Rate My Professor Geoffrey Tompkins

Geoffrey Tompkins serves as Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Sciences within the University of Otago's Faculty of Dentistry. A graduate of the University of Otago with a BSc, PhD, and PGDipSci, Tompkins has built a career as a dedicated microbiologist supporting clinical and translational research in dentistry. His academic journey has been marked by contributions to collaborative studies, particularly with postgraduate students at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute.

Tompkins' research specializes in dental molecular microbiology, with key interests in oral biofilms, endodontic microbiology, microbiology associated with dental implants and restorative dentistry, and innovative dental forensics via microbial profiling of bite marks. He is internationally recognized for advancing bite mark analysis techniques, having contributed to two definitive publications in forensic odontology and earning acknowledgment in The Lancet in 2006 for the potential of his microbial approach in criminal investigations. Additionally, he pioneered a rapid assay to measure bacterial persistence in dentinal tubules after root canal treatments, a methodological breakthrough praised for its impact on endodontic research.

Throughout his tenure, Tompkins has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles. Notable recent works include "Molecular mechanism of action of HOCl from neutral-pH electrolysed oxidising water against Candida albicans" (Journal of Fungi, 2025), "Comparison of biofilm accumulation on conventional and CAD/CAM orthodontic band alloys" (Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 2025), "Gold nanoparticles as innovative therapeutics for oral mucositis: A review of current evidence" (Drug Delivery & Translational Research, 2025), "Fundamental dental research in New Zealand" (New Zealand Dental Journal, 2024), and "Effects of simulated long-term exposure to bottled, neutral pH electrolyzed oxidizing water on the properties of denture base resins" (Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2024). He has supervised multiple doctoral theses on topics such as novel endodontic therapies, manuka honey effects on plaque, and gold nanoparticle applications. Tompkins' work has significantly influenced microbiological understandings in dental practice and forensics.