Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Leading geneticist to speak at RCVS Fellowship Evening
Pictured: Professor Tim Spector.
Professor Tim Spector will deliver the keynote address. 

The RCVS has announced that Professor Tim Spector, the geneticist behind the Covid symptom app, will be giving the keynote speech at its Fellowship Evening.

Professor Spector, a genetic epidemiologist at Kings College London, worked on the Covid Symptom Study app, which was used considerably over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Alongside this, he has been studying a cohort of 12,000 twins for the past 25 years via the TwinsUK registry, working on the largest nutrition intervention of its kind.

The keynote address, entitled The Future of Personalised Nutrition, will see Professor Spector explain how factors such as sleep, exercise and meal times impact the body's microbiome profile, and how an understanding of these factors could influence the future of personalised nutrition. 

Commenting on Professor Spector's upcoming keynote address, Professor John Innes, chair of the Fellowship Board, said: “I look forward to both welcoming our new Fellows on board, and hearing from Professor Spector during his keynote address. 

“The Covid symptom-tracking app that he and his team developed has had clear real-world impacts in, for example, broadening the range of recognised symptoms of coronavirus for public health authorities. 

“Meanwhile, his personalised nutrition studies have also proven invaluable for research into diverse areas such as ageing, heritability and vision, as well as diet.”

The evening will see 38 new fellows formally welcomed by RCVS president Dr Kate Richards and Fellowship Board Chair Professor John Innes, and will be the culmination of a Fellowship Week, taking place between 30 September and 7 October 2021, which will see online activities take place, including talks by current RCVS fellows.

These talks will be From bovine embryo transfer vet to Wellcome Trust Clinical Intermediate Fellow, given by Dr Mandy Peffers, The integration of webinars within our practice, given by Dr Christopher Shales, and Some discoveries of novel diseases and concepts through diagnostic veterinary pathology, given by Dr Joan Smyth. 

Also given over the course of the Fellowship Week will be six fellows of the future presentation, where veterinary undergraduates and recent graduates will deliver talks on their academic research.

The six entries will be considered by a judging panel, and the winning presentation will be played in full at the Fellowship Evening. 

Professor John Innes commented on the Fellowship Week and Evening: “The Fellowship Week activities and Fellowship Evening are for veterinary surgeons at all stages of their careers, whether Fellows or not, and, indeed, for veterinary students as well. 

“The overall aim is to highlight the amazing knowledge and expertise contained within Fellowship and the veterinary professions as a whole and use this as an opportunity to share insights, information and inspiration.” 

Anyone wishing to attend the Fellowship Evening should contact the RCVS Events Team on events@rcvs.org.uk, and the evening be recorded and available to watch live here.  

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."