Rate My Professor Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews is the Senior Technologist at Laboratory Animal Services (LAS) in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago. As Head Surgical Technician at the Hercus Taieri Resource Unit (HTRU), part of the university's Biomedical Research Facility, he oversees surgical procedures and animal welfare for biomedical studies. Matthews has held the position of Senior Animal Technologist since October 1994, providing over 30 years of dedicated service to research initiatives across various health sciences disciplines.

His technical expertise has been vital to numerous research projects, particularly those involving large animal models such as sheep and pigs, as well as rodents. Matthews is frequently acknowledged in doctoral theses archived in the University of Otago Research Archive (OUR Archive) for his assistance with animal surgery, training, handling, and welfare. Specific contributions include support for studies on novel grafting materials for sinus floor augmentation (Sheftel, 2017), modelling cranial gunshot wounds (Radford, 2009), gut microbiota influences on selenium status (Krittaphol, 2011), alveolar bone remodelling and mechanostat theory (Milne, 2009), porcine models of chronic superficial thrombophlebitis (Jones, 2009), SLA and SLActive implant placements in sheep maxillary sinuses (2013), sheep and cow milk supplementation effects on mineral distribution in weanling rats (Burrow, 2020), and M.Z. Rizwan's work in medical sciences. Additionally, he collaborates with the Animal Welfare Office on health and safety matters within the Sciences Division. Through these efforts, Matthews has significantly supported advancements in oral sciences, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nutrition research at the University of Otago.