Rate My Professor Kaiah Bloor

Kaiah Bloor serves as Kaiārahi Pūtaiao in the Division of Sciences at the University of Otago. Ko Taranaki te maunga, Ko Waiaua te awa, Ko Kurahaupo te waka, Ko Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine ngā iwi, Ko Ngāti Tara te hapū, Ko Orimupiko te marae. Nō Ōpunake ahau, Ko Ratahi tōku whānau, Ko Kaiah Bloor tōku ingoa. Originally from Auroa and Ōpunake in Taranaki, Bloor whakapapa to Taranaki iwi. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Pharmacology. In her final year of study, she was Tumuaki (president) of Te Rōpū Pūtaiao, the Māori Science students' association. Through this leadership role, she developed a strong understanding of the complexities faced by Māori students in science disciplines and the types of support they require to thrive. Her studies in Chemistry provided her with unique problem-solving skills, a solid foundation in critical thinking, and experience in collaboration.

Following graduation, Bloor received a Health Research Council Māori Health Summer Studentship valued at $7,500 for her project on the chemical synthesis of novel antimicrobial compounds. This initiative focused on synthesizing analogues for antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens, addressing equitable health outcomes for Māori, who are disproportionately represented in New Zealand's healthcare system. This experience led to her role as Assistant Research Fellow in the Chemistry Department at Ōtakau Whakaihu Waka. Transitioning to university staff deepened her appreciation for the supportive community at Otago. In June 2025, she began as Kaiārahi Pūtaiao in the Division of Sciences on a part-time basis, with a transition to full-time planned for December. In this position, she supports tauira Māori in achieving academic success, particularly in the sciences, and fosters a Māori community within the division, bringing her recent student and research experiences to offer fresh perspectives.