Inaugural Lecture Showcase 2025

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Inaugural Lecture Showcase
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh
Tuesday 4 November, 5:00 - 7:30 pm

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine welcomes you to an inaugural lecture event where two of our professors from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies will share their career and research journey so far.

Dylan Clements - Professor of Small Animal Orthopaedics

Dylan Clements graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1997, having also intercalated degree at the University of Edinburgh in 1995. Initially he worked at the PDSA in Liverpool before completing a surgical residency and registrar post in Small Animal Orthopaedics at the University of Glasgow. Dylan returned to the University of Liverpool in 2004 where he was awarded a PhD for studies into the molecular genetics of canine osteoarthritis. In 2007 Dylan returned to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies as a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery, where he is involved in the clinical service, teaching and research into the genetic basis and functional aspects of canine osteoarthritis. In 2020 Dylan was awarded a Personal Chair of Small Animal Orthopaedics.

In spite of huge advances in the development of treatments for animals with injuries or disease, the lifestyle factors which predispose pets, especially dogs and cats, to these conditions remain poorly understood. In his talk, “Is it a Dog’s Life?”, Dylan will discuss his research which has endeavoured to understand what keeps dogs healthy over their lifetime, and how we can better assess their health to improve their lives.

Alastair Macrae - Professor of Farm Animal Health and Production

Alastair Macrae is a Professor of Farm Animal Health and Production, and Head of the Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service (DHHPS) at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh. The DHHPS provides independent consultancy advice to dairy, beef and sheep farms on all aspects of health and productivity, with the aim of preventing disease and maximising farm profitability. He is involved in teaching undergraduate veterinary students in all years of the course at Edinburgh, and research on all aspects of ruminant nutrition and health monitoring.

Feeding animals is an often overlooked but essential part of all farming enterprises. In his lecture, Alastair will show how feeding cows and sheep underpins many aspects of animal health and productivity, and how monitoring nutritional status is critical on modern farms. He will also highlight the role that new technologies can play in monitoring farm animal health and welfare.

Inaugural lecture showcase

Register for the event

5.00pm - 6.30pm - Inaugural lectures

6.30pm - 7.30pm - Drinks reception

The event is free and open to all.

Please indicate any dietary or access requirements when you register to attend.

Lectures are in-person only and will not be live-streamed. Recordings of the lectures will be available after the event.