Rate My Professor Diana Rothstein

Dr. Diana Rothstein is the Research Advisor for Health Sciences within the University of Otago's Research and Enterprise Office. Located in Room G04 of the Wellcome Building on the Dunedin campus at 362 Leith Street, she plays a pivotal role in advancing research excellence by supporting academics across key health-related disciplines. Specifically, Rothstein advises researchers from the Faculty of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, School of Physiotherapy, and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her comprehensive services include guidance on contestable funding opportunities, development of compelling research proposals, facilitation of collaborative grant applications, and assistance with the negotiation and ongoing management of research contracts once funding is secured. She emphasizes the importance of early engagement, inviting new staff members to contact her upon arrival at the University to strategize their research funding pursuits effectively.

Rothstein's career at the University of Otago spans multiple areas, reflecting her versatile expertise in research support. Prior to her current position, she served as Research Adviser for the School of Business, where she contributed significantly to the management of SPARC-funded projects conducted by the Centre for Recreation Research. These included studies such as "Understanding Commitment and Enduring Involvement in Mountain Biking," "Recent Immigrants' Recreation Experiences of Outdoor Nature," and "'Planting the Seed': Family Preferences, Experiences and Benefits of Nature-Based Recreation." Earlier, affiliated with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at Otago Medical School, she co-authored the peer-reviewed paper "Chemical exposure among NZ farmers," published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research in 2007, which analyzed chemical usage and potential health risks in a stratified random sample of New Zealand farmers. Additionally, she co-authored "How Do Researchers Do It?: A Description of Developing a Multi Disciplinary Research Assessment" in Childrenz Issues. Rothstein has been recognized for coordinating preliminary testing activities in the development of the occupational history calendar approach, acknowledged in a 2011 publication. In 2017, she judged the Sir John Walsh Research Institute's Three Minute Thesis competition, underscoring her commitment to fostering emerging researchers. Through these contributions, Dr. Rothstein has impacted research development and postgraduate training at the University of Otago.