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Current Research

Nutrition  – Currently Recruiting

Researchers at the University of Auckland are conducting a survey to understand more about the nutrition-related needs, experiences and future research priorities from individuals with hypermobile EDS and hypermobility spectrum disorders (hEDS/HSD). 

You can take part in this anonymous, online survey if you;
Are aged 16 years or older
Have diagnosed OR suspected hEDS/HSD.  

The online survey is expected to take about 20 minutes of your time. If you participate in the study, you have the option of going in a draw to win one of 20 x $50 vouchers. Your participation also contributes towards research aimed at developing nutrition strategies to support people with hEDS/HSD in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Click the link below for more information and to access the survey. https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eX2sGvcW5CMJCse 

Please contact Dr Nicola Gillies (lead researcher) n.gillies@auckland.ac.nz or Amara Dawson (student researcher) at adaw739@aucklanduni.ac.nz, if you have any questions about the study or what is involved.

This study has been approved by the University of Auckland Health Research Committee for three years on 09/07/25, reference number AH29681. 

 

Neurodivergent & Ehlers-danlos – Currently Recruiting
Want to talk about your ordinary and everyday experiences?

Diagnosed EDS (any type) AND ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Condition?
Aged 30-50?
Speak English and live in NZ?

Up for a one-to-two hour one-on-one interview to chat about your ordinary and everyday life with these diagnoses?

Email me for more information: Tina.Peters3@massey.ac.nz

POTS Research – Currently recruiting
In Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), the heart rate increases excessively with standing, often as a response to the shift of blood into the legs because of gravity. POTS can have a big impact on everyday life, but we do not understand what causes it. Individuals with POTS often experience blood pooling in the legs, which is thought to occur because of abnormal tightening or abnormal stretchiness of the blood vessels on standing. However, the mechanism underlying this remains unclear. The aim of this project is to investigate the blood vessel structure, function, and regulation in people with POTS and people without POTS. The data will also be used to make computer models of the cardiovascular system to better understand mechanisms of standing. It is hoped that our work will provide insight to the mechanisms underlying POTS which may help improve and personalise treatments for patients.

Eligibility criteria
• People clinically diagnosed with POTS
• People without POTS
• Aged 18+
• BMI between 18-35 kg/m2
• must be able to visit the lab in Auckland What will your participation involve Three visits
• A screening, consenting and familiarisation visit (1 hour)
• Experimental visit one (2 hours)
• Experimental visit two (2 hours) (Note: We aren’t currently conducting this visit, but you may be invited back at a later time) Experimental procedures
• We will measure heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and brain blood flow while resting and standing
• We will do an ultrasound of the veins in your leg and an artery in your neck
• We will get you to do some tasks to assess your autonomic nervous system

For your time, we will give you a $50 Woolworths voucher for each experimental visit. If you are interested in participating in this study, email me on Greer.pugh@auckland.ac.nz

This study was approved by the health and disability ethics committee (2023 19246) and is registered in the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZTC).

You can also read Greers story to research here  – https://www.medicalresearch.org.nz/post/from-patient-to-medical-researcher-understanding-standing-in-pots

Our Team

Dr Sharon Crooks – Massey University
I am a psychology lecturer with an interest in supervising postgraduate projects exploring the intersection of EDS and neurodivergence. I have an Hons student exploring ordinary and everyday experiences of adults with a diagnosis of EDS and ADHD and/or Autism and have a PhD student exploring the experiences of young adult women with ADHD and comorbid medical conditions including EDS.

Rachel Sumner – University of Auckland

Dr Nicola Gillies – University of Auckland
Nicola is a NZ Registered Dietitian and Lecturer in the Nutrition Department, FMHS. Nicola leads a research program investigating the role of diet in gut and mental health, and she is interested in using participatory action and co-design research methodologies to enhance health and equity outcomes in Aotearoa. Nicola’s current research projects seek to understand the role of diet in supporting the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young people with mental health concerns, disorders of gut-brain interactions and mental health disorders, menopause, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Nicola also has an interest in sustainable dietary patterns and their intersect with mental health, and is a member of OraTaiao (The Aotearoa New Zealand Health and Climate Council). Nicola has a network of national and international collaborators, and is happy to connect with others working in similar areas or with those interested in inter- or transdisciplinary research collaborations. 

Dr David Musson – University of Auckland
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Nutrition, New Zealand

Dr Natalia Boven – University of Auckland
I am a postdoctoral research fellow at Compass Research Centre. My research uses linked administrative, Census and survey data accessed through the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). I am particularly interested in research that i) uses linked data to understand health and other inequities, and ii) research into healthcare delivery for people living with complex chronic illnesses and other understudied conditions.   

Dr Leigh O’Brien  – University of Auckland
Amara Dawson – University of Auckland
MHSc Dietetics student

Greer Pugh – University of Auckland
Greer is a Physiology PhD candidate in the Human Cardiorespiratory Physiology Group under the supervision of Associate Professor James Fisher. Her research focuses on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She is also interested in how connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), affect vascular function and circulatory control mechanisms in POTS. Greer’s PhD work specifically explores
venous function, vascular sympathetic transduction, and autonomic regulation in patients with POTS. By combining experimental physiology with her personal experience with POTS, she brings a unique perspective to her research and to POTS patient communities. In addition to her academic work, Greer is involved in science communication and advocacy
within the New Zealand POTS and EDS communities. She is dedicated to raising awareness, helping patients better understand their condition, and promoting further research into POTS and related disorders.

Research currently closed for participants