Starting his career in 1979 as a trainee technical officer at Auburn Hospital, Peter accumulated specialised lab experience in communicable diseases, especially enteric and foodborne diseases.
Now based at the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR) Laboratory in Westmead Hospital, Peter retired from the NSW Enteric Reference Laboratory on Thursday.
He says he has enjoyed experiencing all the changes in pathology during the past 42 years from trainee to senior scientist in charge of a lab.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been training junior staff and nurturing their love of ‘the thrill of the chase’ during food poisoning outbreak investigations,” he said.
Throughout his career, Peter has provided technical advice on the management of numerous foodborne disease outbreaks, liaising with the Ministry of Health, the NSW Food Authority and Public Health Units around the state.
ICPMR has also played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic – being actively involved in disease outbreak investigations.
Fellow college Professor Vitali Sintchenko said Peter had been a part of the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services since the beginning.
“I will miss his expert advice and friendship and his amazing capacity to recognise – by force of his intuition built on years of experience – the potential outbreaks of salmonellas and listerias.”
Peter is looking forward to spending time with his wife Sue as well as pursuing his passion for bonsai farming.
