Eli Kliejunas Email & Phone Number

I am a passionate biostatistician and data analyst dedicated to leveraging statistical analysis and cutting-edge technology to advance public health and wellbeing, with a focus on food systems, mental health interventions, and the ethical application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in the health sector.My background lies in the intersection between biostatistics, public health, and food systems. Following my Honours year dissertation at the University of Auckland, I recently published research analysing a dataset of nearly 2 million New Zealand household food purchases to assess possible associations between demographic variables and households’ per capita dietary emissions (i.e., the emissions stemming from the production and distribution of each food purchased). Currently, I am working on a narrative review of the broader academic literature pairing dietary assessments with environmental impact estimates to investigate potential connections between demographic factors and dietary emissions. Since joining Synergia in 2022, I have been the lead analyst on several projects investigating the coverage and impact of primary care mental health interventions and hospice care. In my work on the Te Tumu Waiora and Tokū Oranga wellbeing initiatives for Tū Whakaruruhau (also known as the Auckland Wellbeing Collaborative) and Wellsouth (a Primary Health Network), I have applied inferential statistics to examine complex questions around human wellbeing and health services utilisation. My ability to apply a statistical lens to these complex questions is enhanced by my experience teaching a postgraduate course in Health Statistics at the University of Auckland in 2022. As a self-taught programmer in R, I am committed to continually refining my statistical analysis and modelling skills to investigate multifaceted issues related to human wellbeing.More recently, I have been investigating the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) in the health sector, assessing their ability to enhance health services in New Zealand while mitigating associated risks. As a leader in Synergia’s efforts to responsibly leverage LLMs, I have streamlined workflows and developed sophisticated data analysis scripts using R and Python. Additionally, I have expanded Synergia’s ‘AI Deep Dive’ learning series (https://synergia.co.nz/ai-deep-dive-series/) by creating tutorial videos on the safe and intelligent utilisation of LLMs. I am driven by a passion for advancing population health and wellbeing via the ethical application of technology.