Professor Paul Cooper left his role of Head of Oral Biology, Director of Research and Deputy Head of School in November last year to take up a new challenge in New Zealand at the University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry as a Professor of Oral Biology.

Paul completed a BSc (Hons) in genetics at Leeds University in 1992 and went on to study a PhD at the University of Birmingham which he successfully completed in 1995.

After a number of molecular biology research positions in industry Paul came to the School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham in January 2000 as a lecturer in Oral Biology.

He quickly developed an international reputation in oral & dental research and was awarded the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Young Investigator Distinguished Scientist Award in 2010. He developed many research networks with other national / international universities as well as key strategic partnerships with industry. His research excellence was recognised by promotion to Professor of Oral Biology in 2012.

His broad portfolio of research activity focuses on the oral basic sciences with clinical translation in dentistry, working extensively with clinical colleagues to develop novel treatments and therapeutics. His research has covered stem cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, oral epithelial biology, pulp biology and endodontics, and periodontology.

He successfully led Birmingham School of Dentistry in the Research Excellence Framework in 2014 with our school achieving top of the national rankings for research outputs.

Paul has supervised dozens of PhD students, has published more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles published, and co-authored ten book chapters.

Paul will be missed but we wish him all the best in his new role.