Dr Arlene McDowell - Class of 1989
University Academic, Pharmaceutical Science
Achievements at School:
• 1988 Macarthur CHSSA Open Hockey Premiers
• 1989 Certificate of Achievement in Geography
Achievements since School:
• 1993 Bachelor of Science (Hons) University of Melbourne
• 1999 Masters of Science University of Melbourne
• 1999 Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney, Australia
• 2000 Teaching Fellow, University of Otago, New Zealand
• 2005 PhD, University of Otago, New Zealand
• 2005 Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand
• 2011 Senior Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand
• 2011 Became a mother to a beautiful son
• 2015 Director, Undergraduate Programmes, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand
I have had an interest in plants and animals from a young age and I enjoyed studying biology at high school so I think it was a pretty natural progression that I studied science at university. Enjoying independence and creativity also set me along the path towards research. My research is focused on nanomedicines and understanding how to improve the delivery of therapeutic agents to both human and animal patients. A career as a university academic has been very stimulating, varied and rewarding. My position has also enabled me to travel internationally, something that I love to do.
Teaching and education is very important to me. I have a passion for sharing my interests through teaching and I find the interaction with students to be stimulating and particularly rewarding. Being able to inspire others to learn and achieve is a very worthwhile use of time.
Advice that I give to students as they embark on their next step of their career is to never feel “locked in” to a chosen career path – be open to new opportunities and go with what you enjoy doing.
