Group Members
Postgraduate Students
Megha Baburaj Sijarani
About me: TBA
Other interests: TBA
Fathima Nimra Abdul Haleem
About me: I was born and grew up in Sri Lanka and moved to New Zealand to pursue my Ph.D. in Chemistry at AUT. I am a B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry graduate from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and right after graduation, I worked as a teaching assistant in Chemistry for two leading universities in my country. I then started my career as a research scientist, but I always had a passion to continue my higher studies in Chemistry. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to join the Brasch group. Currently, I am working on photoactive HNO donor molecules under the supervision of Prof. Nicola Brasch.
Other interests: Travelling and cooking.
Anau Lautaha
About me: Malo e Lelei, I was born and grew up on the Island of Vava’u, Tonga. I moved to New Zealand after my high school years and completed a BSc in Applied Chemistry at AUT. I started out my career as a Laboratory technician for a couple of years but took a turn to pursue teaching Science at the High School level. I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Auckland and after years of teaching, I decided to further my education. I completed a Master of Science (Research) last year at AUT, working with Professor Allan Blackman on “Studying of Transition Metal Complexes Containing Pentaamine Ligands”. To further my curiosity and passion for Science and Research, I am now working with Prof. Nicola Brasch in exploring the photogeneration of HNO from photocaged molecules.
Jess Fredericksen
About me: I was born and grew up in New Zealand. I have been a student with AUT since 2009 having gained a Diploma in Culinary Arts in 2012. After some work experience in hospitality, I decided to further my education and begin studying Food Science only to discover my passion for Chemistry. I am now completing my third year in my Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Chemistry and Microbiology along with a third year research project supervised by Prof. Nicola Brasch.
Other Interests: Hockey and spending time with my two beautiful daughters.
Undergraduate Students
Charlotte Brunner
About me: I was born and grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. I completed an undergraduate diploma in science at AUT finding both chemistry and biology papers interesting. I am now in my third year of Bachelor of Science, with a double major of chemistry and biomedical science. I am currently doing a third-year research project under the supervision of Prof. Nicola Brasch on HNO donor molecules.
Other Interests: Cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with my pets.
Cassey Olsen
About me: I was born and grew up in in Rotorua, New Zealand and after high school I moved to Auckland to begin my study at AUT with a BSc majoring in Biomedical Science. Shortly into my second semester I discovered my interest in chemistry, leading me to double major in both Chemistry and Biomedical Science. I am currently working on my third-year research project under the supervision of Prof. Nicola Brasch working on a HNO donor project.
Clarence Navalta
About me: I was born in the Philippines and moved to New Zealand during primary school. I first majored in mechatronics engineering, but after completing a chemistry-related course, I found a strong interest in the subject and switched to science, with a focus on chemistry. To improve my laboratory skills, I joined the research laboratory at AUT in my second year. I will begin my third-year research project on fluorescent B12 conjugates this upcoming summer under the supervision of Prof. Nicola Brasch.
Other Interests: Swimming and gardening.