BVA Scottish Branch – Meet your newest Branch Council Members

2018 was been a brilliant year in Scotland for policy progress and legislative wins for animal health and welfare. However, all of this wouldn’t be possible without the input of our members, which is why the real icing on the cake for me was last year’s great upturn in member engagement. Testament to this was the numerous high-quality applications we received to become BVA Scottish Branch Council members. All applications were a brilliant reflection of the strong passion and expertise that our members in Scotland have in abundance. A big thank you to all members that took the time to apply.

Having deliberated over an incredibly strong batch of applications, the BVA Nomination and Awards Group appointed 6 members to fill our Branch Council vacancies based on their relevant skills, experience and expertise. So, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to our newest Scottish Branch Council members:

Lawrence John Brown

Lawrence graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2010 and is the ‘Animal Sciences and Aquaculture Sector Specialist’ for the Department for International Trade (DIT). As an independent consultant, he is also helping to set up an R&D facility for a South Asian biotechnology company at the Roslin Innovation Centre.

Lawrence is interested in animal science innovation and agricultural technology, driven by the sustainable production of protein. He has practised as a veterinarian across three continents as well as time in pharmaceuticals. Lawrence is studying for an Executive MBA at the University of Edinburgh.

Kirsty Miller

Kirsty studied veterinary science abroad in Warsaw, graduating in March 2018. Upon graduating Kirsty took her first job in the Highlands at Strathspey Veterinary Centre.

She also set up the North of Scotland Young Vet Network Group which is going from strength to strength.

Romain Pizzi 

Romain Pizzi is a wildlife veterinary surgeon, with a particular focus on animal welfare. He works with wildlife projects on 5 continents for numerous charities and governments across a variety of species, and holds a PhD in minimally invasive surgery in wildlife.

He is founder of Wildlife Surgery International, and works for the Scottish SSPCA National Wildlife Rescue Centre, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and is an honorary assistant professor at the University of Nottingham.

Romain is on the Clinical Advisory Board of Surgical Innovations PLC a veterinary advisor to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and is a member of the IUCN Wildlife Health Specialist Group. He is an RCVS and European recognised specialist, and Fellow of the RCVS.

Mary Fraser

Qualifying 24 years ago, Mary has a variety of experience within the veterinary profession – working in rural, mixed practice in the far North and then South of Scotland as a new graduate assistant; setting up and running her own small animal practice in Perthshire; working in universities as a lecturer, referral vet and researcher.

Mary has served on several committees – BSAVA Scottish region and Education, VN Futures, and the Editorial Board of Veterinary Evidence. She is Head of Skills and Talent with the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre.

Gareth Hateley

Qualified Cambridge 1986, Gareth spent 18 years in mixed mainly large animal practice- West Yorkshire, then Oxfordshire including 12 years as partner. A back problem, precipitated Gareth’s move to the Civil Service, where he has spent 10 years as Veterinary Investigation Officer doing lab-based pathology and farm work in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Gareth is an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Cattle Health and Production and hold the CertCHP. For the last 4 and a half year Gareth has led the APHA Cattle Expert Group, a UK wide group providing cattle expertise to govt and industry on disease surveillance. Gareth has also served on the BCVA Board for over 10 years - as editor of Cattle Practice, Secretary, then President 2014-15. He was BCVA rep on the BVA Council for 3 years.

Katie Mellanby

Katie qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2000. Her first job was in a truly mixed practice in Worcestershire after which she stayed in small animal practice working across the UK. In 2007, Katie joined Biobest labs as a vet advisor to predominantly work on Cattle Health Schemes where she stayed for 6 years whilst still locuming in practices in the area.

For the last 3-4 years Katie has worked for the University of Edinburgh, where her role is hugely varied. She is based at the Hospital for Small Animals and is also involved in Client Services, Public Engagement and promotion of the clinical services.

Get involved

I think it’s really important to emphasise that engagement doesn’t just start and end with membership of Scottish Branch Council. There are other ways of engaging with BVA Scottish Branch and we’d love for you to use them to keep the momentum of our Scottish Branch going.

We’d really value your comments and views on the issues of interest to you in Scotland.

Get in touch via:

• Melissa Donald BVA Scottish Branch President, or
• Emma Callaghan, Representative to BVA Council and BVA Scottish Branch Officer

Recent graduates and young vets should also look out for upcoming social and CPD events with their local Young Vet Network group. In Scotland we have groups for East of Scotland, Glasgow and North of Scotland, check out their Facebook pages to see how you can get involved.