What are your current research interests?
My primary research interests focus on the health behaviours and mental wellbeing of school
teachers. I’m especially interested in co-designing school-based interventions in
collaboration with teachers to ensure they are practical, contextually relevant, and
sustainable.

Have you ever been to Auckland or NZ before?
Yes, I have been to Auckland when I was a child. More recently I have travelled to
Queenstown and Wellington.

What are you most excited about visiting the area?
I’m going to do a day trip to see the Waitomo Glowworm Caves which I’m excited about.

What are you most excited about at the ISBNPA conference itself? What do you like
most about ISBNPA compared with other conferences – what makes it special/unique?
What excites me most about the ISBNPA conference is the diversity of research areas and
methodologies represented. I really enjoy learning about different method, research
perspectives and engaging with researchers from various backgrounds to spark new ideas.
As an Australian, the global nature of ISBNPA presents a great opportunity for me to meet
researchers and hear about work from across the world, all in one place.

As an early career researcher, I’ve found ISBNPA to be especially supportive, with
numerous opportunities for networking, skill-building, and active participation. It really feels
like a community that values and invests in the development of future leaders in the field.

What are your goals for the conference or how do you try to make the most of
conference attendance?

1. Attend pre-conference events – I always make time for workshops and social
   events like the NESI pre-conference session. These are good opportunities to meet
   other early-career academics in a relaxed setting before the formal program begins.
   It’s great walking into the first day already knowing a few friendly faces – people to
   chat with, sit with, or grab lunch with. I’m still in touch with people I met at the 2022
   NESI workshop.
2. Follow up on presentations that interest you – If a talk really resonates with you
   or overlaps with your area of work, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to the
   presenter. Ask a question, share your thoughts, or just let them know you
   appreciated their insights. Most presenters are happy to chat about their research. If you miss the chance right after their talk, try to catch them during a break or a social event.
3. Say yes to spontaneous invites If someone invites you to join a dinner, a coffee, or
   a quick walk between sessions – say yes. These informal catch ups are a great way
   to meet others from different research groups.

Where can we follow along with your work?
You can follow me on LinkedIn.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: the NESI podcast is launching this month!

Why a podcast? Over the years, we’ve loved connecting with our global community through live webinars. However, we know that scheduling across time zones can be tough. So, we asked ourselves: how can we make it easier for everyone to access inspiring stories and valuable insights? Our answer was a podcast – designed to engage listeners, anytime, anywhere.

What topics will the podcast cover? Season one has a stellar line-up of guests exploring a wide range of topics in physical activity and nutritional research. From advocacy and science communication to the drivers of health behaviours and real-world research impact, we’re covering it all. Tailored especially for students and early career researchers (ECRs), the episodes also dive into important aspects of academic life, including peer reviewing, publishing, and navigating the transition from student to early-/mid-career researcher.

Is the podcast just for students and ECRs? Not at all! While we aim to showcase the work of students and ECRs, the podcast is for everyone interested in behavioural nutrition and physical activity research, whether you’re a senior academic, policymaker, clinician, or simply curious about the field.  

What are we most excited about? We have been incredibly lucky that people have been eager and willing to participate in the podcast. An unexpected, best part of hosting the podcast has been learning about the unique journeys each person has gone on through their research career and hearing their enthusiasm and passion for the work they do. Ultimately, we are most excited about launching the podcast. We have been working on developing the podcast for the past few months, and we are happy to finally share it with all of you.

When and where can you listen? The NESI podcast launch is just around the corner! Episodes will be available starting 19 May on the major podcast platforms, as well as the ISBNPA YouTube page. New episodes will be released every other week. However, with all the exciting things going on with ISBNPA and NESI, we decided to have a couple of extra episodes leading up to the conference on 11 June, so stay tuned!  

Want to be featured? We are always looking for new voices! Please reach out to us at isbnpanesipodcast@gmail.com with a short bio and the research you want to share on the podcast, whether that is a specific paper, a larger project or a topic in your field that you study.

We can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been working on!

-The NESI Team

What area of research do you work in? – My current research is focused on the use of advanced technology, such as automated insulin delivery systems, for the management of Type 1 Diabetes. This includes nutritional management such as carbohydrate awareness and nutrition-related impacts of using advanced technologies. Furthermore, my work with Te Hau Kori explores the associations between domain specific physical activity and wellbeing in adults and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

My PhD research explored the effects of interrupting sedentary time with short bouts of activity, on postprandial metabolism and sleep, as well as understanding what would help and hinder people from preforming this behaviour in real life. My wider research interests include the importance of physical activity across the lifespan and cardiometabolic disease prevention.

Why is your work important, what drives you to do the work you do, or what brought you to this area of work?

Sport and physical activity have always been a central part of my life. Growing up, I played a range of competitive sports and regularly took part in recreational activities with family and friends. As a result, physical activity is simply part of who I am. I believe it is this passion, along with my personal experiences around both activity and nutrition, that naturally led me to work in this space. Nutrition also played a significant role in my upbringing, particularly in the context of sport, which sparked my interest in nutrition and physical activity as a professional pathway.

I see my work as important because it addresses real-world challenges faced by people living with long-term conditions like Type 1 Diabetes, while also contributing to wider public health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether it’s supporting individuals to make the most of advanced technologies for better diabetes management, or exploring how physical activity across different life domains relates to wellbeing, I’m driven by the opportunity to contribute to evidence-based strategies that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

What excites you most about your colleagues from around the world visiting NZ? – I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to connect in person with colleagues from around the world, especially those I’ve only ever interacted with online. It’s exciting to be able to showcase the research happening here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and to learn from the diverse perspectives that international visitors bring. There is always something special about welcoming others to our home country, sharing our culture, and building new collaborations in a uniquely New Zealand context. Importantly, I think having the conference here provides a valuable platform for amplifying voices from the Pacific region, that are often underrepresented on the global stage.

