Rate My Professor Emma Vlasiuk

Dr Emma Vlasiuk is a Research Fellow in the Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science at the University of Otago, Christchurch, and a member of the Nutrition in Medicine Research Group. She obtained her BSc, BBiomedSc(Hons), and PhD from the University of Otago. Her PhD research investigated the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties of natural compounds, particularly isothiocyanates targeting cancer cells overexpressing Bcl-2, and disrupting mitochondrial function in cancer cells. She presented this work at the University of Otago Christchurch Health Research Open Day in September 2016. Emma chose Otago for her postgraduate biomedical studies, finding it the perfect fit.

In her current position, Dr Vlasiuk leads clinical studies examining the bioavailability and potential health effects of vitamin C, with a focus on its roles in infection, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Her research assesses vitamin C status and interventions in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, critically ill septic shock, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, severe respiratory infections, and skin health. Key publications include: Vlasiuk, E., et al. (2024). 'SunGold Kiwifruit Consumption Restores Adequate to Optimal Vitamin C Status in People with a History of Severe Respiratory Infections.' Antioxidants, 13(3), 272; Vlasiuk, E., et al. (2024). 'A High Vitamin C Micronutrient Supplement Is Unable to Attenuate Inflammation in People with Metabolic Syndrome but May Improve Metabolic Health Indices: A Randomised Controlled Trial.' Antioxidants, 13(4), 404; Carr, A.C., et al. (2024). 'Understanding the Additional Impact of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Vitamin C Requirements in People Living with Obesity.' Nutrition Research, 130, 1-10; Crequer, N., et al. (2025). 'Clustering of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Hospitalised Adults in the Christchurch Region: Association with Socio-Economic Deprivation.' New Zealand Medical Journal, 138(1617), 85-99; Pullar, J.M., et al. (2025). 'Improved Human Skin Vitamin C Levels and Skin Function Following Dietary Intake of Kiwifruit: A High Vitamin C Food.' Journal of Investigative Dermatology (advance online). Earlier contributions cover elevated oxidative stress in septic patients, low vitamin C in pneumonia patients, neutrophil vitamin C uptake, and protein carbonyls in sepsis. Dr Vlasiuk collaborates on randomised controlled trials with Professor Anitra Carr, advancing nutritional strategies for clinical outcomes.