Michaela is a wāhine takatāpui emerging researcher from Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti Maru. Her research is focused on advancing hauora, general health, and contributing better outcomes for all people in Aotearoa. Her background is in quantitative behavioural neuroscience, although she has shifted into the public health and wellbeing space, with work on the Adolescent Friendships and Lifestyle project https://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/publichealth/research/afl-study.html