Published: 29 Nov 2021 | Last Updated: 29 Nov 2021 09:20:46

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is delighted to announce that Professor Oliver Pybus has been appointed to the position of Vice Principal for Research and Innovation and will be taking up the role on 1st March 2022.

Professor Pybus joins the RVC from the University of Oxford where he has had a distinguished career as Professor of Evolution and Infectious Disease at the Department for Zoology, as well as Professorial Fellow of New College, Oxford. He is also Co-Director of the Oxford Martin School Programme for Pandemic Genomics and Chief Editor of the journal, Virus Evolution. He specialises in the research of evolutionary and ecological dynamics of infectious diseases, particularly rapidly evolving RNA viruses of humans and animals, and has helped to establish the field of phylodynamics.

In recognition of his research over the years, Professor Pybus has been awarded the Scientific Medal of the Zoological Society of London in 2009, the Daiwa Adrian Prize in 2010, and the Mary Lyon Medal of the Genetics Society in 2019.

Succeeding Professor Jonathan Elliott who recently completed 14 years in the role, Professor Pybus brings his scientific skills and high-level advisory experience to the RVC, together with his awareness of the animal health sector as the institution embarks on its new five-year strategic plan.

Addressing the challenges of the post pandemic era will be at the forefront of the RVC’s research agenda as it seeks to maximise impact through innovation from new national strategic opportunities.

Of his appointment, Professor Pybus said:

“I am delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for veterinary research, which will play a central role in responding to the challenges of the 21st century, from food security to climate change and pandemics. I look forward to championing the RVC’s research community, developing its research strategy, and maintaining its reputation as a supportive and inspiring place to create world-class science.”

Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, said:

“I am pleased to welcome Professor Pybus to our senior team, building on a relationship with its genesis in genuine research collaborations. His strategic scientific steer will be critical to our development as the RVC moves into its next chapter – addressing the impacts of COVID-19, Brexit and the imminent REF2021 outcomes. With his international reputation and a commitment to translating science into policy, there could be no better time for this important appointment.”

The RVC has an outstanding track record in research, with some 80 per cent of its output rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. This appointment will further develop the RVC’s academic and research reputation and progress research and innovation capabilities, utilising its London BioScience Innovation Centre and expansive network of industry partners and collaborations. This will help drive research excellence to maintain the RVC’s position as the first-placed organisation in the QS world veterinary subject rankings and raise the profile of its research and knowledge exchange globally.

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact:

• Jasmin De Vivo (jasmin.devivo@plmr.co.uk) or rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. It was the first in the world to hold full accreditation from AVMA, EAEVE, RCVS and AVBC.
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in line with the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2021.
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.
• In 2017, the RVC received a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – the highest rating a university can receive.
• A research led institution with 79% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.