Curriculum vitae
Academic
Educational History
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The University of Nottingham: May 2013 – August 2017
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The University of Liverpool: Sept. 2004 – July 2010
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The Royal Veterinary College, London: Sept. 2007 – June 2008
Academic Achievements to Date
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Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVetMed), December 2017
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Associate Teachers Programme (ATP), July 2016
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Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), July 2010: Pass with Distinction
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Intercalated BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Pathology, July 2008: First Class
Employment
Recent Employment History
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Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Lecture/Senior Lecturer in Animal Science: February 2018 to present
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Freelance scientific writing: April 2017 to present
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The University of Nottingham (UoN), Student demonstrator and facilitator: May 2013 to present
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The Park Veterinary Group, Leicester, Veterinary Surgeon: August 2010 to March 2020
Skills and expertise
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Digital content creation
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Science communication, public engagement
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Time management skills, ability to plan and execute projects to meet deadlines
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Lecture/classroom based teaching, module co-ordination and planning
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Clinical supervision
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Independent and team working
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Literature searching and appraisal, research data collection, statistical analysis
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Clinical veterinary skills across a variety of species (small, farm and zoo animal) and disciplines, with a special interest in cardiovascular medicine
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Project and event management
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Working knowledge of various programmes including Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Prezi, Canva, Acrobat/Adobe Reader
Honours, prizes and awards
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Commendation for teaching role on clinical rotation, Twycross Zoo; University of Nottingham Postgraduate Teaching Awards 2016
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2nd prize overall and commendation for media prize/press release; Research Showcase, University of Nottingham, 2016
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Prize for best Year 3/4 postgraduate presentation; University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015/16
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Prize for best Year 2 postgraduate presentation; University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine, 2014/15
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European representative, executive committee: The Great Ape Heart Project (USA)
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Advisory panel member, BIAZA Great Ape Welfare Group
Key academic presentations
Oral:
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British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) annual research conference, June 2016: “A detailed and standardised investigation into great ape cardiovascular pathology”
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British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) meeting, November 2015: “The use of quantitative behavioural observations to aid clinical decision making in zoos”
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European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) International Conference on Diseases of Zoo and Wild Animals, May 2015: “The Great Ape Heart Project: a model for collaborative disease investigation”
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GAHP executive committee meetings; January 2015, September 2015: “Getting to the heart of the matter: The (European) Ape Heart Project so far”
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British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS), November 2013: “Getting to the heart of the matter: An investigation into cardiovascular disease in captive great apes”
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European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Great Ape Taxon Advisory Group: preliminary (Spring 2015), full (Spring 2016): “A retrospective review of mortality in European zoo-housed great apes 2004-2014”
Poster:
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Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists, Annual Meeting, Manchester (UK), April 2017: “A comparison of cardiovascular effects of two different anaesthetic protocols in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)”. Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. Spring 2017 Meeting, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Joint EAZWV/AAZV/Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research conference, July 2016: “A large scale retrospective review of mortality among zoo housed great apes”
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Research show case, University of Nottingham, 2016: “What becomes of a broken (ape) heart?”
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British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) meeting, November 2015: “A standardised approach to post-mortem examination of the cardiovascular system in great apes”
Key academic presentations
Publications
Published papers:
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Kershaw, T.; Hall, E.J.; Dobbs, P.; Liptovszky, M.; Strong, V. An Exploration of the Value of Elective Health Checks in UK Zoo-Housed Gibbons. Animals 2020, 10, 2307. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122307
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Strong, V. et al. 2020. Idiopathic myocardial fibrosis in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Veterinary Pathology. 57(1): 183-191. DOI: 10.1177/0300985819879442
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Strong, V. et al., 2018a. A retrospective review of great ape cardiovascular disease epidemiology and pathology. International Zoo Yearbook. 52. DOI: 10.111/izy.12191
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Strong et al., 2018b. Guidelines for consistent cardiovascular post-mortem examination, sampling and reporting of lesions in European zoo-housed great apes. International Zoo Yearbook. 52. DOI: http10.111/izy.12191
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Strong, V. et al. 2017. A retrospective review of western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) mortality in European zoological collections between 2004-2014. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 48(2)
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Strong, V. et al. 2017. A comparison of cardiovascular effects of two different anaesthetic protocols in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. Spring 2017 Meeting, Manchester, United Kingdom. (Online abstract publication)
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Strong, V. et al., 2016. A systematic review of the literature relating to captive great ape morbidity and mortality. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 47(3), pp.697–710.
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Tsoleridis, T. et al. 2016. Discovery of Novel Alphacoronaviruses in European Rodents and Shrews. Viruses 18; 8(3), pp.84
Other publications:
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Strong, V. et al. A report on great ape mortality within European (and North American) collections from 2004 to 2014. EAZA Great Ape Taxon Advisory Group midyear meeting, April 2016
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Strong, V. et al. A Guide to Performing a Complete Standardised Echocardiographic Examination in Great Apes. April 2015. Freely available for download from: http://twycrosszoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/C2-Standardised-echo-protocol-April-2015.pdf
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Strong, V. et al. A Protocol for Basic Post-Mortem Examination and Sampling of the Cardiovascular System of Great Apes. February 2015. Freely available for download from: http://twycrosszoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/P2-Cardiac-postmortem-examination-and-sampling-protocol-update-Feb-2015.pdf
Other
Grants and bursaries
Nottingham Catalyst Partnership Fund: Public engagement in science grant for interactive educational sign, £500 grant
Volunteer and charitable work
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Fundraising for LOROS: Raised >£13,000 for local hospice, alongside family member
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Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (‘C.A.R.E.’), Summer 2008: Four weeks’ volunteer work at a baboon sanctuary in South Africa, assisting in the rehabilitation and care of injured, orphaned and ill-treated wild or wild-caught baboons.
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Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak, Borneo, Summer 2006: Four weeks’ volunteer work assisting in wild animal welfare development