Rate My Professor Matthew Leaper

Matthew Leaper is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery and Critical Care (Dunedin) within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Otago. He specializes in adult and paediatric otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, thyroid surgery, facial plastic surgery, and nose and sinus surgery. Leaper earned his MB ChB from the University of Otago Medical School in 1996 and obtained his FRACS qualification in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in 2006. Following graduation, he gained surgical experience in New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2000, he worked in Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton, and Dunedin, completing specialist training in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. He subsequently undertook two years of post-fellowship training in Perth, Australia. Currently, he practices in both public and private sectors, including Dunedin Hospital, Kew Hospital in Invercargill, Mercy Hospital in Dunedin, and Southern Cross Hospital in Invercargill. He is actively involved in teaching junior doctors and medical students.

Leaper is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, and Australasian Head and Neck Cancer Society. His clinical interests encompass facial plastic surgery, paediatric surgery, head and neck oncology, endoscopic sinus surgery, thyroid and parotid surgery, rhinology, and obstructive sleep apnoea. He has contributed to medical literature with publications in peer-reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology. Key works include 'Paediatric small cavity mastoid surgery: second look tympanotomy' (2004, with P.J.D. Dawes) and studies on anatomical features of the hypopharyngeal wall in elderly cadavers. Leaper has presented research at local and international conferences and maintains a commitment to ongoing professional development and teaching of health professionals. His work supports clinical care and education in otolaryngology at the University of Otago.