The 40-year-old Dunedin School of Medicine pathology researcher has just been recognised internationally for his supervision of postgraduate students.
Associate Prof Chatterjee is the first person from the school to receive a United Kingdom Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Research Supervision Award.
"Supervising students and training the next generation of scientists is truly one of the biggest joys of my life, and it is very humbling to get recognised for it by UKCGE," he said.
"The main motivation for me to apply for this award was that it was a chance to reflect on my supervisory practices and principles, and I am pleased to get recognised for this internationally."
He has been a supervisor for almost a decade and has mentored more than 50 postgraduate students in that time — many of them were PhD candidates.
Prof Chatterjee said he believed research supervision was an evolutionary process, where learning and enhancing practice were a constant pursuit.
This was particularly true in present times, when student composition, societal makeup, economic drivers, funding constraints and student and university expectations from a research degree were changing rapidly, he said.
"So it’s important to adapt and become a ‘supervisor of modern times’.
"It is also important to take a holistic view of the student — their mental, physical and emotional situation, along with science and research — and help them to achieve their best."
Prof Chatterjee said he had a great supervisor while he was studying for his PhD at the Dunedin School of Medicine.
"The experience I got from Professor Ian Morison was highly positive and formative for me.
"Our lab group had diverse expertise in science and he encouraged me to ask questions.
"The style focused on development of independence and encouraged development of my own personality and style.
"My supervisor was instrumental to motivate me to achieve the best that I could from my own research degree."
He said supervising students was "highly rewarding".
"Each student is different in terms of their background, ability and potential.
"Being closely involved with them over their research degree, watching them grow as a person as well as a researcher and develop their capacities, is highly gratifying.
"Many of my students keep in touch, and continue to seek my advice and they have described how they feel safe and supported, and this is also very rewarding."
Prof Chatterjee said the award meant he was now a UKCGE-certified supervisor, and only the sixth University of Otago academic to receive the recognition.
