Submitted by J. Hudson on Tue, 03/10/2023 - 10:44
The Department of Veterinary Medicine is delighted to announce that Professor Mark Holmes MA, VetMB, PhD, FRCVS takes over the role of Head of Department from October 2023. He takes over from Professor James Wood OBE who will stay at the department and continue as Alborada Professor of Equine and Farm Animal Science.
Mark Holmes is a Professor in Microbial Genomics & Veterinary Science. Mark Trained as a Vet at the University of Cambridge, graduating in 1985. After a short period at a vet practice in Lancashire, Mark returned to Cambridge and joined the Department of Veterinary Medicine contributing to teaching in production animal medicine, cattle medicine, epidemiology, veterinary immunology, statistics, and clinical research methodology. He has a particular interest in Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine.
Mark Holmes’s role more recently focuses on research and investigates Antimicrobial resistance, Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Veterinary Research. His group discovered a new livestock-associated MRSA harboring a mecC gene. The gene was discovered during an epidemiological project looking at the transmission of S. aureus in dairy cows. The original isolate was whole genome sequenced and analysed in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.
Mark said “I am glad to take over the role of Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, assisted by a new set of Deputy Heads helping to share the load. This is a challenging time for the Vet School as we review the department and prepare for another round of accreditation. I would like to thank my predecessor, Professor James Wood OBE for his leadership over the past ten years, not only for the vision he brought to the role, but also for his patience and guidance over many years."
Outgoing Head of Department, Professor James Wood OBE, said "Professor Mark Holmes is extremely well qualified to take over as Head of The Department of Veterinary Medicine; he has huge experience of working in the collegiate university and has a strong background in research as a personal chair in the University. Importantly, Mark also has strong support from the excellent senior leadership team within the Department which is essential given the complexity of functioning of the veterinary school. I wish him all the best!!"
The role of Head of Department is to provide leadership for the Department, setting the strategic direction in research and teaching and fostering a collegiate, supportive and inclusive culture for staff and students. Appointments to the role are made by recommendation of the respective Faculty Board. We congratulate Mark as he takes over this role and look forward to working with him over the coming years.