Rate My Professor Margie Lazar

Margie Lazar, professionally known as Marguerita Lázár, serves as Senior Teaching Fellow in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences within the Division of Sciences at the University of Otago, where she has been employed since 1999. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Arts awarded in 1998, and Diploma in Public Health awarded in 2001, all from the University of Otago, and is currently pursuing a PhD. Her long-standing commitment to the institution underscores her dedication to undergraduate and postgraduate education in sport and exercise sciences.

In her teaching role, Lazar coordinates the SPEX 316 Practicum paper, guiding students through essential workplace and practical experiences. She contributes as teaching staff to SPEX 309 Active Living and Environment alongside Associate Professor Nancy Rehrer, Dr Emily Scott, Dr Ihirangi Heke, and others, as well as SPEX 516 Practicum for master's students. Beyond classroom instruction, she plays a vital support role as Kaiāwhina for Māori students in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences and the Division of Sciences, fostering culturally responsive academic guidance. Additionally, she serves as the school's Disabilities Officer and participates in the Division of Sciences Community Engagement and Learning committee. Lazar's research interests encompass sociology, feminism, and philosophy within the context of physical education and sport. She contributed to developing the calisthenics protocol for a 2017 study on heat and dehydration effects in cardiovascular responses published in Frontiers in Physiology. In recognition of her student support efforts, she received an Appreciation Award from the University of Otago's Disability Information and Support service. Her involvement extends to school events, including virtual graduation celebrations.