University of Tokyo students and lecturers visit PNGIMR | INDEPTH centralised data sharing system workshop in Bangkok | Madang IMR team acccelerate colloquium fundraising | Madang couple farewelled | This quater in pictures | New staff | Mothers doing their best for their kids
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NEW STAFF

GORDAN WARVI

Gordon Warvi comes from East New Britain Province and he is a Data Manager in IMR Madang.

He is responsible for the management of research data for the ‘Severe malaria in PNG children’ study and also the ‘Pathogenesis of Malaria in Pregnancy’ study.

Gordon completed his Degree in Information Technology at the PNG University of Technology and was previously employed by Biz Software Solutions in Lae, before coming to IMR.

“The unit is continuously filled with data collection, which is pretty much routine throughout the week. However, occasionally, there are a few hiccups that interrupt the daily routine,” he said.

Gordan says that IMR is important to PNG however it lacks sufficient recognition and support from the government for the work that it has done.

“PNGIMR is certainly an interesting place to work in and I enjoy working with staff here, whether it is collaborating with the study coordinators, Data Management Unit staff or staff in other sections here at our Madang site… I hope to see myself continuing here as the senior data manager collaborating and assisting study coordinators and researchers in improving projects, especially with regards too data collection and retrieval. I would also like to implement an open source database system which is accessible via the web and will help to reduce IMR expenses in software licensing."

Wanda Jack originates from Madang Province and she is a Field Nurse at IMR Madang.

Her job is to do physical examinations on study participants.

Wanda completed her studies at the Gaubin School of Nursing as a Community Health worker and was previously attached with the Department of health in Madang before joining IMR.

Wanda is now attached with the Vector Borne Diseases International Collaborative Infectious Diseases Research (ICIDR), CWRU.

“I don’t know much about Filariasis, since joining ICIDR, I now have a fair idea about the disease. I hope to learn more about new techniques in the future in eliminating the disease,” she said.

Danga is a Graduate Scientific Officer attached with the Immunology Unit at the PNGIMR branch in Madang.

She joined the institute in October, 2007.

Danga completed her studies at the University of Papua New Guinea.

She got a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry and was working with ‘Partners with Melanesians’ before joining the Institute.

When asked about her future in IMR she said that only God knows and she will remain optimistic and do whatever is required of her.

“PNGIMR is the best (of its kind) there is in the country. The immunology lab is busy all week with samples coming from the field every day,” said Danga.

HEATHER HUAUPE

Heather Huaupe is part Gulf and West Sepik (Sundaun) Province.

She attended the University of Papua New Guinea and graduated with a Bachelor in Science Degree in Biochemistry.

She is now a Graduate Scientific Officer in the Immunology Unit, attached with the IPTI study in Madang.

Heather previously worked with the University of Papua New Guinea’s Biology Department (Zoological Collections) before joining IMR.

She joined IMR to pursue a career in medical research and to help the people of PNG.

Heather thinks of PNGIMR as an Institution that is credible for its scientific research, and research which is helpful to PNG and the world.

Glenda Yakuna is 26 years old and comes from Wewak, East Sepik Province.

She graduated from Divine Word University with a degree in Health Management and was working with ‘Save the children’ in Wewak before joining the IMR in November 2006.

Glenda is now the Graduate Project Manager with the IMR branch in Maprik and attached to the Vector Borne Disease Unit and coordinates the P. Vivax study at Ilahita, Maprik.

She joined IMR because she had always been interested in the Institute’s work and that it is a medical institution, which falls in her line of study.

Glenda says that PNGIMR is a great institution and the backbone of the health Department. She said the studies that are conducted in the institute are life saving and that PNGIMR provides its employees with benefits such as accommodation and other logistic support.

“I want to become someone resourceful and be in a better position to influence decision making regarding resource utilisation of IMR projects in the future,” she said.

Douglas Diave comes from the East New Britain Province and he is the new Communications Officer attached with the Library and Communications Department at the IMR headquarters in Goroka.

Douglas graduated from the University of PNG with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physics; Electronics and Computing.

Douglas was previously working with the Helifix Investments Limited in Port Moresby before joining the Institute in November 2007.

He is responsible for the maintenance and further development of the PNGIMR website.

“I see myself as a tool to further publicise PNGIMR throughout PNG and the world,” he said.