Rate My Professor Ann Thornton

Ann Thornton dedicated 32 years to the University of Otago, Wellington campus, retiring in March 2023 following a farewell gathering at the Newtown campus attended by staff and students. Her extensive career encompassed diverse roles that significantly supported both academic and research endeavors. For 14 years, she served as undergraduate student affairs administrator, assisting thousands of radiation therapy and medical students with her friendly, welcoming demeanor and open-door policy, earning her the affectionate status of 'auntie' among them. She provided essential care and support to students facing challenges, helping many achieve their goals. As laboratory manager for 20 years, Ann made major contributions to the success of the university's research laboratories. She also acted as departmental manager for 9 years and researcher for 5 years. In her laboratory management capacity, she was the key contact for special case research involving animals, hazardous substances, laboratory procedures, training, and genetically modified organisms. Additionally, she fulfilled critical health and safety responsibilities, including laboratory H&S officer, first aid trained staff member, and floor warden.

Ann Thornton's research involvement included co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications from the Department of Pathology, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago. Notable works comprise 'Polyclonal Ki-67 expression in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder' (Pathology, 1997, with H.L. Jones, B. Delahunt, P.B. Bethwaite), 'Comparison of silver-staining nucleolar organizer region counts in thin and paraffin sections across a range of tumours' (Pathology, 1995, with P.B. Bethwaite et al.), and 'Proliferation of renal cell carcinoma assessed by fixation-resistant Ki67 oncoprotein expression with a microwave antigen retrieval technique' (Cancer, 1995, with B. Delahunt et al.). She held professional qualifications of CertMS, GradDipOSH, and FNZIMLS (Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science). Ann served on the editorial board of the New Zealand Journal of Medical Laboratory Science and contributed to fellowship examinations and journal activities through the NZIMLS. Her multifaceted service underscored her impact on medical laboratory science, student welfare, and research infrastructure at the University of Otago.