School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

Professor of Evolutionary Genetics

I am Canadian and came to Glasgow in 2004, on a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Advanced Research Fellowship.  Although this was a two-career decision, Glasgow has offered an exceptional environment to support the work hard play hard ethic that I have always operated under.  The proximity of the highlands and the small town feeling of the west end offer endless opportunities for entertainment while the collaborative nature of the school provides a rewarding work environment.  I worked at academic institutions in Canada (Universities of Guelph and British Columbia), USA (University of Texas at Austin), Australia (University of Queensland) and the UK (University of Edinburgh) but Glasgow has suited me best.

I am currently Professor of Evolutionary Genetics, with four PhD students whose research spans a wide range of topics but all involve using genetic data to address questions related to conservation or disease ecology.  At the Glasgow University level, I am on the steering group for the college (MVLS) Generative AI for Education (GAINed) network, which is responsible for keeping up with the rapidly advancing developments and advising staff how to modify their teaching and assessments. However, this will also be a critical transition time for PGR students and I also hope to provide useful advice in this space.  I am involved in less formal support for early career researchers, acting as a mentor, providing advice on grants, and being asked by the University to assist with internal fellowship sift panels and mock interviews.  Helping early career researchers to pursue independent fellowships of their own has been one of my key priorities.  I currently chair of steering committee for NEOF, the NERC Environmental Omics Facility, and am external examiner for a PGT programme at the University of Edinburgh and an undergraduate programme at Sussex University. 

I spent much of my early career in male-dominated fields (herpetology, systematics, applied agriculture), which I think prepared me well for the challenges of academia, even when subsequently moving to less testosterone filled subjects.  I have also had some excellent female role models, including my sister, who is also an academic, but a few years ahead of me in the game.  I think that one of the early benefits of the Athena Swan initiative was to initiate supportive networks for academics at all career stages. For example, my decision to apply for promotion to professor (over 10 years ago now) was largely due to encouragement by a female researchers network that was set up here for that purpose. Without the support of the group, and not wanting to let the side down, I might have been tempted to delay until I was sure I would succeed (and I’m not sure I would get promoted now!).  Empowering younger researchers to progress their careers is one of the areas that I think deserves highest priority.

Senior University Clinician

I am a senior farm animal academic clinician, with a special interest in dairy calves and colostrum management.  I qualified from Glasgow vet school in 2005, so I have come full circle, experiencing both student and staff roles at the same institution. 

I was born and raised in South Africa to Northern Irish parents and lived in both countries.  Immediately after qualifying as a vet, I moved to Hamilton in New Zealand with my husband, ostensibly for a year’s ‘working holiday’ with a 20kg backpack each.  We ended up staying in Hamilton for 13 years and returned to Scotland with 2 children and a 20 foot shipping container! I suffered a catastrophic wrist injury while working as a dairy vet in New Zealand and was very fortunate to have the support of my bosses and mentors at Anexa Animal Health to embark on a Masters in Veterinary Epidemiology at Massey University in Palmerston North, during my recovery.  I used my newfound skillset to develop a consultancy veterinary business for dairy calves, as well as for dairy cow fertility and mastitis. I published multiple scientific papers together with other commercial research vets and industry partners in my role, which sparked my interest in publishing research, to precipitate meaningful on farm changes.  I also did a lot of work in knowledge exchange and translation of scientific literature (from my own research) to digestible information that could be used by farmers and my veterinary colleagues.  Following my Masters theme, I completed my PhD in colostrum management and calf passive immunity at Glasgow. 

In my university position I have continued in this ‘knowledge exchange’ vein, enjoying teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students and keeping abreast of the latest literature.  I have also been fortunate to be invited to present my work both nationally and internationally to farmers and other vets; motivating people to make changes to improve farm profitability and sustainability. 

It has been challenging working part time for a significant period, since my daughters were born and I often exceed my working hours to achieve my own personal goals.  I have mostly felt supported to work flexibly and to manage others’ expectations of me, but the ‘juggle’ cannot be underestimated!  As my girls become more independent (and with my husband’s support) I am now able to avail of more international travel opportunities, although over the years there have been many opportunities that I have had to forgo to fulfil my family commitments.  I think a ‘can-do’ attitude is much needed when embarking on clinical research on dairy farms and I am grateful to my many official (and unofficial) mentors for helping me to progress against all odds!  My personal attributes of tenacity and determination have also stood me in good stead, as research and the publication process is not for the faint hearted.