Do you have any recommendations for Auckland (or NZ in general) for folks coming into town? – Wynyard Quarter is definitely worth a visit on a nice day (on the waterfront in Auckland City). If you want to go North of the City, I recommend checking out Takapuna Beach, it’s perfect for a beach day, and there are plenty of great shops and eateries close by. If you’re after more of a laid-back, relaxed vibe, I’d recommend heading up to the Hibiscus Coast or Orewa – that part of Auckland has beautiful beaches and a real holiday feel, without having to venture too far. There are also loads of great walks around Auckland itself, like Rangitoto Island (you’ll need to take a ferry there), Mount Eden, or the bush tracks out in the Waitākere Ranges.

Why is NZ a unique place to do research? – From my experiences, I would say we have a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration, and a real drive to ensure that research makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. Being a smaller country means we’re often able to work more closely with communities, clinicians, and policymakers, which helps ensure our research is not only rigorous but also relevant and impactful. On the other hand, being a smaller country also means that collaboration is central to the work we. Building strong relationships across institutions, sectors, and disciplines is essential to maximise resources and create meaningful change and is something that has been evident to me right from the beginning of my research career.

How would you describe your program of research and its significance? — I am incredibly grateful to be part of UBC’s dual Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program! This unique program allows me to gain clinical physiotherapy skills while refining my research expertise to support Indigenous health through physical activity. Not only do I enjoy living in Vancouver, but UBC’s beautiful campus, world-class researchers, and diverse opportunities make it the perfect place to grow professionally. My long-term goal is to collaborate with First Nations-led organizations in rural northern BC to advance culturally appropriate, community-driven health initiatives, building on the meaningful work this program supports. 

What drives you to continue in this path? — My family is my greatest inspiration for this work. Getting to witness the limited healthcare services available in rural northern BC, where my grandparents and mother had lived, sparked my passion for supporting the health of people in these areas. Their experiences help me connect deeply with this work, which makes it even more meaningful. My family’s encouragement—whether through mock interviews, feedback on my presentations, or even just ensuring my belly is full of food—keeps me motivated. Their belief in my goals and the opportunity to honour their experiences drive me to continue. 

What is a project you’re working on right now that you’re excited about? — I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), a health and wellness organization representing 13 First Nations communities in north-central British Columbia. In a partnership between UBC and CSFS, I’m working to develop sustainable, culturally appropriate physical activity programs. This four-part project involves supporting community leadership in outlining their physical activity goals, critically analyzing funding resources available for Indigenous initiatives across Canada, implementing a pilot program and qualitatively evaluating this program in three communities. It’s an incredible opportunity to combine research, community engagement, and meaningful action for long-term health and wellness! 

Given unlimited funding, what would your dream research project be? — With unlimited funding, I would lead a research and wellness centre in northern BC dedicated to supporting Indigenous health. This center would bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, and community members to collaborate on holistic projects grounded in Indigenous Ways of Knowing. It could include dietitians promoting traditional foods and physiotherapists incorporating land-based activities into rehabilitation. The centre would provide healthcare services, create employment opportunities, and serve as a hub for graduate students to begin their research journeys. It would be a space to honour culture, improve health outcomes, and empower communities. Hopefully, one day this dream will become a reality! 

Want to learn more? – Find more about Sunaina’s lab at the University of British Columbia here. If you’re interested in following Sunaina’s journey, you can connect with her on Bluesky, LinkedIn or Instagram. 

How would you describe your program of research and its significance? — My research lies in promoting physical activity and health through lifestyle intervention using emerging technologies (wearables, Apps, Virtual reality, and Exergames) in a context of 24-hour movement behavior. Likewise using machine learning algorithms and big data analysis to personalize physical activity and exercise programs among older adults and people with chronic diseases. We are moving toward precision in physical activity and exercise to eradicate the notion of “one-size-fit-all” recommendations and interventions. 24-hour movement behavior which enable us understand the interrelatedness of movement within a 24-hour cycle will provide insight  into our movement behavior as a whole and it impact our health outcomes. 

What inspires you to pursue a career in research? — Covid-19 pandemic inspired my interest of using technology as a tool to promote physical activity-finding a way to make participating in physical activity easy, fun, and beneficial through technological devices. The evolving nature of technology keep driving my research interest. The advancement in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence makes me ask the question of how these technological advantage can foster physical activity and exercise precision in population-based approach. 

What is a project you’re working on right now that you’re excited about? — I am working on Time Reallocations among Obese Adult’s 24-Hour Movement Behaviors and the impact on Health Outcomes, which is currently under peer review. I am excited about this project because the outcome of this project can provide novel evidence in tackling Obesity which remains high in the US (CDC, 2024). In this project, we looked at movement behavior (sedentary behavior, Light physical activity, MVPA, and sleep) and its impact on health outcomes. This is novel because we don’t engage in just one movement in a day, but as a whole which includes sedentary behavior, Light PA, and Sleep. Therefore, treating movement behavior as a whole and not in isolation provides novel knowledge on how movement behavior within a 24-hour cycle impacts the health outcomes of people with obesity. Lastly, to understand changes in health outcomes when time is reallocated from one movement behavior to another. 

Want to learn more? — Find his recent publication on Precision Health Using Fitness Wearables and Apps here and a summary of other works on his website. You can also connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.