Based in the Faculty of Dentistry, Associate Professor Peter Cathro has been appointed Associate Dean Space of the Health Sciences Division.
With experience in university operations both at the University of Otago and abroad, Associate Professor Peter Cathro has taken on a new role as the Division of Health Sciences Associate Dean Space.
Peter says he is excited by the opportunity to help the Division effectively manage its space planning. His core motivation is establishing achievable goals, managing priorities, and working with stakeholders to deliver meaningful results.
“I returned to Dunedin 10 years ago after spending seven years at the University of Adelaide. Since my return I have been involved in a number of projects, including a secondment as Programme Manager Organisational Delivery for our new dental clinic,” Peter says.
“It involved finding solutions to multifaceted problems and was an experience I very much enjoyed where I learnt skills I believe will be helpful in my new role.
“My time working with Otago’s Campus Development team also left me with a similar positive experience and is what encouraged me to take on this new problem-solving role, continuing the amazing work that was done by my predecessor Professor Debbie Hay.”
Peter says he is currently taking the time needed to understand the scope of the role and landscape surrounding it because he is conscious that the Division is in a new phase post Covid-19, with the release of Pae Tata amongst other changes.
He wants to carefully consider the environment before establishing specific goals and priorities, though one thing is clear – he wants to make sure the Division’s spaces facilitate the excellent teaching and research that Otago is known for.
Describing himself as a passionate teacher, Peter would like these goals to be future proofed as much as possible to make them efficient and meaningful, ensuring that tauira and kaimahi’s experiences at Otago are positive and fruitful.
Peter, who is based in the Faculty of Dentistry, has had a long association with Otago. He completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Dunedin before working in Auckland, London, Melbourne and Adelaide in both private practice and university settings.
He is a specialist in endodontics (root canal therapy) and considers helping patients who are suffering with dental pain, or those having experienced dental trauma, one of the most rewarding and important parts of his career.
Peter says that, while his academic research is specialised, his involvement in university projects and the MBA he began two years ago has enabled him to continually practise and explore strategic thinking.
“The MBA I am currently doing has been highly rewarding. I’ve since finished all the papers for it and I’m now on to my final project which focuses on the use of space in education.”
-Kōrero by Kelsey Swart, Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser