Diane Karen Ormsby

I am a Developmental Biologist, with almost a decade of experience working in a Human Reproductive Technology (in vitro Fertilization) Clinic. I gained my PhD at Victoria, University of Wellington, New Zealand. One focus of my research is research related to reproduction. Working with colleagues from several different groups, I have published on human mate selection and sex ratios of children born in Australia and New Zealand. My current research in this area has a focus on reproduction in tuatara, specifically looking at tuatara sperm. I currently co-supervise a PhD student (Sarah Lamar). A new area of research collaboration with the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Wellington Hospital began in 2021, assessing osmolality of breast milk, and I am currently supervising Kerstin Thornton in her MSc project.

All tertiary institutions in New Zealand are required to develop a Graduate Profile comprised of a set of graduate attributes. These attributes are mapped to course content and assessment. On graduation, students should be able to identify these attributes in themselves. An employability skills survey in 2015 of over 1300 employers ranked verbal and written communication, critical thinking and problem solving in the top 10 most desired attribute in new graduates and students. However, research shows that students may not be aware of an institution’s graduate attributes, nor the connections and relevance to themselves and their learning. In addition, students may lack tools for demonstration of examples of these attributes when seeking employment. An additional focus of my research examines these issues and looks for solutions which inform how I teach.