Libby Martin | Feigin Kupe Leadership Scholar

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours)

Immunisation rates around the world are falling, and it is becoming a prevalent issue in New Zealand. The fall in immunisation rates is mainly due to a lack of public knowledge about how vaccinations work and how to access them. The work being done by scientists in New Zealand and around the world is amazing but I believe we lack the communication with the public to allow our communities to make fully informed decisions about vaccinating their children.

I have always felt the need to use my skills to help others and aiding science communication feels like the right way to do so. By making science more accessible to all members of our community we can help reduce health disparities and make health care more equitable for future generations.

Sponsor: Stuart Feigin

Mentor: Dr Nikki Turner, General Practitioner, Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) and Associate Professor in the Division of General Practice and Primary Health Care