Barbara Angoro

Barbara, from Papua New Guinea, is a doctoral candidate in the School of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. She received a New Zealand Scholarship to fund her studies.

“I am blessed to have received a full scholarship for the duration of my PhD studies funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It has helped tremendously in terms of living expenses and tuition fees, allowing me to focus on studies without added stress.

“In a nutshell, my research work is centred around developing a direct method to quantify non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) in the body. So what is NTBI and why is it important? NTBI is found in patients who have various pathological conditions, where this potentially toxic iron species can cause cellular damage. Currently there is no effective or straightforward method of determining NTBI levels in the body to assist in clinical decisions for patient treatment. My research is aimed at addressing this.”

Come to the University of Auckland – the supervisors are experts in their fields, the technology and equipment available are some of the best in the industry, and the learning environment is one that fosters personal growth.

“The academic staff at the University have gone the extra mile to ensure I’ve received the best guidance and supervision for my PhD journey. The support available to international doctoral students is excellent. From the Doctoral Induction day, to Libraries and Learning Services workshops, to the faculty-organised induction and workshops, there is so much support available to us.

“Come to the University of Auckland – the supervisors are experts in their fields, the technology and equipment available are some of the best in the industry, and the learning environment is one that fosters personal growth. Lastly, join the Postgraduate Students Association – it’s nice to be part of a group of people who are going on a journey similar to yours, where you can share experiences and ideas.”