Doctoral news

Doctoral candidate Dougie ‘Atiola’s journey into research began in a hospital in Tonga. At the age of 14, he was hospitalised with meningitis, which shaped his understanding of healthcare. Now he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedical Science, specialising in genetics and metabolic conditions in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology.

“If my journey helps even one young Pacific person believe they belong in research,” he says, “then the work I’m doing is serving its purpose.”

Read more about Dougie and his research in Pacific genetics scholar driven to improve community health outcomes.

Doctoral candidate Amanda SullivanLee, who grew up in the USA, is mapping the history and contemporary implications of indigenous Tongan adoption (pusiaki), which has traditionally sustained openness, movement and continued ties between birth and adoptive families. Her research is grounded in Pacific storywork, talanoa and oral history.

“Talking about adoption is intellectually challenging – and it’s also emotionally challenging,” says Amanda. “As an adopted Pacific person raised outside the Pacific, returning to indigenous frameworks has been both rigorous and healing."

Explore Amanda's story in Research sheds new light on pusiaki - Tongan adoption. 

Justine Skilling, a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Arts and Education, has focused her research on collaborative efforts to make the South Auckland suburb of Māngere greener, guided by Te Ao Māori principles.

She hopes her findings will inform future policy and encourage investment in indigenous-led, community-driven environmental work, where the results will benefit not just this generation, but those that follow.

Learn more about Justine and her PhD research in Making Māngere green again.

Doctoral candidate Saleh Albalawi is part of a new 15-month study on how Gazans have managed to keep education going amid ongoing bombardment, death and displacement. As a Palestinian and former Gaza resident, the project is close to his heart.

“This is not just an academic topic for me, it’s part of my life, memory, and identity," he says. "We hope to document the courage of teachers who continue educating under extremely difficult conditions and to ensure that their voices and experience reach the world and policymakers, with the aim of improving their situation.”

Find out more about Saleh's research in Caught in the crossfire: education in Gaza.