We are delighted to welcome Oxana Hart to Dragonfly Data Science! She brings a background that spans economics, human resources, and statistics, with a growing focus on fisheries science.
Oxana first studied economic cybernetics in Ukraine, a discipline combining business and mathematical modelling. Her early career took her into HR roles at global companies including Nike, Shell, and the World Bank Group, where she worked in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Belgium, and Hong Kong.
“After a decade in HR, I realised I wanted to make a more direct contribution to the future,” Oxana says. “Having children really changes your perspective. When my kids grow up, I want to be able to tell them I was part of something that really mattered, beyond being a cog in a large corporate machine.”
That desire led her back to her love of maths and science.
A chance introduction to a professor at Victoria University nudged her towards statistics, and she went on to complete a graduate diploma in Science.
Following this, as she sought out a career path that could be equal parts purpose-driven and intellectually stimulating, Oxana then completed a Masters in Statistics that focused on fisheries science, supported by the Fisheries New Zealand and Earth Sciences New Zealand (previously NIWA) scholarship.
“I’d never really considered fisheries before,” she says. “But I loved that the work had both depth and purpose. Good science helps decision-makers look after ecosystems - including the marine environment my children will inherit. That felt meaningful in a way my previous work hadn’t.”
Her research focused on combining rigorous statistics with learning about marine ecosystems, which saw fisheries science really emerge as an area of interest. It was during her studies that Oxana first encountered Dragonfly, when director and fisheries scientist Dr Phil Neubauer guest-lectured in one of her classes.
“I could see that Dragonfly was a place where applied science really makes a difference. I was drawn to the way the team approached projects with both creativity and precision, and thought to myself, that’s exactly the kind of place where I want to work. I feel very fortunate that this aspiration has become a reality!”
Although she is new to applied science in a professional context, Oxana is looking forward to learning from her colleagues.
“I feel humbled to work alongside such an experienced and passionate team. I’m excited to contribute, keep developing my skills, and apply them in ways that are meaningful for the environment and society.”