Breadcrumbs List.
Meet our Science students
From undergraduate to postgraduate, our students share their studying triumphs and challenges.

A day in the life of a Psychology student
What's it really like to be an undergrad Psych student? We followed Rodolfo Villanueva around to find out what a typical day looks like for him.


-
Jordan Elvy
Jordan will complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marine Science in 2022, and plans to continue in the field of aquaculture research once she finishes studying.
-
Maria Charry
Maria completed her PhD, receiving her doctorate in 2019. She now works as a science adviser to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
-
Renee Johansen
Renee completed her PhD in Biology at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in 2016.
-
Amy Martain
Amy shares her Joint Graduate School experience, having completed a PhD in Biological Sciences in 2020.
-
Taryn Smith
Taryn has found her GIS and Environmental Science studies are a perfect blend of discovering the natural world and how to safeguard it.
-
Sasha Douglas
Sasha Douglas is completing a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the Faculty of Science.
-
Gemma Cunnington
Gemma Cunnington graduated with a Bachelor in Marine Science (BSc) in May 2022.
-
Eugene In
Final year student Eugene In moved to Auckland from Christchurch and describes her experiences studying and settling into life in a new city.
-
Jessie Houston
Psychology student Jessie Houston reflects on her studies so far and her experiences in the Leadership Through Learning programme.
-
Ivana Jurasovic
Third year student Ivana Jurasovic reflects on her studies in Environmental Change so far.
-
Michelle Scriver
Michelle has been able to combine her fascination of DNA with her passion for the beauty and mystery of the ocean by studying a PhD in Marine Science with a focus on molecular ecology.
-
Mahima Seth
Mahima is aiming to use her Honours study in physics as a pathway into working for an organization like NIWA, or even NASA, applying an understanding of the principles of our own environment to learning more about the environments of other planets.
-
Jack Lin
Jack Lin decided to major in Logic and Computation because it complemented his other major, Computer Science, by expanding on the logic and thought process behind the basic principles of computing.
-
Emily Twort
Emily chose her study pathway based on a desire to combine her passion for science and the outdoors.
-
Kapish Gobindlal
PhD candidate Kapish Gobindlal is researching ways to effectively destroy toxic chemicals at a molecular level.
-
Daniel Harrison
Daniel Harrison is studying a Master of Science in Biological Sciences.
-
Alofa Tasi
Alofa Tasi is studying a PGDip in Science - Clinical Exercise Physiology.
-
Farheen Kothiwala
Farheen Kothiwala’s passion for science led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biology and psychology. However, shortly into her first year, she realised it was Physiology that really sparked her interest.
-
Buster Layzell
Buster Layzell explains how he is able to combine his interests in forensic anthropology and field archaeology.
-
Halaevalu Tu'ipulotu
Through studying mathematics, Halaevalu found a passion for encouraging others to ask questions and seek to achieve their best, tutoring kids and running workshops in schools!
-
Heiana Agnieray
Meet Faculty of Science student Heiana Agnieray.
-
Gustav Chuling
Meet Faculty of Science student Gustav Chuling.
-
Namodh Edirisinghe
Meet Faculty of Science student Namodh Edirisinghe.
-
Alofa Soolefai
Talofa lava, my name is Alofa So’olefai and I hail from the villages of Faleālili, Faleasi’u and Safune, Savai’i.
-
Malakai Vaioleti
Mālō e lelei, my name is Malakai Vaioleti and I hail from the great island of Tonga.
-
Nellisa Jean Schaumkel Taliauli
Meet the Faculty of Science student Nellisa Jean Schaumkel Taliauli.
-
Hugh Douglas Glossop
Having completed his PhD in Chemistry, Hugh has since pursued a postdoctoral position overseas.
-
Barb Lyon
Master of Science student Barb Lyon is interested in how records of life on Earth can be preserved in rocks.
-
Herman Marks
Master of Bioscience Enterprise student Herman Marks is researching about clinical trials in New Zealand.
-
Jaime Willis
PhD candidate Jaime Willis is interested in how animals survive in extreme environments and how this could be applied to humans.
