Education

Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy. University of Auckland. June 2018.

M.F.A, Interdisciplinary Art and Media. Columbia College Chicago. GPA: 3.9. May 2011.
B.S., Arts Technology.  Illinois State University.  Dec. 2007.  Cum laude.

 

Grants and Awards

NZ On Air New Music Kids Grant. 2022.

Callaghan Innovation Grant. 2022. 

40 Under 40: The University of Auckland's top 40 inspiring alumni. 2021.

Creative New Zealand Arts Continuity Grant. 2020.

Best Doctoral Thesis Award. University of Auckland. 2019.    

Velocity 100K Challenge, 2nd place. 2019.

Velocity Innovation Challenge Social Entrepreneurship Prize. University of Auckland. 2018.

Future Leader Award. The Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Researcher Forum. 2017.

Fund the Flow Arts seed grant recipient. 2016.

Three Minute Thesis 1st place winner. International U21 competition. 2016.

Three Minute Thesis 1st place winner. University of Auckland competition. 2016.

Brain Research New Zealand travel grant recipient. 2016.

Friends of the University of Auckland US/NZ Exchange Award. University of Auckland. 2015.

Albert P. Weisman Award. Columbia College Chicago. 2011.

 

Media / Press

Live interview on BBC World News, September, 2020.

Television segment on The Project, TV Three, November, 2018.

Television segment on TVNZ 1 News, July 2017.

Radio interview with Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, Radio New Zealand, July 2017.

Television segment on Maori TV, July 2017.

Radio interview on Newstalk ZB. November 2016.

Television segment on Seven Sharp, TVNZ. July 2016.

Radio interview with Kathryn Ryan, Radio New Zealand. July 2016.

2015 U.S. Exchange appeal Ambassador. University of Auckland. 2015.

Article in DEMO Magazine. “Top 20s: Alumni Making Their Mark in Careers They Love.” May 2014.

Installation at the 2011 Albert P. Weisman Award Exhibition. Columbia College Chicago. November 2011.
Installation at Salisbury University: The Electronic Gallery Summer “Shorts” Exhibition. Salisbury, MD. August 2011.

Installation at Digital Graffiti Festival, Alys Beach. Reviewed in: “Art of the City.”  Edge of Discovery, CNN Newsroom. Television. June 2010. 

 

Presentations

Universitas 21 Leaders Conference. Auckland, NZ. October 2019. 

New Zealand Diversional & Recreational Therapists National Conference. Auckland, NZ. August 2019. 

FitEx, the Science and Fitness of Exercise. Auckland, NZ. November 2018.

National Biomechanics Day. Auckland, NZ. April 2018.

Small Island, Big Ideas. Great Barrier Island, NZ. September 2017.

Aspire Professional Staff Conference. University of Auckland. Auckland, NZ. July 2017.

2016 Conference of the New Zealand Association of Gerontology. Wellington, NZ. September 2016.

World Congress on Active Ageing 2016. Melbourne, Australia. June 2016.

International Federation on Ageing 13th Global Congress. Brisbane, Australia. June 2016.

Brain Day 2016. University of Auckland. Auckland, NZ. May 2016.

TEDx Beacon Street. Boston, MA. November 2013.
College Arts Association 99th Conference. Instrument as Artwork as Interface. New York, NY. Feb 2011.
Panelist. “Translation.” Columbia College Chicago. Chicago, IL. May 2010.

 

Publications

"The Effects of Poi on Physical and Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults." The Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. January 2019.

"How I overcame rejection to turn my love of poi into research." The Times Higher Education. January 2017.

"The Effects of International Poi and Tai Chi on Physical and Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults." Conference proceedings. The Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. June 2016.

“The Orbitar.” Media-N Journal. College Arts Association 2011 Edition.  

Work Experience

Founder, CEO. SpinPoi Ltd.2009 – present.

Graduate Teaching Assistant. University of Auckland Dance Studies. 2015 - present.

Instructor. Circability, Auckland community circus. 2015 - present.

Program Coordinator. White Levy Program, Harvard University. 2012 – 2015.
Videographer. PBS Design Squad. 2012 –2013.

Organizer, Graphic Designer. HONK! Festival. 2012 - 2014.

Web Content Management and Design. Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies. 2011 – 2014.
Web Content Management and Design. Tufts University, Stockholm Environment Institute. 2011 – 2012.

Graduate Assistant in InterArts & Media. Web content management, photographer, tech support. Columbia College Chicago. 2009–2010.
Intern. Absolute Architecture.  Winnetka, IL. 2009 – 2010.
Instructor. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Recreation Hour. May 2010.
Teaching Assistant in Arts Technology. Illinois State University. 2008. 
Web Designer. Starnet Digital Publishing. 2008.

 

Skills

Graphics / Web Design: Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Wordpress
Office: Word, Powerpoint, Acrobat Pro, Outlook, Excel, Filemaker
Coding: HTML, CSS
Video & Audio: Final Cut Pro, Motion, Premiere, Ableton

Music: flute, piccolo, alto sax, trombone, guitar, piano, percussion

Circus: poi, juggling, hoop, unicycle, acrobatics