KRISHTIKA MALA
Wellington Central,NZ
Summary
Public Health Researcher with a strong foundation in research design, health systems, and the social inequities affecting communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I bring an understanding of the lived realities of underserved populations, particularly Māori and Pacific communities, and a passion for addressing inequities through evidence-informed policy. Skilled in data collection, management, and analysis using a range of statistical and analytical tools. A clear communicator, I effectively present insights to diverse audiences through written publications and oral presentations. I am a collaborative team player who takes ownership of my work, values continuous learning, and is committed to delivering high-quality, impactful outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
PHD RESEARCHER
University of Otago
Wellington, NZ
08.2020 - 12.2025
- Designed and led an independent research project on interventions for streptococcal skin infections in Māori and Pacific communities to reduce risk of acute rheumatic fever.
- Developed a detailed research proposal, defining objectives, hypotheses, and methodological approaches aligned with ethical and academic standards.
- Secured ethics approval and data access from three government agencies, navigating complex data governance requirements.
- Conducted comprehensive literature reviews to synthesize evidence, and identify research gaps.
- Managed project timelines and logistics, coordinating with the research team to ensure timely delivery.
- Collected, cleaned, and integrated large-scale health datasets; conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses to generate actionable insights.
- Led Māori and Pacific consultation processes, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in research design and interpretation.
- Presented findings at seminars and international conferences; authored academic publications and thesis chapters.
- Secured competitive research funding to support the project.
- Ensured data security and compliance with ethical and legal standards in all data management practices.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
University of Otago
Wellington, NZ
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Coordinated and conducted phone interviews and surveys with research participants across diverse demographics.
- Built a strong rapport with interview participants by demonstrating empathy and cultural understanding, particularly in relation to the lived realities of Māori and Pacific Peoples.
- Listened attentively and accurately documented participant responses with professionalism and care.
- Maintained participant engagement through regular follow-up, resolving issues promptly, and escalating concerns when required.
- Handled inbound and outbound communications across multiple channels, ensuring respectful, timely, and culturally appropriate engagement.
- Implemented robust data management practices, ensuring the accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity of survey and interview data.
- Supported administrative tasks, including data entry, documentation, and reporting, to assist the research team.
- Participated in team meetings, and contributed to the continuous improvement of research and participant coordination processes.
- Demonstrated flexibility by adapting working hours to meet participants’ availability, and support high participant retention rate.
- Maintained a database of all research activities conducted during the course of the project.
- Verified accuracy of data by conducting quality assurance checks on collected materials.
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION ASSISTANT
Stacey Tennant Consultancy Limited
Wellington, NZ
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Designed a performance evaluation template to assess project effectiveness, impact, and outcomes.
- Developed an interactive data dashboard to support project evaluation and strategic planning.
- Consolidated and analyzed data across multiple projects, identifying trends, and generating actionable insights.
- Created visual displays that effectively communicate complex information about program performance.
- Maintained high standards of accuracy when analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
University of Otago
Wellington, NZ
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Conducted literature reviews and synthesized findings to inform project direction and research gaps.
- Drafted manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
- Drafted funding proposals and secured ethics approval for research involving sensitive data.
- Obtained data access permissions from external agencies, navigating privacy and governance protocols.
- Led Māori and Pacific consultation processes to ensure cultural integrity, and inclusive research design.
- Participated in team meetings to discuss progress on ongoing projects or brainstorm ideas for future endeavors.
- Collaborated with other researchers in developing study designs, methods, and tools for data collection.
Pharmacist
Ministry of Health & Medical Services
Suva, Fiji
01.2017 - 10.2019
- Applied regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with national health and safety standards, providing insights into the operational impact of health policy at the frontline level.
- Evaluated and interpreted clinical guidelines and medication protocols to support evidence-based decision-making, aligning with public health objectives.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient-centered care plans, fostering cross-sector coordination to address complex health and social needs.
- Provided culturally responsive care and medication counseling, particularly for Pacific patients, reinforcing the importance of equity in health service delivery.
- Managed quality assurance and risk mitigation processes, including the identification of system-level gaps and safety issues, contributing to continuous service improvement.
- Supervised and mentored staff while supporting the implementation of operational procedures, reflecting leadership and change management capabilities in regulated environments.
Education
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - Public Health
University of Otago
Wellington, NZ12-2025
MASTER OF EPIDEMIOLOGY -
University of Queensland
Brisbane, AUS01.2019
BACHELOR OF PHARMACY -
Fiji National University
Suva, Fiji01.2015
Skills
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Quantitative data analysis
- Qualitative data analysis
- Stata
- NVivo
- Microsoft Office
- Data Management
- Research methods
- Research methodologies
- Research design
- Learning mindset
- Proactive work approach
- Self-motivated
- Positive attitude
- Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Writing research papers
- Report writing
- Search engines
- Project planning
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Task prioritization
- Ethics applications
- Funding applications
- Māori and Pacific consultation
- Independent work
- Collaboration
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Organization skills
Publications
- There's no smoke without fire: Smoking in smoke-free acute mental health wards, PLOS ONE
- The epidemiology of repeatedly positive bacterial skin infections in Auckland children, New Zealand, Journal of infection
- Epidemiology of skin infections in Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand Medical Journal
- Epidemiology of skin infections and the relationship with acute rheumatic fever in Auckland, New Zealand, Speaker, World Congress on Rheumatic Heart Disease, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Group A Streptococcal skin infections: a critical health equity issue in New Zealand, Presenter, Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases, Brisbane, Australia
References
- Dr Julie Bennett, Senior Research Fellow, University of Otago, Julie.bennett@otago.ac.nz, +64 21 321 993
- Professor Michael Baker, Professor, University of Otago, Michael.baker@otago.ac.nz, +64 4 832 3214
- Dr Ben Darlow, Associate Professor, University of Otago, Ben.darlow@otago.ac.nz, +64 21 079 4693
Timeline
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION ASSISTANT
Stacey Tennant Consultancy Limited
01.2023 - 03.2023
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
University of Otago
01.2022 - 01.2024
PHD RESEARCHER
University of Otago
08.2020 - 12.2025
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
University of Otago
01.2019 - 01.2020
Pharmacist
Ministry of Health & Medical Services
01.2017 - 10.2019
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - Public Health
University of Otago
MASTER OF EPIDEMIOLOGY -
University of Queensland
BACHELOR OF PHARMACY -
Fiji National University
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