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Professor Suetonia Green
MB ChB PhD FRACP
Professor Green is an academic kidney specialist who conducts large-scale clinical trials and meta-analysis and qualitative research about improving the health outcomes for people affected by kidney conditions.
Her current research focus is on identifying treatments that improve health and wellbeing, and healthcare quality and delivery across Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. She trained at the Dunedin School of Medicine at Otago Medical School and completed her PhD with the Christchurch Heart Institute, before completing her post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston.
Suetonia is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (FRSNZ) in recognition of the high impact of her research. She leads multiple clinical trials in collaboration with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and currently leads three HRC project grants. She has over 200 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 65, including publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, JAMA, BMJ, and Annals of Internal Medicine.
Suetonia has received numerous major awards for her research including the L’Oreal For Women in Science fellowship, a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, the University of Otago Carl Smith Medal and Rowheath Trust award, a Research Gold Medal at the University of Otago, Christchurch, and the Don and Lorraine Jacquot Fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
She is a practicing kidney specialist, specialising in paediatric transition, palliative care, and home-based dialysis. She completed her specialist training and FRACP in 2005.
Professor Green serves as Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine, and as Associate Dean (Medical Admissions). She is a member of the new National Renal Clinical Network for the Ministry of Health and has served as the Chair of the New Zealand Nephrology Group and President Elect of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology. She is a member of the Health Research Council Data Monitoring Core Committee, overseeing the safety and integrity of trials funded by the HRC. Suetonia is a member of the Otago Medical Curriculum Committee and is leading work on a new digital platform to support clinical activity observation in Advanced Learning in Medicine.
Suetonia currently supervises seven research students in the BMedSci(Hons), Master’s, and PhD programmes at the University of Otago.
Some of her current research projects are:
- IMPEDE-PKD — National Chief Investigator for the IMPEDE-PKD randomised controlled trial of metformin to protect kidney function in people with polycystic kidney disease (HRC project grant; $1.4m)
- DOPE – Principal Investigator for a study exploring the use of cannabis to improve symptom management for people with advanced chronic kidney disease (HRC activation grant; $30,000)
- INCH-HD (NZ) – Principal Investigator for the INCH-HD (NZ) study, which involves co‑designing a protocol that is feasible for the renal unit in Aotearoa New Zealand (HRC activation grant; $30,000).
Rachel Haselden
BA MA(Hons) GradDipCouns
Kia ora koutou,
I love being a researcher. It has fed a lifelong interest in how people make sense of the world and the impact of society on people. My favourite part of research is when I get the opportunity to interview participants, for example, older peoples’ driving experiences or how home dialysis has impacted people’s lives and mental health.
I am the national co‑ordinator of the international IMPEDE-PKD trial, which looks at whether metformin can protect kidney function in people with polycystic kidney disease. It is important to me that there are more options for people with this disease.
I enjoy being part of talented multi-disciplinary teams. I’ve had many different roles in different fields, but I keep returning to research. I am a committed life-long learner with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender studies. I also have a master’s in sociology looking at health narratives around endometriosis, and a postgraduate diploma in counselling.
When not working, I can be found playing volleyball, developing my archery skills, exploring new places, or engrossed in a good novel. I love being carried away watching a great film or appreciating others’ creativity.
Jasjot Maggo
MBBS MMEd MPhil PhD
I am the project manager for the IMPEDE‑PKD and trials and a PhD candidate at the University of Otago, where I have submitted my thesis. With 15 years of experience in clinical research, I specialise in the regulatory and analytical aspects of trials. In addition to my work on clinical trials, I collaborate on disability research, focusing on making data collection tools more accessible.
What brings me the most joy in my research is the opportunity to simplify the process for participants, their families, colleagues, and collaborators. Streamlining the research process for participants, their families, research staff, and collaborators brings me immense satisfaction.
Outside of work, I am a devoted mother to two lively children who always keep me busy and entertained. Their boundless energy and curiosity inspire me every day. I also have a passion for crafting, whether it involves making home décor or personalised gifts. Furthermore, I enjoy selecting DIY projects for my husband to tackle, turning our weekends into memorable adventures or amusing disasters.
Ranui Hohaia
Taranaki / Ngāti Mutunga
Dip in Māori Health and Wellbeing (Rongoa)
Kia ora koutou,
I have a passion for health and wellness, and in particular Māori Health. I spent most of my working life in the Health and Disability Sector, specialising in Mental Health and Addictions.
I am the Kaiwhakatere Hauora Māori (Māori Health Navigator) for the IMPEDE-PKD Trial team based in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). My role is to ensure that Māori participation in research is equitable, sustainable, and is done using culturally safe methodologies.
I also bring with me my experience of having a mother with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). A dialysis machine was a common site growing up in my family until my mother passed at age 53.
Today, this experience and awareness drives me to ensure better health outcomes for Māori.
I am semi-retired and enjoy spending time with Tangaroa (god of the sea) at te takutai (the beach) and with Tāne Mahuta (god of the forest) in the ngāhere (forest) gathering rākau for Rongoa.
Mauri ora.
