Melissa Martel is a Research Specialist Radiation Therapist at Te Toka Tumai, Auckland City Hospital. Originally trained in Canada, Melissa honed her skills in Ontario and Quebec before finding an new home in Aotearoa, NZ. Passionate about process improvement and patient care, she’s always been eager to dive into new initiatives and projects. Since stepping into a research position in 2021, Melissa has had a whirlwind of activity, collaborating with the wider cancer and blood research team in opening numerous studies, bridging communication across both departments, and shinning a spotlight on research activities throughout the radiation therapy service. When she’s away from the hospital, you’ll find Melissa outside, riding her bike, camping, or playing a spirited game of ultimate frisbee.