After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Christine started work at Massey University in the Department of Microbiology and Genetics. She worked as a teaching technician then became the Culture Curator in charge of Massey University’s Culture Collection which consisted of thousands of bacteria, fungi and viruses. During the investigation of a teaching laboratory session for second year microbiology students, Christine discovered a talent in isolatingCaulobacter species. (Caulobacter is a bacteria that can survive under extreme circumstances and is capable of harbouring plasmids, including those which confer antibiotic resistance.) Caulobacter became Christine’s research topic for her Masters thesis. A few strains are named after her (CDF strains) with their genetic profiles lodged in GENBANK in the USA, for all to access.
After completing her Masters in Microbiology (with Distinction) Christine had three children but stayed within the scientific community by publishing and, becoming co-founder and a contributing scientist to the Nexus Research Group (www.nexusresearchgroup.com).
Christine returned to education and began at WITT teaching part-time and then full-time as Head of Science. Since then she has been Head of Nursing and Health Studies, an Academic Special Projects Officer, Quality Systems Advisor, then Academic and Curriculum Development Advisor for the Faculty of Arts, Commerce and Technology and the Faculty of Health, Humanities and Maori as well as the WITT Research Coordinator. In 2010 she became Acting Head of Faculty of Arts, Commerce and Technology and then Acting Head of Technology after a restructuring of faculty structure.
She still participates in the science community by being the national convener for the NZ Microbiological Society’s special interest group in education where activity is mainly directed at trying to correct microbiological misconceptions within the secondary school system. Christine has completed her PhD with Waikato University as a Doctoral Scholar investigating science study in nursing degrees.
Christine is currently the Academic Director at WITT.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS
Research Publications and Presentations
Books and Monographs
Authorship
Fenton, C. (2010, November). Laboratory manual. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. (2010, November). Theory and achievement standards. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. (2010). Chapter Reviewer Microbiology. Hanson, M., Excellence in Biology: Year 11 NCEA Level 1, Nelson, New Zealand: Cengage Learning.
Journal and Scholarly Publications
Fenton, C. (2009-2010). Reviewer. Articles submitted to Informing Science - The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline.
Fenton, C. (Ed.). (2010, Summer). Te Iarere Wavelength: 4.
Fenton, C. (2010, Summer). Demystifying research. Te Iarere Wavelength: 4. 5-7.
Fenton, C. (Ed.). (2010). Refresh: Connections with the community.
Fenton,C. (2009, December). Microbiologists– for school and country. New Zealand BioScience, 18(4), 6-7.
Fenton, C. (2008, July). Reviewer of articles submitted to Informing Science – The International Journal of an Emerging Discipline.
Fenton, C. (Ed.). (2008, Winter). Te Iarere Wavelength: 3.
Fenton, C. (2008, June). Where have all the scientists gone? New Zealand BioScience, (17), 2, 11, 17, 20.
Fenton, C. (2008, June). Education – what to do now. New Zealand BioScience, (17), 2, 4, 16.
Fenton, C. (2008, Winter). Lecturing to the lecturers.Te Iarere Wavelength, 3, 5-6.
Fenton, C. (2008, Winter). Where have all the scientists gone?Te Iarere Wavelength, 3, 15-20.
Fenton, C. D. (2007, August 23). Peer Reviewer. Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Discipline.
Fenton, C. D. (2007, June). Microbiological misconceptions in secondary school science. New ZealandScience Teacher 2007, (115), 29-30.
Fenton, C. D. (2007, May). Education – what are we teaching? New ZealandBioScience, 16 (2), 9-10.
Fenton, C. (2006, April). Education – a collective responsibility. New ZealandBioScience 15 (1).
Fenton, C. (2006, August/September). Education – the scholastic era. New Zealand BioScience 15 (3), 8.
Fenton, C. (2006, November). Pathogen paranoia. Te Iarere Wavelength Issue 1, Spring 2006, 9-13.
Newspaper & Magazine Articles, Reviews, Features & Commentaries
Fenton, C. (2009, July 24). Author. Schools not top of class on swine flu plan. Taranaki Daily News.
Fenton, C. (January, 2006). “Year 11 Science Workbook”, NCEA Level 1, 2005. ESA Publications (NZ) Ltd, Newmarket, Auckland.
Conference Contributions
Fenton, C. (2010, November 30 - December 3). Presenter. New Zealand Microbiology Society Annual Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
Fenton, C. (2010, November). Convenor, Special Interest Group (Education) at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference for 2010.
Fenton, C. (2010, November). Microbiological workshop for secondary teachers. New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference for 2010. University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Fenton, C. (2009, July 8). Do nurses need to learn science? Paper presented at Centre for Science and Technology Education Research Graduate Conference. Hamilton.
Fenton, C. (2009, November). Convenor, Special Interest Group (Education) at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference for 2009.
Fenton, C. (2008, November 20). Session Chair at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference for 2008, Christchurch.
Fenton, C. (2008, November 20). Convenor, Special Interest Group at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference for 2008, Christchurch.
Fenton, C. (2008, November). Transition from secondary school to tertiary studies and then the workplace. Paper presented at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference, Christchurch.