-
Kaitlin Riegel
Mathematics Education PhD candidate Kaitlin Riegel hopes her research will contribute to understanding how mathematics can be taught more effectively.
-
Ruairi Kavanagh
Wine Science student Ruairi Kavanagh aspires to make his own organically grown wines after his studies.
-
Tegan Stone
Medical Statistics student Tegan Stone plans to undertake research to help our society in public health.
-
Wednesday Davis
Masters student Wednesday Davis is working on research that will contribute to marine conservation efforts.
-
Urawadee Rajchakit
PhD candidate Urawadee Rajchakit aspires to become an academic research professor.
-
Olivier Graffeuille
Computer Science PhD candidate Olivier Graffeuille is interested in how machine learning can help us understand extreme climate events.
-
Peter Fermin Dajime
PhD candidate Peter Fermin Dajime wants to help people live an active lifestyle with Virtual Reality technology.
-
Nina de Jong
Following her graduation in 2022, Nina de Jong has received a Woolf Fisher Scholarship to undertake her PhD in Plant Ecology at Cambridge University.
-
Isabelle Steinmann
Following the graduation of her Masters in Mathematics in 2022, Isabelle Steinmann has commenced her PhD in Mathematics at the University of Chicago.
-
Omni Arona
Omni is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Psychology.
-
Zoe Xie
Zoe is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition.
-
Harry Lewin
Harry is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
-
Casey Park
Casey is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry.
-
Jacob Ngaha
Jacob is studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics.
-
Alana Jacobson-Pepere
Alana is studying a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Science.
-
Hanna Bramanto
Hanna is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Data Science.
-
Justin Menezes
Justin is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (majoring in Physiology).
-
Matt Illing
Matt is studying towards a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) in Environmental Change.
-
Meg Spittal
Meg is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences.
-
Mena Welford
Mena is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Marine Science.
-
Treselle Raman
Treselle is studying a Bachelor of Science in Green Chemical Science.
-
Max Kim
Max is studying towards a conjoint Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce in Psychology, Statistics, Marketing and Information Systems.
-
Aditi Sherekar
Aditi is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Psychology.
-
Adrianne Mendes-Underwood
Adrianne is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Chemistry.
-
Debbie Larkins
Debbie is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
-
Sarthak Choudhery
Sarthak is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology.
-
Keely Bowler
Keely is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry
-
Maya Smith
Maya is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science because she wants to be able to help people.
-
Sam Thompson
Sam is studying towards a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) in Computer Science.

Meet our student: Nitish Sant
Nitish Sant is studying the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Security. He talks to us about how the course has helped him learn the skills needed to become a cyber security incident responder.
-
Jordan Elvy
Jordan will complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marine Science in 2022, and plans to continue in the field of aquaculture research once she finishes studying.
-
Maria Charry
Maria completed her PhD, receiving her doctorate in 2019. She now works as a science adviser to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
-
Renee Johansen
Renee completed her PhD in Biology at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in 2016.
-
Amy Martain
Amy shares her Joint Graduate School experience, having completed a PhD in Biological Sciences in 2020.
-
Taryn Smith
Taryn has found her GIS and Environmental Science studies are a perfect blend of discovering the natural world and how to safeguard it.
-
Sasha Douglas
Sasha Douglas is completing a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the Faculty of Science.
-
Gemma Cunnington
Gemma Cunnington graduated with a Bachelor in Marine Science (BSc) in May 2022.
-
Eugene In
Final year student Eugene In moved to Auckland from Christchurch and describes her experiences studying and settling into life in a new city.
-
Jessie Houston
Psychology student Jessie Houston reflects on her studies so far and her experiences in the Leadership Through Learning programme.
-
Ivana Jurasovic
Third year student Ivana Jurasovic reflects on her studies in Environmental Change so far.
-
Michelle Scriver
Michelle has been able to combine her fascination of DNA with her passion for the beauty and mystery of the ocean by studying a PhD in Marine Science with a focus on molecular ecology.
-
Mahima Seth
Mahima is aiming to use her Honours study in physics as a pathway into working for an organization like NIWA, or even NASA, applying an understanding of the principles of our own environment to learning more about the environments of other planets.
