Academic Leadership: A Global Perspective
At Marist International College, our greatest asset is not our campus, but the minds that inhabit it. Our teaching staff represents a diverse coalition of global academics, recruited not only for their research pedigree but for their ability to mentor. Many of our faculty have relocated to Wellington under the Straight to Residence Tier 1 Visa scheme, reflecting their status as world-class specialists in areas of skill shortage such as Physics, Artificial Intelligence, and Macroeconomics.
Below is a selection of our key academic staff for the 2025 academic year.
School of Computer Science & Intelligent Systems
Prof. Tibor Gal
Head of Department | Ph.D. (Technical University of Munich)
Profile: Professor Gal joined Marist after a decade in the German automotive AI sector. His teaching style is notoriously rigorous, emphasising the mathematical foundations of machine learning over simple coding syntax. He leads the college’s “Algorithmic Ethics” working group. Outside the lab, Tibor is an avid trail runner, often seen on the Mount Victoria lookout tracks.
Research Interests:
- Computer Vision in low-light environments.
- The ethics of autonomous decision-making systems.
Selected Publications:
- Gal, T. & Weber, K. (2023). Edge Computing Protocols for Seismic Sensors. Journal of Pacific Computing. DOI: 10.1098/jpc.2023.00492x
- Gal, T. (2021). Redundancy in Neural Networks: A critique. Proceedings of the Int. Conference on AI Logic. ISBN: 978-3-16-148410-0
Dr. Saskia Aaltonen
Senior Lecturer (Cybersecurity) | D.Sc. (Aalto University)
Profile: Dr. Aaltonen brings a uniquely Nordic approach to digital security—focusing on privacy as a human right. She manages the College’s “Red Team” simulations, where students defend against simulated cyber-attacks in real-time. She previously consulted for the Estonian e-Residency programme before moving to New Zealand to research data sovereignty.
Research Interests:
- Cryptographic protocols for decentralised finance.
- Penetration testing in legacy banking systems.
Selected Publications:
- Aaltonen, S. (2024). The Firewall of Silence: Privacy in the Age of IoT. Wellington Tech Review. Vol 12, Issue 4.
- Aaltonen, S. & Chen, L. (2022). Vulnerability Assessment of Oceanic Subsea Cables. Global Security Journal. DOI: 10.1057/gsj.2022.8839
Faculty of Art, Design & Interactive Media
Mr. Lovro Kovač
Programme Director (Creative Technologies) | M.Arch (University of Zagreb)
Profile: A practising architect turned digital environment artist, Mr. Kovač bridges the gap between physical space and virtual reality. He advocates for “Digital Brutalism” and encourages students to look at Wellington’s concrete architecture for texture inspiration. He is currently working on a VR preservation project for the Wellington Museum.
Research Interests:
- Photogrammetry in Heritage Preservation.
- Brutalist aesthetics in Game Design.
Selected Publications:
- Kovač, L. (2023). Concrete Pixels: Rendering Weight in Virtual Space. Design Quarterly NZ. ISSN: 1175-0092
- Kovač, L. (2020). Spatial Disorientation as a Narrative Tool. (Conference Paper, Melbourne Interactive Media Summit). ID: MIMS-20-441
Ms. Elara Mironescu
Lecturer (Visual Communication) | MFA (National University of Arts Bucharest)
Profile: Ms. Mironescu specialises in typography and semiotics. Her teaching focuses on how visual language translates across cultures—a vital skill in New Zealand’s multicultural society. She is known for her strict critiques on kerning and her warm, mentorship-based approach to portfolio development.
Research Interests:
- Kinetic Typography in User Interfaces.
- The semiotics of indigenous patterns in modern branding.
Selected Publications:
- Mironescu, E. (2024). Type in Motion: A Study of Wellington’s Cafe Branding. Visual Arts Aotearoa. DOI: 10.3390/arts13010045
- Mironescu, E. (2021). Glyphs and Glitches. The European Design Journal. ISBN: 978-0-19-923490-1
School of Economics & Commerce
Dr. Jarenka Bos
Senior Fellow (Economics) | Ph.D. (Tartu University)
Profile: Dr. Bos is a macroeconomist with a specific interest in “Small Open Economies,” making her expertise perfectly suited to the New Zealand context. She frequently invites guest speakers from the nearby Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Her classes are demanding, often requiring students to model the impacts of commodity price shocks on the NZ dollar.
Research Interests:
- Inflation targeting in post-pandemic economies.
- The impact of supply chain disruption on island nations.
Selected Publications:
- Bos, J. (2023). The Kiwi Dollar Dilemma: Import Costs vs Export Competitiveness. Oceania Economic Bulletin. Vol 45.
- Bos, J. & Smith, P. (2022). Digital Currencies in Small States. Journal of Monetary Policy. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmp.2022.04.011
Mr. Thanasis Papanikolaou
Lecturer (Finance & Analytics) | MSc (Athens University of Economics and Business)
Profile: Coming from a background in maritime shipping finance, Mr. Papanikolaou brings a practical, high-stakes energy to the classroom. He runs the “Marist Trading Floor” simulation. He is currently completing his second PhD focusing on the logistics of the South Pacific. He is known for his “Coffee & Markets” morning sessions where students discuss overnight global shifts.
Research Interests:
- Derivatives markets in shipping logistics.
- Risk management in volatile trade corridors.
Selected Publications:
- Papanikolaou, T. (2024). Hedging the Harbour: Port Logistics and Financial Risk. NZ Logistics Journal. ID: NZLJ-24-882
- Papanikolaou, T. (2021). Greek Shipping Protocols applied to Pacific Routes. Int. Journal of Maritime Commerce. DOI: 10.1007/s10479-021-04211-z
Senior Secondary School (Years 11–13)
Dr. Hendrik Visser
Lead Science Teacher (Physics & Chemistry) | Ph.D. (Ghent University)
Profile: It is rare for high school students to be taught by a published physicist, but Dr. Visser prefers the energy of the teenage classroom to the university lecture hall. He specialises in preparing Year 13 students for the “Scholarship” exams. He runs the College’s “Rocketry Club,” which meets every Saturday to launch model rockets from the school grounds.
Research Interests:
- Physics Education and gamification of calculus.
- Atmospheric thermodynamics (Previous career).
Selected Publications:
- Visser, H. (2019). From Newton to NCEA: Bridging the Gap. NZ Science Teacher. Vol 102.
- Visser, H. (2015). Thermal Decay in Upper Atmosphere Layers. European Physics Letters. DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/112/40001
Mrs. Katja Nowak
Dean of Senior Students & English Teacher | MA (Jagiellonian University)
Profile: Mrs. Nowak is the pastoral heart of the Senior School. With a background in Comparative Literature, she teaches English with a focus on world cinema and translated texts, encouraging students to look beyond the standard canon. She is responsible for the “University Readiness Programme,” helping Year 13s navigate their university applications.
Research Interests:
- Post-colonial narratives in Eastern European and Maori literature.
- Adolescent well-being in high-pressure academic environments.
Selected Publications:
- Nowak, K. (2022). Voices from the Edge: A Comparative Study. Journal of Commonwealth Literature (Guest Contributor).
- Nowak, K. (2020). The Anxious Student: Strategies for NCEA Success. Educational Psychology NZ. ISBN: 978-1-86940-900-5