LENScience
The New Zealand Team
Jacquie Bay
Director, LENScience, Liggins Institute & Principal Investigator, Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project
Jacquie is the founding Director of LENScience, an innovative science education programme that creates opportunities for schools and scientists to work together to promote the development of scientific literacy and enable the translation of scientific knowledge into community understanding. She leads research at the Liggins Institute which is looking at the role of science education collaborations in the translation of DOHaD concepts to enable reduction in non-communicable disease risk in current and future generations. An experienced secondary school science and biology teacher, prior to joining the Liggins Institute, Jacquie was Head of Science at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland. In 1999 Jacquie conducted research exploring the value of student-led investigations in promoting the understanding of the nature of science and in 2008 working with Kordia and The University of Auckland ITS division, she co-developed the award winning LENScience Connect learning platform, utilising a combination of satellite or web broadcast with Web2.0 tools to bring students and scientists from throughout New Zealand together to engage in connected learning environments. This platform is now used to support a range of LENScience student and teacher programmes.
Mark Vickers
Associate Professor & Academic Director, Liggins Institute
Mark’s primary interest is in the developmental origins of health and disease with a particular focus on the association between poor maternal nutrition and the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring. He also has an interest in therapies aimed at reversing the metabolic disturbances that result from a suboptimal early life environment.
Soana Pamaka
Principal, Tamaki College, Auckland
Mrs Soana Pamaka was educated at Tonga High School and Kaipara College before completing a BA in Education at The University of Auckland. She subsequently completed her DipTchg at Auckland College of Education. At Tamaki College, Mrs Pamaka was Head of History, a Dean and Deputy Principal prior to being appointed Principal in 2006. She became, upon her appointment, the first Tongan woman to lead a New Zealand secondary school.
Jane Duffy
Project and Communications Manager, Liggins Institute
Jane is an administrator working in the LENScience team at the Liggins Institute. She has worked extensively in communications and administration roles, and has been associated with LENScience for a number of years. Jane’s background is academic journal publishing, along with website and publication development.
Heimata Herman
Research Assistant
Heimata is a research assistant within the LENScience team at the Liggins Institute. Heimata has a keen interest in health and nutrition behaviours, especially in relation to students and young adults in the Cook Islands.
Alvina Pauuvale
Research Assistant
Alvina is a part-time research assistant within the LENScience team at the Liggins Institute. Alvina has a keen interest in health and nutrition behaviours, especially in relation to Tonga populations. Alvina is currently studying for a postgraduate diploma in Pacific Health.
Siobhan Tu'akoi
BHSc Honours Student
Siobhan is currently doing an Honours degree in Health Science, supervised by Associate Professor Mark Vickers (Liggins Institute), Jacquie Bay (Liggins Institute) and in association with the Cook Islands Ministry of Health. The focus of her honours project is health data supplied by the Cook Islands Ministry of Health and from the Cook Islands arm of the Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project.
