Peter Cosman, Associate Professor

Peter Cosman concluded his undergraduate studies in Arts and Medicine at the University of Sydney in 1994. After completing his internship at Repatriation General Hospital, Concord in Sydney, he commenced surgical training at Westmead Hospital in 1996. He interrupted his training to undertake research at the University of Sydney in 2000, leading to the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He attained his specialist qualification from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2005, and completed further training as an upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic surgeon before commencing practice as a Visiting Medical Officer in South Western Sydney in 2007.


Since his appointment, he has been developing a practice that covers all aspects of upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic surgery, including surgery for cancer of the pancreas, oesophagus, and stomach, surgery for complex gallstone problems and pancreatic diseases, surgery for weight loss, and surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia. He also performs surgery for hernia, emergency surgery, and trauma surgery.

Professor Cosman has also been active in conducting clinical research aimed at improving the diagnosis of cancer, better understanding the nature of gastrointestinal cancers, and providing cancer patients with better treatment options. His research also covers human factors in medicine, patient safety, and surgical education, especially simulation-based methodologies. The outcomes of his research have been published in world-leading medical journals and presented at national and international meetings. He is frequently invited as a speaker at conferences and functions across Australia and around the globe.


His teaching activities include formal and informal teaching activities for medical students, junior doctors and nurses, postgraduate healthcare professionals, specialist surgical trainees, and others. He has held University appointments at the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, and now at the University of Western Sydney. He also contributes to the training of surgeons both in the hospital environment and through involvement with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.