Rate My Professor Megan Coleman

Megan Coleman is the Compliance Manager and Health and Safety Officer in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, within the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, where she has served for over 20 years. Dr. Coleman possesses a strong foundation in microbiological research, evidenced by her five peer-reviewed publications and 156 citations on ResearchGate. Her research interests have included the molecular diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, viable biomass assessment in dental plaque biofilms, microbiota responses to sucrose pulses in simulated oral environments, carbon source utilization patterns in plaque microcosms, and the impact of sucrose frequency on calcium and phosphate content in experimental dental plaque. Notable publications are "Rapid Molecular Diagnosis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rangipo strain responsible for the largest recurring TB cluster in New Zealand" (2017), "A fluorescence assay to determine the viable biomass of microcosm dental plaque biofilms" (2007), and "Microbiota of Plaque Microcosm Biofilms: Effect of Three Times Daily Sucrose Pulses in Different Simulated Oral Environments" (2007).

In her leadership role, Dr. Coleman has managed the department's Physical Containment Level 3 (PC3) laboratory since its establishment in 2013, authoring its operating manual approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries, creating all standard operating procedures, and training all personnel. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, she extended her responsibilities to support SARS-CoV-2 clinical sample processing, drafting virus-specific SOPs, conducting refresher trainings, and providing hands-on supervision through the lockdown. With extensive expertise in compliance for biological, chemical, and radioactive materials, she advises working parties, supports the Biological Compliance Officer in Ministry for Primary Industries audits and Eccles Building preparations, and participates in high-level compliance meetings. For her outstanding contributions, especially amid COVID-19 challenges, she was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff in 2020. Dr. Coleman's work ensures rigorous safety standards, facilitating cutting-edge research in infectious diseases, drug development, and vaccine studies.