Sophia is a Community Engagement Specialist at GNS Science. Her work focuses on non-traditional outreach methods, bringing research into the pre-tertiary classroom, and learning about how lava flows affect cities. She loves to teach and mentor and has experience volunteering in preschools all the way through teaching post-graduates. If you have questions about Soilsafe Kids, she’d love to hear from you! Her email is s.tsang@gns.cri.nz

Victoria is a Research Fellow in the University of Auckland’s School of Nursing. Her research focuses on kids, specifically children’s neighbourhood built environments; how things like where kids live, play, and go to school impacts on their health and wellbeing. Victoria loves spending time outside going for walks, looking after her garden, or playing with her sheep.

Melanie trained in Soil Science and Agronomy. Her research looks at the occurrence and fate of contaminants in the environment. She is particularly interested in understanding the chemistry side of things, how different contaminants behave in different environment and whether this can be related to what people are exposed to. Melanie is a keen gardener… but not a very good one.

Laura (she/her) is a PhD student in Geology at the University of Auckland. Laura loves visiting her family and pets on their sheep farm in Southland, spending time with friends, eating good kai, and tending to her ever-growing jungle of house and office plants.

Donna (she/her) is completing her studies in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland. Her research interests are in population health, particularly for children. Donna enjoys going on hikes and growing indoor pot plants. 

Bridget is currently completing her Masters in Dietetics and Nutrition with the University of Auckland. She has obtained a Bachelors of Science in Human Nutrition and Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching. In her spare time, Bridget enjoys cooking, reading recipe books cover to cover, some light gardening and being in nature.