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Professor Richard Barker

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Sciences

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 Ball image 2020

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)

Brendan McCane 2021 imageAs 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 NeisenMarie-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

Gwen Slote

Manager Divisional Finance

Gwen Slote imageGwen manages and provides expert financial advice, analysis, and support to the Division of Sciences. She works 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 contact her.

Gwen joined the University in 2011, and prior to joining the Division of Sciences, Gwen worked in the Animal Welfare Office, Humanities, the School of Pharmacy, and the Dunedin School of Medicine. Gwen is a provisional member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.

Contact

Gwen Slote
Manager Divisional Finance
Tel +64 3 244 8483
Mob +64 21 238 9237
Email gwen.slote@otago.ac.nz

Esther Sibbald

Finance Manager

Esther provides financial support and guidance to administrative and academic staff in departments and staff in the Sciences Divisional Office.

Esther also provides information and advice to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Senior Manager, Client Services on any issues which may have financial implications. She undertakes the monthly financial reporting alongside Brett and has a hands on role in the preparation of the annual budget and budget review for the Division.

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

Client Services 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
Client Services Administrator
Tel +64 3 479 7534
Email science@otago.ac.nz

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