I come from a nursing background and completed my nursing degree in 1995 while based in Otago. My early clinical practice was varied but I later specialised in paediatrics and public health, with a focus on child health.

With my own young family and a relocation from Dunedin to Christchurch in 2006, my focus on child health continued but shifted from hands-on clinical work to Research. I took up a position as Research Coordinator for the Canterbury Child Development Research Group, based at the University of Canterbury. There I gained valuable experience in longitudinal research, predominantly working on two child development studies.

In 2015 I joined the team at NZBRI as a Research Coordinator for a study looking at improving outcomes in patients with Parkinson's disease. This led to a role in 2017 as Research Coordinator for the Christchurch Dementia Prevention Research Clinic.

This nationwide longitudinal study aims to improve understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in Aotearoa, in order to develop interventions that delay or prevent progression to dementia.

As part of the team at NZBRI I also contribute to the NZP3 study and some clinical trials within the Institute.