Fiji Heart Study
A world-first genetic study of premature coronary artery disease for Peoples of Fiji.
Community Advisory Group
The Community Advisory Group have committed to providing cultural oversight to ensure the study integrates the core values unique to Peoples of Fiji in the study design and develops culturally appropriate and sensitive content for engaging with participants in Aotearoa. This group will meet at least 4 times a year for the duration of the study and is available for pastoral support for participants and their whānau throughout the study also.
Chair
Sandhaya (Sandy) Bhawan
B.Pharm (Hons), PGCertPhcy, RegPharmNZ, FPS
Sandy Bhawan, Chair of the Fiji Heart Study Community Advisory Group, is of Girmit ancestry and was designated a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand in 2018 for her outstanding contributions to the pharmacy profession. With extensive experience in pharmacy and leadership across New Zealand's healthcare sector, Sandy is known for her strategic vision, positivity and commitment to compassion and empathy.
Secretary
Iva Vakalalabure
BMLS, MSc (ClinImm)
Iva Vakalalabure, of i-Taukei and Cook Island descent, is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Otago Wellington and her research focus includes acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Iva serves as the Secretary for the Fiji Heart Study and is passionate about global health issues. For Iva this study is a welcome eye-opening experience and she hopes her past leadership experience and health expertise will contribute positively to this important work.
Member
Jennifer (Jenny) Khan-Janif
MHumRights, MNZM
Jenny Khan-Janif, is an esteemed member of the Fiji Heart Study Community Advisory Group, of Girmit and Melanesian descent, and renowned for her services to refugee and migrant communities. Since migrating to New Zealand in 1989, she has worked in various roles supporting community development, identity, and early intervention programs. Jenny co-founded the Umma Trust and serves on multiple advisory boards, significantly contributing to social justice and race relations.
Member
Shereen Naicker
M.B.A.
Shereen Naicker, is an esteemed member of the Fiji Heart Study Community Advisory Group, of Girmit descent and a Strategic Adviser in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Otago, with extensive experience in business and finance management. She completed her undergraduate studies in Fiji and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Canterbury. Shereen is a passionate advocate for community health, committed to promoting health and well-being for the People of Fiji.
Member
Serena Lal
BHSc (Hons), M.P.H.
Serena Lal (she/her) is a community leader and social innovator of Girmit descent. As CEO of Kites Trust, she delivers lived experience-led services for Tangata Whai ora, upholding their dignity and voices. Serena is also the Co-founder of IndigiShare and Managing Director of Seva Colab, focusing on innovative justice and equity-led solutions. An esteemed member of the Fiji Heart Study Community Advisory Group, Serena's expertise informs the accessibility and user experience of the study. She is committed to co-design, partnership, anti-racism, lived experience leadership, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A first-generation Fijian Indian immigrant, Serena mobilises Tauiwi to be effective Tangata Tiriti partners. Her career spans start-ups, health, co-design, youth development, and governance. Trained in Public Health and is an experienced Service Designer, her transdisciplinary work shapes her impactful leadership.
Clinicians
Dr. Pranesh Jogia
MBChB, FRACP, FCICM, FCSANZ
Dr. Pranesh Jogia is a Cardiologist and Intensive Care Specialist at Waikato Hospital. He holds an MBChB and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP), the College of Intensive Care Medicine (FCICM), and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (FCSANZ). Growing up in Hamilton, Dr. Jogia is dedicated to providing world-class cardiac care to the Waikato region. His subspecialty interests include critically ill cardiac patients and cardiac imaging. He is also a proud member of the Heart Trust and provides expertise in clinical cardiovascular medicine as part of the Fiji Heart Study team.
Dr. Sudish Lal
FRACP, FCSANZ, MBChB, BPharm
Dr. Sudish Lal is a distinguished Cardiologist with extensive experience in cardiovascular care. Holding an MBChB from the University of Otago and Fellowship in echocardiography/structural imaging from University of British Columbia, he is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP), and Fellow of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Dr. Lal has a special interest in coronary artery disease, heart failure/cardiomyopathies, and valvular heart disease including imaging for structural intervention. He has experience in clinical research from the Division of Cardiology at St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver.
Dr. Rahul Gandhi
MBChB, MPH, MBA, DTMH
Dr. Rahul Gandhi is a Cardiology Advanced Trainee at the Wellington Heart and Lung Unit, Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley and provides expertise in cardiovascular medicine in his advisory role for the Fiji Heart Study. He holds an MBA from Oxford and an MPH from Harvard, is a former Innovation Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, and passionate about eliminating health inequities for marginalised groups.
Researchers
Dr Pritika Narayan
Ph.D.
