Dr Wanda McCormick.

Dr Wanda McCormick to lead team of programme leaders and lecturers.

Hartpury University has announced the appointment of Dr Wanda McCormick as its new head of animal and agriculture.

Dr McCormick joins the institution after more than a decade working in animal welfare. She will head up a team of programme leaders and lecturers, with all research activity informing not only current industry practice but also the curriculum.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr McCormick said: “Having gained university status only relatively recently, in 2018, Hartpury is at a really exciting point in its development and I can see huge potential for us to become leaders in animal and agriculture.

“I have been lucky enough to supervise several students to successfully complete their PhDs as well as helping early-career researchers in other ways. I hope that my experience in these aspects will mean that we can grow an amazing portfolio of research alongside our excellent teaching."

She added: “It is brilliant for me to be in at the start working with an amazing team, plus who wouldn’t want to work somewhere with such an amazing animal collection – you can never see too many llamas, guinea pigs or cows!” 

Dr McCormick's passion for animal welfare began when she was a small child, caring for a menagerie of insects - including boxes of woodlice and snails!  Since then, she has gained a master’s degree in biological sciences and a doctorate in physiology, as well as occupying senior academic roles at other UK universities. 

Highlighting the importance of ensuring students are ready to move into the world of employment, Dr McCormick said: “Working with industry will allow us to further grow the employability of our graduates through their involvement in research that matters and enhanced work placement opportunities.

"Ultimately, they are studying with us as a way of improving their future lives so the more we can do to help them secure their dream jobs the better."

Image (C) Hartpury University.