Former Summer Students

2008 – 2009 Summer Students

During the 2008 – 2009 University vacation the HOPE Foundation sponsored two students, one from the Department of Psychological Medicine and the other from the Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, to enable them to undertake specific academic research.

Emma Macdonald’s research was an attempt to discover whether it is possible to predict functional recovery following cardiac surgery from drawings made by the patient. Patient perceptions of illness have been found to contribute significantly to their physiological and psychological recovery. . Emma used drawings done by the patients both before and after surgery as a means of gauging whether patient perceptions are indicative of the clinical and psychological outcomes. If this use of drawing is found to be effective it could be encouraged as a normal part of clinical practice.  The outcome though not definitive was encouraging.

Amanda Siu’s research project was entitled: The validation of two calculators of fracture risk in healthy New Zealand post-menopausal women. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Garvan Institute in Australia have devised calculators that factor in risk factors for fractures in people with osteoporosis in an attempt to identify those who are most likely to sustain fractures.  This knowledge would allow early targeted interventions in such people.  Her research was an attempt to discover if these calculators were relevant for the New Zealand population.  She found that neither calculator was particularly useful. The results of this research were presented at the May meeting of the Auckland Branch of the NZAssociation of Gerontology. The audience comprised health professionals and the Friends and supporters of the HOPE Foundation.

2007-2008 Summer Students

During the 2007-2008 University vacation, The Foundation sponsored two students from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at The University of Auckland, to enable them to undertake specific academic research.

Joel Rabindran studied the reactions of elderly patients to a blood pressure robot, a new technology for the care of the elderly. This pioneering study on human perception of robots may one day lead to the successful design and implementation of robots in hospitals and homes.

Farrah Rodrigues analysed diet, health and genotype in healthy, high risk and cancer groups. The study was of particular relevance to prostate cancer, a disease most frequent in men over 50 years.

Joel and Farrah. Along with their supervisors, presented the results of their research at the Auckland Branch of the NZ Association of Gerontology in May.  The audience comprised health professionals and Friends and supporters of The HOPE Foundation.

2006 - 2007  Summer Students

Aims and Objectives:

In the twenty first Century, mental illness accounts for a relatively high proportion of the global burden of disease and mortality rate compared with other chronic diseases. The 2003-2004 NZ Health Survey estimated the prevalence of severe mental illness in our population to be one in forty adults, among which depressive disorders were most common. Considering all the implications, depression in the older population is very significant to the health of older New Zealanders. The appropriate use of medications is crucial in managing depression. Older people are more likely to have adverse effects to medications due to age-related factors.

Daphne’s goal was to investigate the appropriateness of prescribed medications and alternative/complementary medicines used by a group of older depressed people.

Result:  

The study enrolled 190 older people living in the community. Daphne categorised the medicines used, evaluated their appropriateness and described the pattern of over–the–counter medicines and herbals used by this population.

Daphne’s project is part of an ongoing study in the School of Pharmacy in Auckland.  Valuable information has been collated from 176 individuals over the age of 75 years who were suffering from depression.  Each was interviewed about the medications which they were currently prescribed.  The majority were taking more than five different medications.  32.4% of those in the study were being treated with at least one potentially inappropriate medication.  Her work has provided data for the continuation of the study which is working towards assuring that older patients receive safe and effective medications. 

Aims and Objectives:

Older people in New Zealand form significant and growing proportion of the country’s population. As people grow older they can become more isolated, excluded and disconnected from the local communities in which they live. A recent survey of randomly selected households in Glen Innes identified the needs of older people as a top priority. Recent census data showed that this population is more ethnically diverse than New Zealand as a whole, and is in a state of change, experiencing a net loss of older people between 1996 and 2001.

Sophie wanted to specifically identify the social, economic and health-related needs of older people in Glen Innes and to help them find ways to meet these needs. She interviewed older people and a questionnaire was developed to obtain their views on the needs of older people, and measures taken to enhance accessibility to services.

Result:

Sophie’s project was an excellent example of research being translated into action to benefit the older community.  At the end of her project, she not only gave a public feedback presentation, but also by inviting a representative from the Auckland City Council, was able to make her report and the comments of the community into a valuable and timely submission to the Council’s Positive Ageing Strategy.  Her Supervisor reported that there has been a great deal of positive feedback from members of the local community on the report and its findings.  Sophie also prepared a Directory of Community Contacts and services to connect older people in Glen Innes to people that can help them.  Her project has created an example method for future consultation work with older people in New
Zealand.

2005 - 2006 Summer Students

The Foundation is committed to stimulating research interest in young undergraduates and supports two students each year from the The University of Auckland.Nancy Liu and Aaron Wong who are studying for a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science will each receive $4,000 to work on their research projects during the 2005-2006 summer vacation.

Nancy Liu Cataracts Nancy aims to develop strategies to delay or prevent the onset of cataracts without the need for surgical treatment. She will be working with Associate-Professor Paul Donaldson in the Department of Physiology.