Dr. Narayan is a Heart Foundation Research Fellow and leads the Fiji Heart Study, at the University of Otago, Wellington. Her research uses co-design and genetics to advance our understanding of the genetic drivers responsible for the high burden of premature heart disease for Peoples of Fiji. Pritika was born in Fiji, is of Girmit-ancestry and committed to improving heart health equity for migrant and Pacific groups.
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Dr. Gemma Poke
Clinical Geneticist
Dr. Gemma Poke is a Clinical Geneticist at Capital & Coast District Health Board, Wellington, and works for the Genetic Health Service New Zealand. She specializes in medical genetics and serves on the genetics service incidental findings review committee. Trained in Brisbane and Edinburgh, she has been working in Wellington since 2013. Her expertise and dedication make her an asset in the field of clinical genetics. Dr. Poke will advise on the reporting of clinically actionable findings in the Fiji Heart Study.
Dr. Allamanda Faatoese
Ph.D.
Dr. Allamanda Faatoese is an expert in cardiovascular genetics research, particularly within Pasifika communities. She leads the Pasifika Heart Study in Christchurch and focuses on cardiovascular risk factors, including circulating markers, genetics, and epigenetics. Dr. Faatoese is a guardian of indigenous genomes (some from Fiji) and manages safe access and use of this precious resource for the Fiji Heart Study. Dr Faatoese also mentors and supports Pritika in these aspects of the study.
Ben Te Aika
Kaiwhakatere Rakahau Māori – Māori Research Partnerships Manager
Based at the University of Otago, Ben Te Aika is the Māori and Moriori Research Partnerships Manager and supports researchers in integrating mātauranga Māori and adhering to research guidelines such as Te Ara Tika, Te Mata Ira, and He Tangata Kei Tua. A key aspect of his role is managing data in a way that respects and acknowledges Māori cultural values and concepts and ensures the protection of whakapapa in health and genetics research. As Pukenga, Ben provides regular support, korero and advice to Pritika, to deepen understanding of tikanga, Māori data sovereignty and foster equity and support for vulnerable communities through the "tikaka of manāki takata".
Professor Stephen Robertson
MBChB, FRACP DPhil (Oxon)
Professor Stephen Robertson is the Curekids Professor of Paediatric Genetics at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand. Professor Robertson is an active clinician across the South Island and teaches genetics to science and medical students. His research which focuses on the discovery and application of clinically implementable genomic science involves global collaborations with scientists and clinicians. In 2010, he was awarded the Health Research Council’s Liley Medal for outstanding contributions to medical research and in 2022 he was awarded the Royal Society of New Zealand Hercus Medal. He is an expert advisor on the Fiji Heart Study.
Professor Klaus Lehnert
Ph.D.
Professor Klaus Lehnert is a geneticist and biological data expert at the University of Auckland. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms through which genetic variations cause disease. By applying computational analysis to large and complex data sets, he identifies and prioritises candidate genetic variations for functional testing. His role in the Fiji Heart Study is to contextualise candidate variants involved in the causation of premature coronary artery disease (CAD).
Professor Russell Snell
Ph.D.
Professor Russell Snell is a pioneering geneticist with a long-term interest in identifying genetic markers that cause human disease, and his research focuses on how these genes are inherited. Professor Snell's research uses genetic tools, including whole genome sequencing, to uncover disease mechanisms and develop effective therapies.
Professor Analabha Basu
Ph.D.
Professor Analabha Basu specializes in statistical and theoretical modelling to understand human population structure, migration patterns, and genetic diversity. His research aims to connect genotype with phenotype and develop new statistical methods to gain insights into biological data. Prof. Basu is a guardian of indigenous genomes (from North and South Indian participants, from regions where Girmit populations originate from) and manages safe access and use of this precious resource for the Fiji Heart Study. He provides expertise in developing the theoretical modelling component of this project.
Associate Professor Peter Larsen
Ph.D.
Associate Professor Larsen leads the cardiovascular research group at the University of Otago, Wellington. His research focuses on clinical cardiovascular medicine, including biomarkers in risk stratification, acute myocardial infarction, and personalised clinical care. He provides academic support and mentoring to the project lead.
Who do I contact for more information or if I have concerns?
For any questions, concerns, feedback or complaints about the study at any stage, please contact:
Project Lead
Dr Pritika Narayan
Community Advisory Group Chair
Sandhaya Bhawan
Head of Department
A/Prof Peter Larsen
To request Māori Health support, patients can contact services by location:
You can also contact:
An independent health and disability advocate
Phone: 0800 555 050
Health and disability ethics committee (HDEC)
Phone: 0800 400 569 (Ministry of Health general enquiries)
