Professor Richard Barker
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Sciences
Richard Barker graduated from Massey University with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology. After working as a Fish and Game Officer from 1985 to 1989, Richard spent three years at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Wildlife Centre working on statistical problems in wildlife research and management. Richard then trained in statistics, again at Massey University. His 1995 PhD thesis was on capture-recapture modelling.
After working for two and a half years at Landcare Research, Richard joined the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Otago in 1998. Richard was appointed as Professor of Statistics in 2007, and was Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics from 2008 to 2016.
Richard was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Sciences in 2017 and is proud to head the Division at New Zealand's most science intensive university. The team he leads are dedicated to ensure outstanding support for the Division as it aspires to lead the University in its drive for internationally recognised excellence in all of its activities with a strong emphasis on research and research-led teaching.
Contact
Professor Richard Barker
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Sciences
Tel +64 3 479 7978
Email richard.barker@otago.ac.nz
Charlotte Ball
Executive Assistant to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Charlotte provides executive assistance to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor including correspondence, research, compliance with University and Divisional policies, Human Resources administrative processes and general office administration.
Contact
Charlotte Ball
Executive Assistant to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Tel +64 3 479 7978
Email pvc.sciences.ea@otago.ac.nz
Professor Brendan McCane
Associate Dean (Academic)
As Associate Dean (Academic), Brendan supports and monitors the academic work of the Division's departments in relation to curriculum development, quality assurance and the implementation of University policies. Brendan leads and supports strategic developments relating to academic matters at both the Divisional and University levels.
Brendan has been a member of the Department of Computer Science at Otago since 1997. His research interests include machine learning, deep networks, computer vision, biomedical imaging and robotics.
Contact
Brendan McCane
Associate Dean (Academic)
Tel +64 3 479 8588
Email ada.sciences@otago.ac.nz
Marie-Louise Neilsen
Senior Manager, Divisional Services & Administration
Marie-Louise's role involves leading and managing the provision of professional business and operations support services to the Division. She works with other Divisional Senior Managers to ensure consistent work processes and procedures are implemented across the Division and University. If a department has any special projects or requires additional administrative support for any reason, please contact her.
Contact
Marie-Louise Neilsen
Senior Manager, Divisional Services & Administration
Tel +64 3 244 8485
Email marie-louise.neilsen@otago.ac.nz
Fraser Hunter
Manager Divisional Finance
Fraser provides expert financial advice, analysis, and support to the Division of Sciences. He collaborates with other Divisional Finance Managers and the wider Financial Services Division, and manages the team of Finance Advisory staff supporting the Division of Sciences. If a department has any financial projects or requires specialist financial analysis and support, please get in touch.
Fraser has been supporting Sciences since May 2024, and has previously worked in the Strategic Finance team. Fraser is a University of Otago graduate, and is a fully qualified member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Contact
Fraser Hunter
Manager Divisional Finance
Tel +64 3 556 6633
Email fraser.hunter@otago.ac.nz
Esther Sibbald
Finance Manager
Esther provides financial support and advice to administrative and academic staff in the Division of Sciences. Along with the other Finance Manager in Sciences, she also supports the Divisional Finance Manager in providing information and guidance to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) and Senior Manager on any issues which may have financial implications. Tasks include monthly reporting and analysis, financial modelling, preparation of the annual budget and ongoing forecasting.
Esther is a University of Otago graduate, completing a double major in Zoology and Ecology and then a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management in 2002. She then worked for Landcare Research and Contact Energy before heading overseas where she moved into administration and finance roles. On return to New Zealand in 2009, she joined the Zoology Department as Departmental Administrator and then Supervisor before becoming a Finance Associate in 2019 and supporting Sciences in 2020. She is currently studying part time toward a DipGrad in Accounting at Otago.
Contact
Esther Sibbald
Finance Manager
Tel +64 3 244 8484
Email esther.sibbald@otago.ac.nz
Anna Samuel
Administrator
Anna looks forward to welcoming you to the Division of Sciences. You can find her at the reception in the Divisional Office, 3rd Floor of the Science Library where she is the first point of contact to assist with queries from students, staff, and visitors. Anna also provides administrative assistance to her colleagues in the Divisional Office.
Contact
Anna Samuel
Administrator
Tel +64 3 479 7534
Email science@otago.ac.nz