Celebrating British Science Week – Part 2
British Science Week is now in full swing! Today we’d like to celebrate even more of our fabulous Woodrow House team and get to know them…
Frances Barr
Position at BSAVA: Online education coordinator
What is your scientific background?
I qualified as a vet from Cambridge in 1979. Worked in mixed practice in Kent for 4+ years before moving to University of Bristol to work in the Department of Surgery. I became a specialist in diagnostic imaging and, while working each day as a clinician, I completed a PhD, and authored or co-authored more than 60 scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals – most in the field of diagnostic ultrasound. I received financial support for my scientific work from Petsavers and from the RCVS Alison Alston canine award. I received both the BSAVA Woodrow and Blaine awards, and in 2017 became FRCVS.
How does your background tie in with your role at BSAVA?
In 2010 I moved from the University of Bristol to take up the new role of Head of Education at BSAVA, with the remit of developing the new PGCerts. Although this didn’t directly use my background in diagnostic imaging, my experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level was invaluable. I also found that the problem solving skills used each day as a clinician were transferable and allowed me to work with many others within and outside BSAVA to scope and work through the project. I’m now semi-retired, working part-time as online education coordinator, and enjoying the ongoing contact I have with the PGCertstudents.
How did you first become interested in your subject area/veterinary science?
In veterinary medicine as a child, and this was strengthened by periods seeing practice and working on farms during my teenage years. I became interested in diagnostic ultrasound when I first moved to work at Bristol, encouraged by my supervisor Dr Christine Gibbs.
What are your biggest achievements?
Were being able to extend the clinical knowledge available at that time on the use of diagnostic ultrasound in small animals, being able to apply that knowledge to the benefit of the patients I worked with, and to share that knowledge with others. And to be able to combine that with family life.
Nicola Lloyd
Position at BSAVA: Commissioning and Managing Editor
What is your scientific background?
I have a BSc(Hons) in Zoology and a MSc (with distinction) in Science, Culture and Communication. I have worked STEM publishing for the past 17 years with a primary focus on veterinary medicine.
How does your background tie in with your role at BSAVA?
I always enjoyed the literary research and communication aspects of my studies and wanted that to form the basis of my career, so when a position became available in scientific publishing, it seemed like a perfect match.
How did you first become interested in your subject area/veterinary science?
I have been interested in biological sciences from a young age and even used the book voucher I was awarded at school to purchase David Attenborough’s Life on Earth. Years later, I was fortunate enough to see him deliver the Stamford Raffles lecture on Bird artists and artist birds at the Zoological Society of London.
What are your biggest achievements?
One of my early achievements was reaching the shortlist for funding from the Association of British Science Writers. This competition involved taking an article from a peer-reviewed journal and writing a news story for the popular scientific press. More recently, it would be the stewardship of the BSAVA publications, helping to maintain and develop this important resource the veterinary profession.
Sophie Graham
Position at BSAVA:
Practical Course Coordinator, Education Team
What is your scientific background?
I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse
How does your background tie in with your role at BSAVA?
I use my knowledge from working as an RVN to source all sorts of common and obscure equipment and consumables for practical CPD courses. I have also devised and run online CPD for veterinary nurses, using my experience as working as a clinic nurse in practice. I also try my best to answer veterinary nurse related questions asked by other staff members who are not from a veterinary background.
How did you first become interested in your subject area/veterinary science?
I had wanted to be a vet when I was very young. My parents were big animal lovers, so we had a menagerie of weird and wonderful pets. I enjoyed caring for them and reading about the different species and their specific needs. I have also always been very interested I biology, so felt that a hands-on role in animal care, where I could also attend college and gain a science-based qualification, would suit me and soon decided that, actually, veterinary nursing was the perfect career for me.
What are your biggest achievements?
I was very proud to complete my Diploma in Feline Nursing with Distinction. I have also won a couple of awards from my work as a Pet Health Counsellor in practice, including 2nd place at the Pet Health Counsellor of the Year Awards in 2014.