Rate My Professor Sean MacPherson

Sean MacPherson serves as Senior Lecturer and Haematologist in the Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science at the University of Otago, Christchurch, part of the Faculty of Medicine within the Health Sciences Division. He holds qualifications including BSc(Hons), MB ChB(Hons), MRCP(Glasgow), FRCPath, and PG Cert Med Ed. With a joint appointment as Senior Clinical Lecturer and Consultant Haematologist between the University of Otago and Canterbury District Health Board, MacPherson contributes to clinical practice at Christchurch Hospital and academic pursuits. His career emphasizes haematology, bridging clinical care, research, and medical education.

MacPherson is a key member of the Haematology Research Group, which investigates the immunobiology of cancer and leukaemia to advance diagnosis and treatment of malignant diseases. Current projects examine myeloid derived suppressor cell numbers and function in cancer patients, as well as mechanisms of immunosuppression by leukaemic cells. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, including 'Impact of rheumatoid factors on the function of therapeutic monoclonals specific for PD-1/PD-L1' (Hock et al., Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 2025), 'Levels and in vitro functional effects of circulating anti-hinge antibodies in melanoma patients receiving the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab' (Hock et al., PLoS ONE, 2023), 'Supplementation with oral vitamin C prior to and during myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A pilot study' (Carr et al., Antioxidants, 2022), 'Monoclonal antibodies and invasive aspergillosis: Diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives' (Lian et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022), and 'Patients undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation exhibit depleted vitamin C status in association with febrile neutropenia' (Carr et al., Nutrients, 2020). Renowned for innovative teaching, he is the 'singing lecturer' who composes medical songs on topics such as anaemia to aid student learning. His excellence in education is evidenced by multiple awards: CMSA Best Vertical Module Teacher for fourth- and fifth-year classes (2017, 2020, 2021), UOC Teaching Awards (2020), and University of Otago, Christchurch Value Awards, including for collaboration.