutely thrilled to be studying a Master of Public Health, concentrating in Social and Behavioural Sciences. I’m determined to increase healthcare access (especially to mental health treatment) and develop solutions to reduce social inequalities. This includes eliminating discrimination based on race, financial status, and gender, to ultimately enhance our well-being and livelihoods. 
I’m also excited to learn about policymaking and have gotten a taste of this through my current, unexpected pandemic role as a Public Health Professional and Researcher for the Yale School of Public Health. The media exposure of my work also led to Jesse Mulligan inviting me onto Radio New Zealand as their Science Communicator. 
 

I have been advocating for and supporting the implementation of COVID-19 saliva testing to revolutionise how we fight the virus in New Zealand. As saliva testing is drastically cheaper and drooling in a tube is much more comfortable than the large invasive swabs that go through our nose, it is way easier to test frequently. This ultimately prevents COVID-19 transmission and saves lives. 
To ensure saliva testing works smoothly here, I have been collaborating with and providing science/health expertise to New Zealand government leaders and groups, including the Ministry of Health, along with many other stakeholders that enhance our nation’s pandemic response. 
I have also been first-authoring a research article on all the COVID-19 saliva testing methods used globally, and have used this work to inform how New Zealand should roll out saliva testing with the utmost safety and strength.
In terms of my radio speaking, Jesse Mulligan interviews me on science and health topics. You can listen to our fun and meaningful conversations here. 
 

Conducting a lot of it remotely. I deeply miss the presence of colleagues/friends in supportive, scholarly environments where they not only provide a shoulder to cry on during your lows, but also really celebrate your highs. 
 

Personally, creating a family out of phenomenal friends and staff at Cornell University when I moved to America for my undergrad. 
Professionally, gaining admission into Yale for graduate school and representing them now with my public health work. It’s been surreal leading New Zealand’s conversation on COVID-19 saliva testing, bringing our nation’s leaders and health experts together and watching us all share expertise and precious data for the sake of public health. This collective effort has led to saliva testing being rolled out now at the airport/border, quarantine hotels, and retirement villages to protect those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19! Receiving a thank you letter for my contribution to New Zealand from Minister Chris Hipkins recently also really warmed my heart. 
 

For the COVID-19 pandemic to end.
 

Contact lenses, a hammock (multifunctional if you think about it) and my partner Blake.
 

Compassionate, kind and bold.