Monica is a Ph.D. student with the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) through the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Her thesis topic is the Development of an agenda/framework to support and sustain healthier school food environments in the Pacific Islands. Monica has an undergraduate degree in nutrition science, for which she was awarded the Medal of Academic Excellence, and in 2021, was the recipient of an ACPIR research scholarship. During her undergraduate studies, Monica was involved in research activities in the areas of haematological cancer and public health nutrition. Monica applies systems thinking to research and values equity, collaboration, empowerment, and sustainability as core considerations. She is currently leading a study to systematically scope the global school food environment.