Professor Paul Cooper
Professor Paul Cooper began his role as University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry Professor of Oral Biology this month.
Professor Cooper has come from the University of Birmingham where he was Professor of Oral Biology, Director of Research and Deputy Head of School at the School of Dentistry. He was also Deputy Director of Research in the Institute of Clinical Sciences.
In 2010 he was awarded the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Young Investigator Distinguished Scientist Award.
His broad portfolio of research activity focuses on the oral basic sciences with clinical translation in dentistry, working extensively with clinical colleagues to develop novel treatments and therapeutics. His research has covered stem cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, oral epithelial biology, pulp biology and endodontics, and periodontology.
He successfully led his dental school in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 to the top of the national rankings for research outputs.
He has gained more than NZ$10 million in research funding while also leading the teaching of preclinical oral biology.
He has supervised dozens of PhD students, has more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles published, and co-authored ten book chapters. He has a Scopus h-index of 46.
Professor Cooper has strong industry and international links and he is currently the vice-president of the Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group of IADR. He also served as British Society of Oral and Dental Research Mineralised Tissue Group Chair.
University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne says Professor Cooper's arrival adds another strong, established and highly respected international figure to the Faculty of Dentistry.
“Professor Cooper brings not only a wealth of skills and research ability to the University of Otago, he also brings strong industry and international links. That is a coup for the Faculty of Dentistry's students and researchers.
“It is a privilege to welcome someone with such a leadership and research background, and it will be exciting to see what Professor Cooper achieves in the Faculty over the coming years.”
Professor Cooper says he is “delighted” to join the University of Otago.
“There are fantastic opportunities here to work with world-class colleagues in the superb new dental building. There are state-of-the-art and world-leading teaching, research and clinical facilities here.”
Joining a multidisciplinary team with such a strong research track-record, as well as undertaking world class dental education, is an “exciting opportunity”, he says.
“I aim to have a continued significant research impact from my work both nationally and internationally. To achieve this I look forward to establishing highly productive working relationships with colleagues from within the Faculty as well as with new colleagues from other schools from the University.”
For more information, contact:
Professor Paul Cooper
Professor of Oral Biology
Faculty of Dentistry
University of Otago
Tel +64 3 479 7690
Email p.cooper@otago.ac.nz
Craig Borley
Communications Adviser (Division of Health Sciences)
Mob +64 21 279 4144
Email craig.borley@otago.ac.nz
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