Synthia Dash

I provide research assistance and project support to the research and evaluation, and Le Va teams. As a member of the business development  team, I manage the database of New Zealand mental health research, which includes adding and promoting new research as well as completing literature searches and summaries as requested. I also support Le Va with its disability and scholarship work as well as other Le Va projects as needed, such as the Le Va national conference.

I'm a University of Auckland graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate (Public Health) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology). I have over five years' work experience in the mental health and addiction sector in roles of research assistant, field interviewer and project support. My previous work experience includes research assistant roles for The Clinical Research and Resource Centre within Waitemata District Health Board and The Clinical Trials Research Unit for the University of Auckland. I have also been a field interviewer for The Massey University SHORE Illicit Drug Monitoring Study and for the University of Auckland Growing Up in New Zealand Project.

Whilst currently working for Te Pou/Le Va, I'm a current University of Auckland Maori/Pacific Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health. I am also a mentor for the Pacific Medical Association-Students are Our Future Mentoring Programme.

This quote  sums up my professional and personal journey in the area of mental health and addiction to date.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." (Martin Luther King, Jr)