I am a PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. I am honoured and humbled to be a recipient of the GWNZ Harriette Jenkins Award.
My motivation for pursuing my PhD stems from my experiences growing up with ovarian health issues. For over a decade, I have undergone multiple treatments for conditions that, as a young woman, I did not initially understand. Because women's health research has historically been under-prioritised, the answers to “how” and “why” these issues develop remain elusive to this day. Unfortunately, this experience is not unique – many women, especially those diagnosed with ovarian cancer, often are in similar positions. I hope to help answer these questions and improve current knowledge through my studies.
My PhD research focuses on validating nucleic acid biomarker candidates in non-invasively obtained biological samples from human ovarian cancer patients. The results of this research could lead to the development of a screening test that may be used to detect and diagnose ovarian cancer early, improving health outcomes for women. After completing my PhD, I would like to continue this research as a post-doctoral researcher and work on applying the results in a clinical setting. With the skills gained, I hope to eventually study both benign and malignant ovarian masses to gain a holistic understanding of ovarian health issues.
As I progress through my PhD, I am continually enhancing my skills to better advocate for women’s health and ovarian cancer research. The GWNZ Harriette Jenkins Award is a significant milestone in my journey. I am committed to using the platform it brings me alongside my relationship with the Wellington branch to further my advocacy activities. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to improving women's health.