Professor of Veterinary Education

I am a Professor in SBOHVM and my route into and through academia has been unusual.  My background is as a practicing vet working in small animal general practice and emergency out of hours settings. I came to work for the University in a University Teacher role supporting final year vet students in their Charity practice rotations at the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) clinic in central Glasgow.  Through this role I developed an interest in veterinary education and was seconded to work on a curriculum change project for the Glasgow Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) Programme, while completing a part time Doctorate in Health Professions Education. 

I worked part time on a term time contract for most of this period which enabled me to have time off during School holidays and balance family life (I have two children in education) and work.  This, along with a supportive line manager and brilliant team of colleagues, has enabled me to take opportunities to broaden my academic role, progressing from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, and I was promoted to Professor in 2023.

I am now Deputy Head of School and BVMS programme director which are both demanding roles and I find managing the workload and responsibilities can be very difficult at times.  Retaining a part time working pattern has enabled me to make time to do things (such as football and gardening) that I enjoy out of work.  I find my job challenging but fulfilling and for the most part enjoyable.  Having a degree of flexibility and support from the School and from colleagues has been really important in helping me navigate the demands of work and family life. 

Professor of Veterinary Oncology

I moved to Glasgow in 1999 having completed a veterinary degree at Bristol, and both a clinical oncology residency training and PhD at Cambridge.  The latter started my career in human breast cancer research and through my supervisor’s contacts enabled me to be offered a part-time post-doctoral research position in Glasgow, while I had two young children and wanted more regular hours than I could obtain through clinical work. Prof Barry Gusterson was open-minded to women working part-time and was inspirational in showing me what it was like to be part of a leading research group.

My research experience helped me be appointed as Senior lecturer in Veterinary Oncology in 2003 and transition back to clinical work, although there was only one other part-time female employee at the time and there were few, if any adjustments to workload. It was incredibly challenging to develop the clinical service, continue research aspirations and engage in teaching and administration, as well as fulfil my family commitments as a mother. I certainly exceeded my official part-time working hours during the week over many years, and gradually became full-time as my children became more independent. I learnt to time- manage and be efficient, accepting that I could not always do a perfect job and that I had to let some opportunities pass me by, for the sake of my family and my sanity!  The vet school has been a very supportive place and has certainly become much more accommodating to part-time workers and those with caring responsibilities, over the years I have been here.

I was appointed Professor of Small Animal Oncology in 2016, and my short foray into non-veterinary scientific research certainly contributed to my success in achieving higher impact publications and establishing research contacts beyond the veterinary world. I am extremely grateful to all those collaborators in Glasgow who have willingly shared their help and expertise and provided unofficial mentorship.  In the clinics, I have been lucky to recruit many passionate vets and nurses to help me develop the oncology service and we have expanded this to install veterinary radiotherapy facilities in Glasgow, providing a valuable service to local vets and pet owners. In the small discipline of veterinary oncology, it has perhaps been less challenging to be a leader of the field, but I am proud of the reputation that Glasgow now has in veterinary oncology and how it benefits pets in the West of Scotland.

Professor (Host-Parasite Interactions & Pathogenesis)

I am a Professor and lead a parasitology research group and teach veterinary undergraduate students. I have worked at University of Glasgow for almost 30 years! Prior to that I was a Research Associate at University of California-San Francisco – this was a great experience, I learned a lot and worked with great people.

I think the positive attitude in the USA helped me be more determined to succeed in research when I returned to Scotland. Although I wasn’t successful in a few fellowship applications, I wrote a grant funded by BBSRC and received further funding from The Wellcome Trust. This funding, and teaching undergraduate Vet tutorial classes, helped me be appointed as a Lecturer. I gradually worked my way up by being awarded funding, establishing successful collaborations in the UK and internationally, publishing papers and taking on roles and responsibilities within the University and externally, which has been enjoyable, hard work, and a good way to work as a team.

Writing grants is effort and doesn’t always work out – but it happens to everyone and once over the disappointment, I try to stay creative and positive. Often I’ve learned from the failures, and projects and ideas can evolve and be adapted for other funding opportunities. I applied for promotion to Professor three times – I don’t give up easily! I now advise, provide feedback and encourage colleagues (usually female) considering promotion. I work long hours and enjoy reading papers, developing ideas and supporting younger researchers.

I have four sisters and I think I learned from a young age that we’re all different, have our own skills and attributes. Often it doesn’t help to compare ourselves with others – we’re all unique individuals.

I try to switch off from work at weekends and get out biking, running, walking and/or golfing – and Scotland is a great place for these. I’m inspired by sports people - the effort, disappointments, determination and achievements – like science research!

Selected awards and esteem:

• Co-organiser ZapWorms international helminth seminar series (zapworms.org)
• Chair of UoG MVLS Higher Degrees Committee
• BBSRC Grant Panel Member (2015-2020)