Page 22 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024

RVC HONOURS

During the RVC’s Graduation, on 10th July at Central Hall Westminster,

an honorary Fellowship was awarded to Elaine Acaster, and an honorary
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (honoris causa) to Bryan Charleston

Professor Bryan Charleston Elaine Acaster OBE
MRCVS FRS was educated in Edinburgh, Glasgow and
obtained a BVetMed from the Royal Veterinary College Newcastle-upon-Tyne, qualifying as a teacher prior
in 1982. He then entered large animal veterinary practice, to obtaining a professional Diploma in Dietetics.
focusing on herd health programmes in dairy cattle and As an NHS Dietitian she gained experience in
then specialising in bovine embryo transfer. He returned general, community and psychiatric hospital contexts,
to academia and studied for a master’s degree in and with another newly qualified Dietitian revived
molecular biology at University College London in 1988, lapsed dietetic services in West Lothian.
then a PhD degree, as a Wellcome Trust Scholar, at the Onward to the RVC as Assistant Principal with responsibility
University of London, in 1991. for delivery of academic and many business support services
His PhD studies were focussed on interferon induced genes to facilitate teaching, clinical work and research. The digital
in response to viral infection and also genes induced in the revolution transformed many of these support services and
endometrium of ruminants in response to interferon-tau she successfully brought together interdisciplinary teams.
production by the early embryo. Although students have been the central focus of her career,
the responsibility of Secretary to Council was added.
Bryan is the Director of the Pirbright Institute, with responsibility
to carry out research to control high consequence viral diseases
of livestock and zoonotic viral diseases in the UK and globally.
The Institute also develops the next generation of scientists to
improve animal health and support agricultural development,
which is a key driver for the alleviation of poverty and poor health.

Stephen May was awarded an honorary
Fellowship of the RVC at the annual Principals
dinner, in celebration of his wide-ranging career
highlights, and the impact of his work and
legacy, see page 38 to read more.

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