Dr Zaramasina Clark from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Biological Sciences, alongside Dr Edmond Fehoko from the University of Otago, have been awarded a Health Research Council (HRC) Pacific Project Grant.
The grant will go towards a multidisciplinary study aiming to identify ways in which assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), can better serve Pacific peoples in Aotearoa.
Dr Clark says Pacific peoples tend to access assisted reproductive technologies (ART), like IVF, at lower rates than other ethnicities—despite experiencing higher levels of infertility.
“There’s little to no data on the rate of uptake, and not enough knowledge about Pacific peoples’ lived experiences and perceptions of infertility and reproductive technologies.
“Our study aims to address this knowledge gap and figure out how we can better serve our community. It comes at the perfect time for us to also try address one of the noted barriers to publicly funded ART for Pacific peoples: BMI cut-offs.”
She says she and Dr Fehoko are “excited but humbled” by the opportunity to begin their study—having both also previously received HRC Pacific Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) at the University, congratulated Dr Clark on the achievement.
“By winning approval for such a huge and prestigious award from the Health Research Council, she is signalling to other Pasifika academics that they can equally work hard, apply, and be successful also.
“Additionally, Dr Clark’s research is hugely important—enabling the voices and experiences of Pasifika peoples’ fertility to be told and shared.”
Professor Louise Dixon, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Science, says it is wonderful to see the work of “pioneering” early career researchers like Dr Clark supported by prestigious funders.
“The work of Dr Clark and her team will help to address healthcare inequities and improve outcomes for Pacific communities across Aotearoa. This much needed work highlights how important it is that scientists work in multidisciplinary teams to best address issues in society.
“We are proud of Zara and her team and look forward to supporting them on their journey through this research project.”
Also forming part of the research team are Associate Professor Rhonda Shaw and Associate Professor Janet Pitman, from the School of Social and Cultural Studies and School of Biological Sciences respectively.
