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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th May 2022
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

RVC professor elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Professor Oliver Pybus' work aims to understand how evolutionary and ecological processes interact in natural populations.

Professor Oliver Pybus' work has contributed significantly to the COVID-19 response. 

Professor Oliver Pybus, vice-principal for research and innovation at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), has received the highest recognition of scientific achievement in the UK, being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship comprising some of the most eminent scientists, engineers and technologists from the UK and the Commonwealth. Members are elected for life through a peer-review process based on excellence in science. 

Professor Pybus' work aims to understand how evolutionary and ecological processes interact in natural populations. His career has seen him develop tools for inferring population dynamics from gene sequences  and show how analysis of pathogen genomes can provide new insights into virus epidemic history and transmission. 

Professor Pybus' work has also contributed significantly to the COVID-19 response - with the role of virus genomics made feasible in part by ideas he and colleagues developed and applied to other viruses over the previous 20 years. 

His published work includes a high-profile analysis of the mass introduction of COVID-19 into the UK via international travel and the development of the lineage naming scheme (B.1.1.7, BA.1 etc...), helping inform public health and public discourse throughout the pandemic. 

Professor Pybus also holds a Professorship in Evolution and Infectious Disease at the University of Oxford and a Professorial Fellow of New College, Oxford. He was awarded the Scientific Medal of the Zoological Society of London in 2009 and the Mary Lyon Medal of the Genetics Society in 2019. 

Professor Pybus said: “It is a great honour to be elected a Royal Society Fellow, and humbling to join scientists past and present who inspired and influenced me as a student. I hope to use my position to better support and mentor the researchers of the future. Modern science is a team effort and I am deeply grateful to my collaborators and colleagues, without whom my work would not have been possible.”

Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President and Principal of the RVC, added: “Recognition by the Royal Society is amongst the very highest scientific accolades internationally and I am delighted for Oliver. He brings distinction to himself, his collaborators and his discipline and I am grateful to count him a senior colleague in the leadership team here at the Royal Veterinary College.”  

Image (C) RVC.

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

Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.