Prestigious NZ-UK Scholarship Elevates UC PhD Student's Fight Against Disease Inequities

In a significant boost for health equity research at New Zealand universities, University of Canterbury PhD student Vincent Lomas has been awarded an inaugural Royal Society Te Apārangi NZUK Link Foundation Fellowship. This global scholarship recognizes Lomas' groundbreaking work in mathematical modelling of infectious disease transmission, with a sharp focus on addressing longstanding ethnic disparities experienced by Māori and Pacific communities in Aotearoa.

Lomas, affiliated with Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha, and Kāti Māmoe, brings a unique perspective to his doctoral research in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. Transitioning from mathematical physics, he identified a critical gap during the COVID-19 pandemic: few international models accounted for ethnic inequities in disease spread, and none were tailored to New Zealand's diverse demographics. His PhD project, titled 'Modelling the Interaction between Ethnicity and Infectious Disease Transmission Dynamics,' aims to fill this void by simulating disease outbreaks and recommending targeted interventions for high-risk groups.

Vincent Lomas: From Mathematical Physics to Public Health Advocacy

Vincent Lomas' academic journey exemplifies how New Zealand universities like UC foster interdisciplinary talent. Initially drawn to theoretical physics, Lomas pivoted to applied mathematics when confronted with real-world health challenges. 'I heard about the ethnic inequity present during COVID-19,' he explains, 'and when I looked into models that accounted for this, I found very few internationally and none specific to Aotearoa. I felt that I had to develop these.'

At UC, Lomas employs computational simulations to analyze how socio-demographic factors—such as household structures, social contact patterns, and community interactions—influence disease dynamics. This approach allows policymakers to prioritize resources equitably, potentially saving lives in future outbreaks. His work aligns with UC's commitment to impactful research, positioning the university as a leader in health geography and spatial epidemiology through initiatives like the Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora GeoHealth Laboratory.

The Stark Reality of Infectious Disease Disparities in Aotearoa New Zealand

New Zealand's health landscape reveals persistent inequities, particularly for Māori and Pacific peoples. During the COVID-19 waves, Māori faced 2.5 times higher odds of hospitalization compared to non-Māori, non-Pacific populations, while Pacific groups experienced even steeper risks—up to three times higher. Recent data on rheumatic fever, a preventable disease linked to streptococcal infections, shows rates of 76.7 per 100,000 among Pacific children aged 5-14, far exceeding European rates.

Sepsis hospitalization rates further underscore the divide: Māori incidence is 1.7 times higher, and Pacific 2.3 times higher than non-Māori, non-Pacific, Asian groups. These disparities stem from structural factors like overcrowded housing, limited healthcare access in rural areas, and socioeconomic barriers—issues Lomas' models seek to quantify and mitigate. By incorporating ethnicity-specific transmission parameters, his research promises more precise vaccination campaigns and lockdown strategies tailored to vulnerable communities.

Unpacking the NZUK Link Foundation Fellowship: Empowering Māori Researchers

The NZUK Link Foundation, established in 1990 to foster NZ-UK educational and cultural exchanges, launched these fellowships on its 35th anniversary. Administered by Royal Society Te Apārangi, the program selects two Māori early-career researchers annually to tackle health equity. Lomas shares the honor with Dr. Nicole Edwards from the University of Auckland, whose genomics work addresses Indigenous data gaps in neurological diseases.

This initiative not only funds international travel and training but also builds networks essential for career advancement in New Zealand's higher education sector. For UC, it highlights the university's role in nurturing Māori talent, aligning with national priorities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi for equitable health outcomes.

Photo by Eriksson Luo on Unsplash

International Collaboration: Italy, UK, and Expertise from LSHTM

Lomas' fellowship itinerary exemplifies global higher education partnerships. First, he attends the European Educational Programme in Epidemiology (EEPE) in Italy—a three-week intensive on advanced epidemiological methods. Then, a two-to-three-month placement at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), collaborating with Professor Rosalind Eggo.

Eggo, Professor of Infectious Disease Dynamics at LSHTM's Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, specializes in socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in transmission. Her £1.9 million UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship explores health disparities' links to infection risks across England—directly relevant to Lomas' NZ-focused models. This mentorship will refine his simulations, incorporating cutting-edge techniques like agent-based modelling for heterogeneous populations. Learn more about Prof. Eggo's work.

UC's Robust Support for PhD Research in Health and Equity

University of Canterbury stands out among New Zealand universities for its doctoral scholarships ecosystem. The UC Doctoral Scholarships provide up to $32,000 annually plus fees, with targeted funds like the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation PhD Scholarship for health improvement projects. Lomas' success builds on this, amplified by school-level accolades from Mathematics and Statistics.

UC's GeoHealth Lab complements such efforts, using GIS and spatial epidemiology to map environmental health risks—overlapping with Lomas' transmission models. These resources enable PhD candidates to tackle national challenges, from child wellbeing to pandemic preparedness, fostering a pipeline of equity-focused researchers.

From Models to Policy: Potential Impacts on NZ Public Health

Lomas' simulations could transform Aotearoa's pandemic responses. Traditional models assume homogeneous populations, overlooking how Māori whānau structures or Pacific multigenerational households accelerate spread. By parameterizing these, his tools enable scenario testing: e.g., prioritizing vaccines for high-contact networks or tailoring contact-tracing for cultural contexts.

Recent studies affirm the need: Māori COVID-19 mortality risk was 50% higher than Europeans, driven by comorbidities and access barriers. Lomas envisions his work informing Te Whatu Ora strategies, reducing future burdens on an already strained system. Explore disparities in NZ morbidity.

Community Engagement: Lomas' Public Talk in Christchurch

Before heading overseas, Lomas engages locally at the Research for Children Aotearoa Child Immunisation Research Talks on 28 April 2026 at Te Papa Hauora, Christchurch. Joined by two peers, he'll discuss child health innovations—bridging academia and whānau. Such events underscore UC's outreach, making complex research accessible and relevant to iwi priorities.

Photo by Omkar Kulkarni on Unsplash

Challenges and Future Directions in NZ Health Equity Research

• Data Gaps: Limited ethnicity-stratified surveillance hinders precise modelling.
• Funding Pressures: Amid rising PhD costs, scholarships like NZUK are vital for Māori retention in STEM.
• Interdisciplinary Needs: Blending maths, epi, and cultural knowledge requires university-wide support.
• Policy Translation: Ensuring models influence decisions demands stakeholder buy-in.

UC addresses these via UC Connect Doctoral Scholarships and partnerships, signaling a bright future for equity-driven research at NZ universities.

UC's Broader Role in New Zealand Higher Education Health Research

Beyond Lomas, UC leads with initiatives like the Child Well-being Research Institute scholarships and HealthTech Challenges, spurring student innovations in equity. As NZ's second-ranked university for graduate employability (QS 2026), UC equips researchers for global impact while tackling local inequities—exemplifying higher education's societal duty.

Prospective PhD students eyeing health equity will find UC's ecosystem—labs, scholarships, international ties—unparalleled. For those inspired, explore UC's doctoral opportunities and contribute to a fairer Aotearoa.