David R. Murdoch (born 10 July 1962) is a New Zealand academic specialising in paediatric infectious diseases, especially pneumonia. He has also worked on Legionnaires' disease and has advised the Oxford University vaccine group and the New Zealand government on COVID-19. Since February 2022, he has been Vice-Chancellor of the

University of Otago , image_name = University of Otago Registry Building2.jpg , image_size = , caption = University clock tower , motto = la, Sapere aude , mottoeng = Dare to be wise , established = 1869; 152 years ago , type = Public research collegiate ...

Early life and education

Murdoch was born in

Dunedin Dunedin ( ; mi, Ōtepoti) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from , the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Th ...

in 1962, and was educated at Ōpoho Primary School, before moving to Christchurch at six years old. Murdoch graduated from the

in 1985 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Murdoch also holds a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Otago, completed in 2003, a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the

University of London The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degree ...

, a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the

University of Liverpool , mottoeng = These days of peace foster learning , established = 1881 – University College Liverpool1884 – affiliated to the federal Victoria Universityhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/2004/4 University of Manchester Act 200 ...

and a Diploma from the

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a public research university in Bloomsbury, central London, and a member institution of the University of London that specialises in public health and tropical medicine. The inst ...

Research

Murdoch became interested in childhood infectious diseases after a trip to Nepal, working in one of Sir Edmund Hillary's mountain hospitals, where he saw the effects of measles on the local population. His work on Legionnaires' disease led to the establishment of a New Zealand-wide surveillance system. Murdoch led a

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), a merging of the William H. Gates Foundation and the Gates Learning Foundation, is an American private foundation founded by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. Based in Seattle, Washington, it was ...

-funded global study of childhood pneumonia, which changed the way the disease is diagnosed, and led to new treatments and preventative measures in developing countries. Murdoch is co-director of the One Health Aotearoa research alliance, which is a group of infectious disease experts from the University of Otago’s medical school, Massey University’s veterinary school and the

Institute of Environmental Science and Research The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute (CRI). Its purpose is to deliver scientific and research services to the public health, food safety, security and justice systems, and the enviro ...

(ESR), who are working together to address health hazards across the human, animal and environmental interfaces.

Appointments

Murdoch was one of three international experts advising Oxford University on its vaccine against COVID19. He was Head of Pathology in Christchurch for 14 years, including the period after the Canterbury earthquakes. He was appointed Dean of the

University of Otago, Christchurch The University of Otago, Christchurch is one of seven component schools that make up the University of Otago Division of Health Sciences. The University of Otago, Christchurch is based primarily at Christchurch Hospital, in Christchurch Central ...

in 2016. In July 2021 it was announced that Murdoch will take over the role of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago from acting Vice-Chancellor Helen Nicholson in early 2022.

Awards and honours

Murdoch received the University of Otago’s Distinguished Research Medal in 2020. He also won the Outstanding Leadership Award at the university in 2020. Murdoch is a Fellow of the

Royal Australasian College of Physicians The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is a not-for-profit professional organisation responsible for training and educating physicians and paediatricians across Australia and New Zealand. The RACP is responsible for training both ...

(infectious diseases), and also of the

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, more commonly known by its acronym RCPA is a medical organization that promotes the science and practice of pathology. The RCPA is a leading organisation representing pathologists and other sen ...

. In 2005 he was made a Fellow of the

Infectious Diseases Society of America The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a medical association representing physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases. It was founded in 1963 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. ...

, and in 2019 he was made a Fellow of the

American Academy of Microbiology The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), originally the Society of American Bacteriologists, is a professional organization for scientists who study viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa as well as other aspects of microbiology. It wa ...

. Murdoch was made an Honorary life member of the Himalayan Rescue Association of Nepal in 1988, and an Honorary member of the Holistic Health Society – Nepal, for "outstanding service and contribution in the health sector of Nepal" in 2017.

Selected publications

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References

External links

Murdoch's Inaugural Professorial Lecture
April 2014
Radio New Zealand stories involving MurdochOne Health Aotearoa
website {{DEFAULTSORT:Murdoch, David R. New Zealand academic administrators University of Otago alumni University of Otago faculty Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Fellows of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology New Zealand scientists Living people 1962 births