Ocular Surface Lab (OSL) Team at Hauora and Rangahau Expo – July 2025
In July 2025, the Ocular Surface Lab Research Team was proud to be part of the Hauora Rangahau Expo Day, held at Rosehill College in South Auckland. Centred around the kaupapa of whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships), the expo brought together researchers and health professionals to connect with tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau.
As an initiative of Iwi United Engaged, an organisation committed to advancing Māori health and wellbeing, the Hauora Rangahau Expo Day aimed to link research to the real health conditions impacting Māori and Pacific communities, while also opening the door for students to explore careers in health research and technology.
The event was energising for both students and the visiting kairangahau (researchers), with over twenty different interactive displays on offer. Aligned with Pae Ora – Healthy Futures, the OSL team introduced rangatahi to eye health through an engaging, hands-on dry eye workup station. Students learned about the structure of the tear film layers and how screen time and environmental factors can affect their eyes. We kept things fun and interactive with a dry eye trivia challenge, offering small prizes for correct answers.
A huge thank you to Rosehill College and the organisers for hosting us. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share, engage, and connect with our tamariki, rangatahi, and their wider whānau.
FEATURED IMAGE – Ocular Surface Lab at Hauora and Rangahau Expo, July 2025
Jordan Cooper, Prof Jennifer Craig, Julie Cullen
(Also present: Dr Kalika Bandamwar, Dr Ally Xue)