Musician turns scientist

Big ups to our sister Donna’s son, Dwayne Douglas Bennett. Dwayne is the grandson of Cherie and Donny, husband to Heather, father to Tara, Issac, Caleb, Genesis and Asha, brother to Tasha, Vivian, Ihaka and Takerei and nephew of Rangi, Soula, Dion and myself.

Dwayne recently graduated with a science degree, majoring in chemistry. He chose to defer his 2008 – 2011 bachelor’s degree in science at the University of Canterbury to this year. We are all so stoked for him and so very proud of our musician turned scientist.

Dwayne, who is a full-on musician committed to his band, has worked unbelievably hard to achieve all his goals. As a fulltime father and a fulltime student and rearcher, also supporting his family through the earthquakes, it has not been an easy task but he has managed to stay focussed on the goal post.

His talents and achievements are many and include his being guest speaker at The Laboratory Science – Navigating the Health System conference in July 2012 as a recipient of the Ministry of Science and Innovation scholarship. In 2011 he was a Māori mentor at Te Akatoki Whare, the Māori Students Association at the University of Canterbury; and he was awarded the ESR Tū Mai Tauira Scholarship.

Dwayne gained a Diploma in Jazz studies at CPIT School of Jazz, in Christchurch (1997 – 2000); and he performed as a musician at Seafest Kaikōura in 2010.

Well done my nephew and to everyone else, congratulations. Nā Rosey Tangaroawhai (Eve Timothy).

Dwayne Bennett is shown third from right, second row up from bottom.