-
Jack Lin
Jack Lin decided to major in Logic and Computation because it complemented his other major, Computer Science, by expanding on the logic and thought process behind the basic principles of computing.
-
Emily Twort
Emily chose her study pathway based on a desire to combine her passion for science and the outdoors.
-
Kapish Gobindlal
PhD candidate Kapish Gobindlal is researching ways to effectively destroy toxic chemicals at a molecular level.
-
Daniel Harrison
Daniel Harrison is studying a Master of Science in Biological Sciences.
-
Alofa Tasi
Alofa Tasi is studying a PGDip in Science - Clinical Exercise Physiology.
-
Farheen Kothiwala
Farheen Kothiwala’s passion for science led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biology and psychology. However, shortly into her first year, she realised it was Physiology that really sparked her interest.
-
Buster Layzell
Buster Layzell explains how he is able to combine his interests in forensic anthropology and field archaeology.
-
Halaevalu Tu'ipulotu
Through studying mathematics, Halaevalu found a passion for encouraging others to ask questions and seek to achieve their best, tutoring kids and running workshops in schools!
-
Heiana Agnieray
Meet Faculty of Science student Heiana Agnieray.
-
Gustav Chuling
Meet Faculty of Science student Gustav Chuling.
-
Namodh Edirisinghe
Meet Faculty of Science student Namodh Edirisinghe.
-
Alofa Soolefai
Talofa lava, my name is Alofa So’olefai and I hail from the villages of Faleālili, Faleasi’u and Safune, Savai’i.
-
Malakai Vaioleti
Mālō e lelei, my name is Malakai Vaioleti and I hail from the great island of Tonga.
-
Nellisa Jean Schaumkel Taliauli
Meet the Faculty of Science student Nellisa Jean Schaumkel Taliauli.
-
Hugh Douglas Glossop
Having completed his PhD in Chemistry, Hugh has since pursued a postdoctoral position overseas.
-
Barb Lyon
Master of Science student Barb Lyon is interested in how records of life on Earth can be preserved in rocks.
-
Herman Marks
Master of Bioscience Enterprise student Herman Marks is researching about clinical trials in New Zealand.
-
Jaime Willis
PhD candidate Jaime Willis is interested in how animals survive in extreme environments and how this could be applied to humans.
-
Kaitlin Riegel
Mathematics Education PhD candidate Kaitlin Riegel hopes her research will contribute to understanding how mathematics can be taught more effectively.
-
Ruairi Kavanagh
Wine Science student Ruairi Kavanagh aspires to make his own organically grown wines after his studies.
-
Tegan Stone
Medical Statistics student Tegan Stone plans to undertake research to help our society in public health.
-
Wednesday Davis
Masters student Wednesday Davis is working on research that will contribute to marine conservation efforts.
-
Urawadee Rajchakit
PhD candidate Urawadee Rajchakit aspires to become an academic research professor.
-
Olivier Graffeuille
Computer Science PhD candidate Olivier Graffeuille is interested in how machine learning can help us understand extreme climate events.
-
Peter Fermin Dajime
PhD candidate Peter Fermin Dajime wants to help people live an active lifestyle with Virtual Reality technology.
-
Nina de Jong
Following her graduation in 2022, Nina de Jong has received a Woolf Fisher Scholarship to undertake her PhD in Plant Ecology at Cambridge University.
-
Isabelle Steinmann
Following the graduation of her Masters in Mathematics in 2022, Isabelle Steinmann has commenced her PhD in Mathematics at the University of Chicago.
-
Akali Reynolds
Akali is studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Science in Computer Science and Information and Technology Management.
-
Shi-Wei Kim
Shi-Wei is studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry.
-
Dr Kamal Patel
Kamal is studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Medicinal Chemistry.
-
Pablo Ortega-Auriol
Pablo is studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Sciences.
-
Logan Hamley
Logan is studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.
-
Melanie Mayall-Nahi
Melanie is studying towards a Master of Science in Environmental Management.
-
Sarah Davis
Sarah is studying towards a Post-Graduate Diploma in Science in Biosecurity and Conservation
-
Anzel Singh
Anzel is studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in Biological Sciences.