This week staff from across the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences descended on the Leahurst campus for the IVES Research and Teaching Retreat.
Despite the sub-zero temperatures, the event was well attended, delivering a mix of focussed sessions, tours and talks with plenty of opportunities for discussion and networking.
The day started with parallel sessions on grant writing, data visualisation, applying for research fellowships and an introduction to qualitative research. This was followed by a tour of the impressive facilities at the Equine Hospital and Small Animal Teaching Hospital.
After a break for lunch and networking, the afternoon’s talks were opened by session chair Dr Jo Fothergill. Talks covered the wide breadth and diversity of research across IVES and its departments, from digital dermatitis in cattle, a multicentre clinical trial in horses, vaccine candidates for liver fluke and the role of phage therapy in the treatment of multi drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other topics included implementation science, visual learning, nematodes in wild rodents and trypanosomatids in Drosophila.
The day closed with the IVES staff awards. These were an opportunity to celebrate staff from across the Institute, with over 140 nominations received from staff and students.
Professor Nicola Williams, Deputy Executive Dean of the Institute said: “It was really great to get our staff and our students together for our first face to face retreat since Covid-19. It allowed colleagues across departments and campuses to hear about, and have the opportunity to discuss, the research we do. These events are so important for promoting collaboration and building our research and teaching community.”
Award winners
Adaptability – Sue Dobson, Research Nurse
Best Newcomer – Joint Winners – Charles Milford, Clinical Skills Technician, Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology and Caroline Millins, Tenure Track Fellow, Livestock and One Health
Collaborator – UoA6 REF Committee (Greg Hurst, Paul Wigley, Jenny Duncan, Jane Hodgkinson, Jackie Lee, Richard Mercer - and others)
Early Career Researcher of the Year - Krishanthi Subramaniam, Tenure Track Fellow, Infection Biology and Microbiomes
Excellence in a Supporting Role – Emma Kelly, Pharmacy & Procurement Administrator, Equine Clinical Science
Innovator/Creator Award – Sandy Shanklin, Equine Clinical Science
Inspirational Leader – Nicola Williams, Professor and IVES Deputy Executive Dean, Livestock and One Health
Mentor - Siobhan Mor, Reader, Livestock and One Health
Enhancing Student Experience - Rosie MacDiarmid, Lecturer, Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
Technical Excellence - Catherine Hartley, Research Support Technician, IVES Professional Services
Unsung Hero - Ruth Harvey, Student Experience Administrative Assistant, IVES Professional Services
Wellbeing Supporter - Helen Braid, Lecturer, Equine Clinical Science
Great Team - Equine Practice Team (Reception and Vets), Equine Clinical Science