^{What is your name, where do you connect to, whom do youdescend from? (pepeha and a little about yourself).}

Ki te taha o tōku Māmā ko Ngāti Porou te iwi. Ki te taha otōku Pāpā ko Te Aitanga a Hauiti me Ngā Puhi ngā iwi.

Ko Te Horo rātou ko Hiruhārama, ko Ōhinewaiapu, koWhareponga, ko Rāhui, ko Pōkai, ko Te Rawheoro, ko Puketewai, ko Hinemauriahoki ōku marae.

Ko Tim Lima rāua ko Peggy Haenga ōku tīpuna.

Ko Christina Lima tōku Māmā.

I whānau mai au ki Whāngārā ki runga i te Mahana Station.

I tipu ake au i waenganui i konei me Ōtautahi whānui.

Kei te whai au i taku tākutatanga kei roto i te Tari MatūKoiora ā Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

Ko Ahorangi Parry Guilford rāua ko Ahorangi Karyn Paringataiōku amorangi.

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^{What are you studying? What is your research about?}

I am doing my PhD at Otago in Te Aho Matatū (The Centre forTranslational Cancer Research), which prioritises research that “bridges the gap between laboratory-based science and treatment in the clinic.” This means the results of our projects are likely to have more immediate effects on how cancers are treated and managed here in Aotearoa. My project aims to work with our communities and clinicians here in Te Tairāwhiti to inform the tikanga of a blood test for cancer DNA and the kawa for how it can be used here.

The goal is for this test to reduce the number of unnecessary visits whānau living with cancer up the coast have to make to the city and to allow greater involvement, support, and up skilling of our Ngāti Porou kaimahi. The science side of my research was to design a series of laboratory tests for detecting this cancerDNA that we could run here in Tairāwhiti with very little equipment and pūtea. The tikanga side of my research meant talking with my whānau and their clinicians about the Tairāwhiti cancer care pathway, identifying ways in which it can be improved, and the values our people and kaimahi would require to be upheld when using this test.

^{Who inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?}

My mum has a great love for puzzles and learning thatinspired a natural curiosity in me that lead to my love for science. She also instilled a deep sense of manaakitanga and whakapono. We lost my Papa JosephGreen, Papa Dave Morrow, Uncle Paki Takarua, Nanny Pōrua Green, Aunty Hariata Green, and Aunty Frankie Moran to cancers all here in Te Tairāwhiti. Over the years, these losses also shaped me and my determination to improve not only our understanding of cancer but also our medical and education systems to empower our whānau with the knowledge, support, and courage to get diagnosed earlier and so prevent more needless losses.

^{How did you overcome some of the challenges, if any, inyour pursuit in a career in healthcare?}

My whānau have been my biggest supporters since I popped out on the floor of the old farm cottage in Whāngārā. Though it was a culture shock going from Whāngārā primary school to the English schools in rural Canterbury, mum was determined to get me an education that she struggled to get from her schooling here in Tairāwhiti. Now, as the first of my whānau to be completing aDoctorate in Biochemistry, I can only commend her for the hardships and sacrifices she endured to do so.

Retaining strong relationships with whānau here on the coast has supported me in coming home to learn and connect with ourNgāti Poroutanga, tikanga, and reo since I started my PhD. This connection has empowered me to advocate for the mahi I wish to do and that will be most valuable for my whānau here despite me being based at the University of Otago in Dunedin.

^{Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?}

In the next 5-10 years, I wish to see science literacy and passion for sciences reflected in our tauira and kaiako alike here in our Tairāwhitikura. I would like to continue my mahi designing resources and curricula that teach concepts of genetics and human biology using te ao Māori principles and encourage learners to see their unique perspectives and mātauranga as an asset that can strengthen their scientific research.

I see myself connecting whānau, kaimahi hauora, kairangahau, and kaiako across the motu and te ao whānui to form projects and collaborations that will improve the health and wellbeing of all of our people.

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