PhD completions

Max Caplin successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled, ‘Synthesis of a 3D fragment collection by arylation of bridged bicycles’, supervised by Dr Dan Foley (senior supervisor) and Professor Antony Fairbanks (co-supervisor). Max zoomed in from Manchester and the viva voce exam was conducted by Associate Professor Bill Hawkins (Otago). Dr James Bull (Imperial College London) was the external examiner. 

Two Retirement Events

Jan Wikaira and Alison Downard both retired formally in 2021 but their farewells were delayed until late 2023.

Professor Alison Downard

The University of Canterbury bid a fond farewell to a trailblazer, mentor and esteemed academic, Professor Alison Downard. After an illustrious 33-year journey at UC, Professor Downard decided to embark on a well-deserved retirement, leaving behind a legacy that has significantly shaped the academic landscape.

Alison's journey at UC began in 1988 when she joined the Department of Chemistry, becoming the last addition to a cohort of young academics in the mid-1980s. In a poignant surprise, colleagues and students gathered for her final lecture, expressing their deep appreciation for her dedication and contribution to the university. Alison's academic odyssey traces back to her PhD titled, "Electron transfer reactions of organometallic clusters," completed at the University of Otago in 1979. Following a postdoctoral stint overseas, she returned to New Zealand, bringing her passion and expertise to the University of Canterbury. She was the second woman to be appointment to the chemistry academic staff, Vicky McKee having been the first just a few years earlier. She was the first UC woman to become a professor of chemistry.

In 2009, Alison achieved the pinnacle of her academic journey, attaining the prestigious title of Professor. Her excellence and commitment were further recognised as she became an Emeritus Investigator with the MacDiarmid Institute, solidifying her influence in the scientific community.

The year 2014 marked a milestone as Alison was honoured with the RH Stokes medal from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute for her distinguished research in electrochemistry. The same year saw her election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, a testament to her significant contributions to the field. In 2017, the Royal Society Te Apārangi featured Alison among their 150 women in 150 words, showcasing her impact on academia. Her scholarly pursuits are reflected in over 100 refereed papers on various facets of electrochemistry, contributing to the broader scientific knowledge. Alison's leadership roles, including her tenure as the Head of the Department of Chemistry from 2009 to 2010 and Associate Dean of Science from 1999 to 2004, demonstrated her commitment to the growth and development of the academic community.

Beyond the lecture halls and laboratories, Alison's influence extended into the great outdoors, where she fostered her passion for tramping. Colleague Bryce Williamson fondly recalls shared adventures and looks forward to more unrestricted tramping with Alison in her retirement.

Alison's legacy is a testament to her pioneering spirit and dedication to academia. The University of Canterbury expresses heartfelt gratitude to Professor Alison Downard for her invaluable 

contributions and wishes her a retirement filled with the joy of new adventures and the freedom to explore the great outdoors. You will be missed, Professor Downard!

Dr Jan Wikaira

Jan retired just short of her 78 th birthday having completed nearly 60 years of almost unbroken teaching at every level from pre-school to postgraduate chemistry. Jan was still 18 when she commenced teaching at Christchurch South Intermediate and was just 21 when she became Senior Woman (now Deputy Principal) at Beckenham primary. She swapped to secondary teaching when, in Jan’s own words, “they were so short of teachers they would put anyone who was alive and upright in front of a class.”  

​From East Otago High she went to Taumarunui High where she became 3rd Form Dean and the staff rep on the Board of Governors. During this time, she took a number of biology papers through Massey University.  On returning to Christchurch, she had a 0.9 biology position at Cashmere High school as there was now a teacher surplus and it was hard to get a permanent position. It was here that Margaret Austin suggested to Jan that she should try and complete her university studies.  

Jan felt there was no point in doing more biology if there was a teacher surplus so she asked the Department of Education where the shortages were. A tentative first year doing only economics and chemistry was the start of her chemistry studies and she graduated with a BSc in 1985. An MSc with Graeme Wright on “The metabolism of morphine in patients with acute renal failure” was followed by a PhD with Professor Vickie Mc Kee on “Macrocylic complexes of various metals”. This was completed in 1997 while working part time managing the X-ray crystallography lab with her co-supervisor Professor Ward Robinson. A postdoc at Brown University (1998 – 1999) followed and on completion she returned to the X-ray lab and supervised the first-year chemistry laboratories as a Senior Tutor in the Chemistry Department. 

During her Masters studies she had established and run a comprehensive demonstrator training and support programme in the chemistry department. In 2005 she won a University of Canterbury Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2007 she was appointed as a Lecturer, followed by a Senior Lecturer position in 2009.  

She has had a strong involvement with the NZIC having been on the Canterbury committee since 1988 and being the second woman to be President of the National Body in 2007. She was made a Fellow in 2012.

Since her retirement, Jan has continued her research collaboration with Professor Mark Turnbull at Clark University, is the co-supervisor of a physics student and volunteers with the Graduate Women Canterbury (GWC) Regalia women.