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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.  

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RCVS announces 1CPD app update

News Story 1
 The RCVS has announced a new version of its 1CPD mobile app, with enhanced features for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to record their continuing professional development.

The mobile app includes a new 'what would you like to do?' shortcut for frequent tasks, a notification badge, and the ability to scan a QR code from the home screen to easily record an activity.

Users will be prompted to update the app from the App Store or Google Play the next time they log in. For more information, visit RCVS.org.uk 

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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.