About Way Down South Software

Formerly known in New Zealand as 'NutriComp'. I changed the name when I started distributing software in the United States, since I found there was an existing company in the U.S.A. called Nutri-Comp.

Way Down South Software's involvement in diet analysis software development...

In 1988 I completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition at University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. In 1994 I completed a Master of Science in Community Nutrition at University of Otago. My Master's research investigated 'The Design, Analysis and Evaluation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Assessing the Nutrient Intake of New Zealand Adults'.

I have been developing diet analysis software since 1989. A large number of my early programs were for analysing 'Food Frequency Questionnaires'. I developed food frequency questionnaire analysis software for the 'Hillary Commission for Recreation and Sport: Life in New Zealand Survey' conducted by the Faculty of Physical Education, University of Otago. Several other programs were custom written for various research projects in the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago.

I spent four years (1990-1994) as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago. I was responsible for providing staff and post-graduate research students with specialised computing support for nutrition research, teaching and administration. I also managed and developed the department's diet analysis and computing resources.

In August 1993 I traveled to Oxford University to implement one of my diet analysis systems for the Department of Public Health and Primary Care. This software was adapted to use the U.K. McCance & Widdowson food composition database.

I have also undertaken consultancy work for clients including the Public Health Commission. This work involved overseeing the data collection, entry and statistical analysis of the nationwide survey of schools investigating the 'Perceived Food Inadequacy Among Children in Schools'. I also worked as a consultant for the Department of Health's Research and Analytical Services providing dietary analysis services for two national surveys of nutrient intakes of school children.

My current job is Computer Assisted Learning Developer and Information Technology Manager of the Department of Anatomy & Structural Biology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.