Fenton, C. D. (2007, November 27-30). Convenor, Education Special Interest Group. New Zealand Microbiological Society Annual Conference, Wellington.
Fenton, C. (2006, November). Science in secondary schools - the hot and cold of it. New Zealand Microbiological Society Annual Conference. Universtiy of Waikato, Hamilton.
Fenton, C. D. (2005, November). The state of microbiology education in New Zealand high schools - A collective responsibility? Celebrating 50 Years of Microbial Interactions. Joint meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society and the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Otago University, Dunedin.
Fenton, C. D. (2004, November). Assessment of Practical Skills in Tertiary Scinece. New Zealand Microbiology Society Conference. Palmerston North.
Exhibitions, Catalogues, Competitions, Performance, Broadcasts & Films
Fenton, C. D. (2005, November 2). Interview about Bird flu on Most FM.
Creative Outputs
Group Exhibitions
Fenton, C. (2009, June 6-28). WITT Wide [Group exhibition by WITT staff]. Stratford, New Zealand: Percy Thomson Gallery.
Edited Online Publications
Fenton, C. (2005). Convenor of Special Interest Group in Education, New Zealand Microbiological Society Webpage: http://www.nzms.org.nz/SIG_Pages/SIG_Education.htm
Scholarly Activity
Professional Practice: Achievements & Distinctions
Appointments to National Bodies
Fenton, C. (2010). New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) panellist. Review of science qualifications.
Fenton,C. (2009-2010). Sector advisor in the National Qualifications Services of New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) Science review panel meeting.
Fenton, C. (2010, November). National Convenor for Special Interest Group: Education. Annual Report to AGM of New Zealand Microbiological Society, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Fenton, C. (2009). New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) panellist. Review of microbiology and science unit standards.
Fenton, C. (2009). New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) panellist. Review of immunology.
Other
Fenton, C. (2009, July). Correspondence [email] to Minister of Labour on pandemic preparedness.
Fenton, C. (2009, July). Correspondence [email] to Minister of Health on pandemic preparedness.
Fenton, C. (2006, January). Report to publishers ESA Publications (NZ) Ltd.Review of educational resource – Year 11 Science Workbook, NCEA Level 1, 2005.
Fenton, C. (2006, October). Submission to New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Review of National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 1. Standard 90188, External assessment 2002- 2005.
Fenton, C. D. (2004, November 18). Convenor. Report of Special Education Interest Group to the New Zealand Microbiological Society Annual General Meeting. NZMS Special Interest Group in Education. Microbes Outside the Square Conference. Palmerston North.
Fenton, C. D. & Fenton, M. (2004, December). Scientific Consultants. Digital Insight. Inglewood.
Academic Distinction - Qualifications
Fenton, C. (2010). Doctor of Philosophy. Identifying an appropriate science curriculum for undergraduate nursing in New Zealand. Centre for Science and Technology Education Research, School of Science and Engineering, Waikato University, New Zealand.
WITT Speaker Forums
Fenton, C. (2010, November 3). Resistant learners: What aren't they telling you? Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. (2005, October 30 & November 2). Bird Flu: What is it? Presentation at Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki. New Plymouth.
Public Addresses & Interviews
Fenton, C. D. (2005). Genetic Modification: Is New Zealand Swimming Against the Tide? Merrilands Ladies’ Probus Club. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. (22004, June 3). What are Microbes? Public Address. Tui Ora Infection Committee. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. (2004, October 27). Safe Food Handling and Preparation. Maru Wehi Hauora. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. (2004, November 9). Keeping a Culture Collection. Workshop Training. Science Teaching Technicians. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. & Fenton, M. (2004, September 10). How did Ancient Cultures Engage in Science? Oral Presentation to Science Teachers. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. & Fenton, M. (2004, September 10). How to Motivate Science Students. Oral Presentation to Science Teachers. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. D. & Fenton, M. (2004, November 7).Genetic Modification: Do the Risks Outweigh the Benefits? Vital Issues Forum. New Plymouth.
Commissioned External Research Reports
Fenton, C. (2005, November 23). Report as convenor of the Special Interest Group in Education for New Zealand Society of Microbiology Annual General Meeting.Celebrating 50 years of Microbial Interactions.Joint meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society and the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Otago University, Dunedin.
Citations
Fenton, C. (2008, October 8). Textbooks badly flawed. Taranaki Daily News, The Wow! Factor.
Contribution to Research Environment
Fenton, C. (2008-2010). Research Co-ordinator and Committee Chairperson, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki. New Plymouth.
Fenton, C. (2010). Blogger/author. Bellstreetfiles’s Blog. http://bellstreetfiles.wordpress.com/.
Fenton, C. (2009, March). Making school work. North and South, 47-48.
Fenton, C. (2009, June 8). Witt work in gallery spotlight. Taranaki Daily News, 2.
Fenton, C. (2009, September). Cited in NZMS president's report. New ZealandBioScience, 18(3), 7.
Membership of Institutional Research Committee
Fenton, C. (2007-2010). Committee member and Te Iarere Wavelength Committee member.
Institute Awards
Fenton, C. (2010, December 3). WITT Staff Awards 2010: Excellence Award for Research. Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki.
Fenton, C. (2009, May). Research leader - contribution to research. Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki.