David R. Murdoch (born 10 July 1962) is a New Zealand academic specialising in paediatric infectious diseases, especially pneumonia. He has also worked on Legionnaires' disease and has advised the Oxford University vaccine group and the New Zealand government on COVID-19. Murdoch served as Vice-Chancellor of the

University of Otago The University of Otago () is a public university, public research university, research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and one of the oldest universities in ...

between February 2022 and June 2023.

Early life and education

Murdoch was born in

Dunedin Dunedin ( ; ) is the second-most populous city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from ("fort of Edin"), the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of S ...

in 1962, and was educated at Ōpoho Primary School, before moving to Christchurch at six years old. Murdoch graduated from the

in 1985 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Murdoch also holds a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Otago, completed in 2003, a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the

University of London The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a collegiate university, federal Public university, public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The ...

, a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the

University of Liverpool The University of Liverpool (abbreviated UOL) is a Public university, public research university in Liverpool, England. Founded in 1881 as University College Liverpool, Victoria University (United Kingdom), Victoria University, it received Ro ...

and a Diploma from the

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a public university, public research university in Bloomsbury, central London, and a constituent college, member institution of the University of London that specialises in public hea ...

Research

Murdoch became interested in childhood infectious diseases after a trip to Nepal, working in one of Sir Edmund Hillary's mountain hospitals, where he saw the effects of measles on the local population. His work on

Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any species of ''Legionella'' bacteria, quite often ''Legionella pneumophila''. Signs and symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, myalgia, muscle pains, and headach ...

led to the establishment of a New Zealand-wide surveillance system. Murdoch led a

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation The Gates Foundation is an American private foundation founded by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. Based in Seattle, Washington, it was launched in 2000 and is reported to be List of wealthiest charitable foundations, the third largest char ...

-funded global study of childhood pneumonia, which changed the way the disease is diagnosed, and led to new treatments and preventative measures in developing countries. Murdoch is co-director of the One Health Aotearoa research alliance, which is a group of infectious disease experts from the University of Otago's medical school, Massey University's veterinary school and the

Institute of Environmental Science and Research The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute (CRI). Its purpose is to deliver scientific and research services to the public health, food safety, security and justice systems, and the envi ...

(ESR), who are working together to address health hazards across the human, animal and environmental interfaces.

Appointments

Murdoch was one of three international experts advising Oxford University on its vaccine against COVID19. He was Head of Pathology in Christchurch for 14 years, including the period after the Canterbury earthquakes. He was appointed Dean of the University of Otago, Christchurch in 2016. In July 2021 it was announced that Murdoch will take over the role of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago from acting Vice-Chancellor Helen Nicholson in early 2022. Murdoch began his tenure in February 2022 and announced that "creating change" would be his "highest priority" following a review into allegations of racism at the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences. Under his leadership, Otago University embarked on a proposal to change its logo with its coat of arms replaced by a Māori cultural symbol tohu and a new Māori name for the university. In March 2023, Murdoch went on sick leave with Dr. Helen Nicholson taking over as acting-Vice Chancellor. In mid-June 2023, Murdoch resigned as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, roughly 18 months after assuming the job. Murdoch will return to Otago's Canterbury campus as a distinguished professor.

Awards and honours

Murdoch received the University of Otago's Distinguished Research Medal in 2020. He also won the Outstanding Leadership Award at the university in 2020. Murdoch is a Fellow of the

Royal Australasian College of Physicians The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is a not-for-profit professional organisation responsible for training and educating physicians and paediatricians across Australia and New Zealand. The RACP is responsible for training both ...

(infectious diseases), and also of the

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, more commonly known by its acronym RCPA, is a medical organization that promotes the science and practice of pathology. The RCPA is a leading organisation representing pathologists and other se ...

. In 2005 he was made a Fellow of the

Infectious Diseases Society of America The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a medical association representing physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases. It was founded in 1963 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. ...

, and in 2019 he was made a Fellow of the

American Academy of Microbiology American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

. Murdoch was made an Honorary life member of the Himalayan Rescue Association of Nepal in 1988, and an Honorary member of the Holistic Health Society – Nepal, for "outstanding service and contribution in the health sector of Nepal" in 2017.

Selected publications

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References

External links

Murdoch's Inaugural Professorial Lecture
April 2014
Radio New Zealand stories involving MurdochOne Health Aotearoa
website {{DEFAULTSORT:Murdoch, David R. New Zealand academic administrators University of Otago alumni Academic staff of the University of Otago Vice-chancellors of the University of Otago Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Fellows of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology New Zealand scientists Living people 1962 births