Mirabella Uphof

Hi, my name is Mirabella Uphof and I am in my 4th year of studying for a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland. In the future, I hope to specialise in a surgical specialty and conduct and contribute to research in the field. After my last few years in Auckland, I have recently returned home to Northland where I am undertaking my placement for the year at Whangarei Hospital. I was fortunate enough to receive DUX at my high school and the University of Auckland's Top Achiever Scholarship, alongside various musical scholarships which I am very grateful for. My academics are very important to me and I always love learning to improve my knowledge and stimulate my brain in many fields.  

While in Auckland, I joined a research role with Manaaki Manawa, the Centre for Heart Research in a project to design a tissue-engineered heart valve for pediatric transplant in Rheumatic Heart Disease. After writing a review on this field, I was invited to present the paper at Queenstown Research Week as a part of the Heart Satellite meeting, which was an incredible opportunity to meet people in the cardiac research space. 

Outside of my academics, I love to cook and travel the world. I also enjoy cycling. I actively perform and work in the music industry too, specialising in classical and jazz piano after classically training for 16 years. In 2022, I completed my Associate Trinity College London (ATCL) piano performance diploma and performed a solo piano recital in preparation for this exam. I have worked as Musical Director of the Panimals Steel Pan Band at Bream Bay College, and worked closely with the Opera North Society as a choir member and piano accompanist. I now teach piano privately alongside my studies. 

I am excited to be a part of the Pinnacle programme as it is a real privilege to be surrounded by like-minded and driven young individuals