Aaron Wong Degeneration in Brain Function Aaron ’s project relates to degeneration in brain function,which contributes to lack of independence,and consequent reduced quality of life in some older persons. He will conduct this project in association with Dr Jian Guan of The Liggins Institute.

2004 - 2005 Summer Students

Aims and Objectives

Joanne aimed to improve understanding of brain damage following stroke which is initiated by excess calcium and sodium ions entering into brain cells.  The research looked at new ways to limit neuronal cell death and hence limit brain damage.  Stroke is the third largest cause of death in this country.  Considering that the risk of stroke doubles for every decade of life after the age of 55, this equates to a one in eight chance of suffering a stroke in a lifetime. 

Aims and Objectives:

Emma sought to increase understanding of how normal cartilage behaves and how it becomes impaired in osteoarthritis.  This disease affects many elderly New Zealanders with pain and loss of function and significantly affects their quality of life. More than 65% of women and 45% of men will become disabled through the disease.

2003 - 2004 Summer Students

Aims and Objectives: 

To undertake a survey of 'organisational culture' in eight rest homes in the Auckland area with a view to determining how the culture affects the welfare of residents. By 'organisational culture' is meant the underlying philosophies of the homes (as articulated by nurses and administrators), how they are organised and administered, to what extent the residents are encouraged to participate in decision-making, and the extent to which the environment of the home is geared to independence.

Previous studies have suggested that the culture, values and beliefs of an organisation may influence its performance. (Example: if the staff believe strongly in residents remaining as independent as possible, then residents in such a home should be demonstrably less dependent than those elsewhere who are not encouraged to maintain their mobility and independence.) This study involves interviewing both staff members and residents using a prepared questionnaire, and evaluating the health outcomes for the residents.

Aims and Objectives:

Much of the built environment has been built without regard for the needs of all users. As a result, there are many 'barriers' affecting the safe and easy access of older people and people with disabilities to buildings and public transport. These may have a detrimental effect on them when they deter them from accessing important venues (e.g. visiting their family doctor).

The study aims to examine how (town) planners can more effectively reduce the barriers to access. It will identify examples of good practice both in New Zealand and abroad, and seek to discover what the impediments are to implementing policies that will improve access and thus allow full participation in community life for older people and those with disabilities.

HOPE-sponsored Research studentship

Report:

The brains of people affected by Alzheimer's disease develop a number of abnormalities. Prominent among them is the accumulation of a protein called b Amyloid. This protein is thought to be toxic to brain cells, causing them to die.

The research conducted by this student was part of a larger project initiated by Dr. Snell and colleagues to culture (grow) brain cells that had the genetic propensity to accumulate abnormal amounts of b amyloid in the laboratory. The hope is that such cultures will enhance the testing of drugs that might counteract b amyloid and thus prevent cell death. Basic to such research is the need to be able to insert genetic material (DNA) that over-produces b amyloid into the cultured cells and to detect that the DNA has actually been successfully transferred into the cells.

The student's contribution was in the preparation of DNA in such a way as to enhance its uptake by the nuclei of the cells using the cells' own nuclear localization signals. A variant of this technique had been tried once previously.

The complex procedures involved in preparing the DNA for transfer, and inserting it into the brain cells (a procedure known as 'transfection') appeared to work quite well. However, because the research team was not satisfied with the efficiency of the process, or their ability, using a green fluorescent protein marker, to accurately quantify the amount of DNA taken up by the cell nuclei, they will be modifying aspects of the methodology in future experiments.

Report:

Certain forms of hearing loss that affect many older people are thought to be due to changes in blood flow in the extremely small arteries that supply the cochlear organ in the inner ear. Conditions such as Meniere's disease (deafness and dizziness) and sudden hearing loss are probably due to such changes. There is not yet a lot known about the control of blood flow to the cochlea. Professor Thorne's group has been attempting to learn more about these mechanisms for several years.

They had previously shown that a form of activated phosphate known as ATP appears to play a role in cochlear blood flow modulation when injected into the cochlear fluids or blood vessels supplying the cochlea. Such an effect would imply that the artery supplying the cochlea (the modiolar artery) has specialised receptors in its walls to which circulating ATP can bind. Once bound, the ATP could dilate or constrict the artery.

The purpose of the research project supported by the Foundation was to attempt to discover if the main artery supplying the cochlea - the modiolar artery- actually has such receptors for ATP within its structure.

The student researcher successfully learned a number of very difficult techniques in pursuing the project. Notably, she was able demonstrate the presence of receptor units in the cochlear vessels and locate their presence in the smooth muscle of the arterial wall. She was also able to show that the vessels contain enzymes that are probably responsible for regulating the plasma levels of ATP. Professor Thorne said that these are important findings that implicate ATP as a regulator of cochlear blood flow.

Professor Thorne expects the outcome of this research to be eventually published in a biomedical journal.