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Prof Paul Cooper is probably the only person to have worked in the two newest dental school buildings on the planet.
Prof Cooper has been appointed the new dean of the University of Otago’s Faculty of Dentistry, a role he said he was ‘‘truly honoured’’ to take on following the recent opening of the faculty’s new facilities.
The university opened its new clinical services building, alongside an extensively refurbished Walsh Building, in June 2019.
In Birmingham, Prof Cooper worked in an integrated dental hospital and school building that opened in 2016.
He is the John Arnaud Bell Professor of Oral Biology in the oral sciences department at Otago at present.
He came to the university in 2019 from Birmingham, where he was professor of oral biology, director of research and deputy head of school at the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry.
Otago acting vice-chancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said Prof Cooper’s leadership experience and distinguished career in research made him the ideal appointment.
‘‘Otago has the only dental school in Aotearoa New Zealand, and it is one of the top-ranked dental schools in the world, so Prof Cooper has taken on a very important role.’’
He will take over the role in July next year.
Pro-vice-chancellor of the division of health sciences Prof Paul Brunton said he was taking over from current dean Prof Mike Morgan.
‘‘Mike has played a significant part in realising the significant investment in, and expansion of, the school and we thank him for his huge contribution.”
In 2010, Prof Cooper received the International Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist Young Investigator Award.
He has been awarded more than $10million in external research funding, and his portfolio of research activity focuses on dental and oral basic sciences with clinical translation, in which he works extensively with clinical colleagues to develop novel treatments and therapeutics.