About Us

Our Story
Chiasma is a national New Zealand organization that creates links between academia and the wider science, technology and engineering (STEM) industries.
Our mission is to inspire and help our members to develop a successful career in the STEM industry by providing them with the necessary skills, networks and mindset.
In turn, these innovative, well connected and commercially aware graduates will contribute to the growth of New Zealand’s knowledge based economy.
Our History
Chiasma was launched in September 2004 by Priv Bradoo, Swati Sharma and Daniel Sun, three PhD students in the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. Since then, Chiasma has grown into a thriving organisation, with branches in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin and boasts over 3500 student and industry members. Each centre runs their own flavour of networking events, workshops, panel discussions, mentorship programmes and site visits tailored towards the local students and industry.

Development
We are the premier organization for student professional development and networking
Connections
We bridge the gap between STEM students, academia and business
Entrepreneurship
We foster entrepreneurship and innovation in young scientists

How we work?
Chiasma is a registered charity with four regional centres which are supported by a National Team.
Each centre is run by their own student-led Chiasma Committee. Each committee is made up of business savvy, entrepreneurial and connected students who are passionate about the STEM industries. The Chiasma Alumni Board provides oversight and advice to the regional centres and national team.
For more information about our regional centres including events and their teams see their respective pages.
National Team
Chiasma’s National team connects our centres and administers – the legal and financial side of the organisation. Our National Team takes the lead on Industry, Alumni, Marketing, Content and Systems providing resources and guidance to our regional centres. We typically recruit for our National team at the start of each year.
Keep up to date with our National Team and Chiasma news by following our Linkedin.

Bridget Lamont
National General Manager
Lillian Kuan
Treasurer & AdvisorCurrent Purchasing & Finance Officer at WOOP

Palak Shrivastava
National Marketing Manager
Natasha Tan
National Industry Manager
Darrell Smith
National Systems Manager
Abhisek Agravat
National Contents Manager
Mahdieh Abedian
National Alumni ManagerAlumni
Chiasma has a proud history of engaging passionate and talented students to volunteer in our regional branches or national team. These students go on to work in incredible roles and contribute significantly to STEM in Aotearoa and the world. If you’ve been a part of Chiasma previously make sure to join our Facebook and Linkedin groups to engage with other team mates. Interested in seeing where Chiasma can take you – check out our blog for some inspiring profile pieces!
Stay in touch with team mates in our official Alumni Linkedin Group
Connect with friends and engage with our Alumni group on Facebook
Alumni Board

Ipshita Mandal-Johnson
2010 Auckland COOCurrent Founding Partner & CEO at Global Bio Fund

Lillian Kaun
Current Purchasing & Finance Officer at WOOP
Dil Khosa
2011 Auckland Secretary & TreasurerCurrent Advisor & Ops, People & Culture Lead at Narrative Muse

Carthur Wan
2009 Auckland CEOCurrent Sr Consultant at CIS & Director at GBR

Summer Park
2014 Auckland CEOCurrent Senior Business Development Director at PharmaVentures

Dominique Squires-Newby
2015 Auckland CEOCurrent Advisory Consultant at EY

James Daniell
2012 Auckland CEOCurrent Manager of Computational Modeling & Design at LanzaTech

Mythreyi Ragavan
2007 Auckland Events LeadCurrent GM Corporate & Digital Strategy at BNZ

Kaushala Ratnayake
2016 Auckland COOCurrent Head of Strategy at Bauer Media UK

Sebastian Liu
2013 Auckland CEOCurrent Territory Manager at Medtronic UK&I

Rory Besaans
2018 Wellington CEOCurrent Research Technician at Riddet Institute

Vishwa Jani
Board MemberCurrent Project Coordinator at Counties Manukau DHB