Page 40 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024

Professor Mark Fox retires from the RVC

Simon Priestnall, Dennis Jacobs and Ken Smith write

ur Professor of Veterinary studies on parasitic gastroenteritis Mark’s broad-ranging interest in
Parasitology, Mark Fox, (PGE) in cattle established the major parasite epidemiology and control
retired from the RVC in contribution that inappetence makes in domestic and wild animals has
OSeptember 2024 after 47 to poor liveweight gain and identified also encompassed recent work on
years of dedicated service in providing a key mechanism (hypergastrinaemia) blowfly myiasis in rabbits and warble fly
generations of veterinary surgeons, responsible for appetite depression in infestation in wild deer in collaboration
veterinary nurses and scientists with an parasitized calves. That study was with colleagues in the universities
understanding of the factors determining also memorable through Mark hiring of Bari, Bristol and Cambridge,
parasitic disease in animals and the a vehicle for field work that came with Agri-Food Canada (Lethbridge, Canada),
design of control strategies. the licence plate PGE! the Forestry Commission, the Natural
History Museum (London) and in the
Mark graduated with a BVetMed degree Mark’s work on Angiostrongylus Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics
from the RVC on 14th April 1977 vasorum in dogs and foxes and Public Health Group at the Royal
(the veterinary course at that time being established the distribution of Veterinary College.
four years and two terms long). After a angiostrongylosis in the UK, and
short period in small animal practice, also the importance of foxes as wildlife Notwithstanding Mark’s international
he returned to the RVC on the 13th reservoir hosts, and their role as a major reputation as a veterinary parasitologist,
of June 1977, subsequently obtaining source of parasite genetic diversity. Mark it is as an inspiring educator and a
a PhD in Veterinary Parasitology in has communicated this work on local TV, kind and patient teacher that he has
1982. He was appointed Lecturer in radio and the veterinary press. Mark’s made the greatest impact on his many
Veterinary Parasitology later the same research on the equine tapeworm, which friends, colleagues, students and alumni
year, promoted to Senior Lecturer in has a mite vector, demonstrated for the at the RVC. His skills in delivering
1994 and to Professor of Veterinary first time marked seasonal trends in the complex scientific ideas in an engaging
Parasitology in 2010. He co-founded prevalence of infected mites on horse- and entertaining manner is a great gift.
and acted as Co-Director for the Masters grazed pasture, and the impact that Outside work Mark is an avid
Courses in Wild Animal Health (1994) certain management practices have on ornithologist, an interest shared with
and Wild Animal Biology (2003), in tapeworm infection in horses.
collaboration with the Institute of Zoology
(Zoological Society of London), and took
over as Director of the RVC’s Contract
Research Unit from 2006 to 2014. Mark
was elected a Diplomate Member of the
European Veterinary Parasitology College
and a Fellow of the Higher Education
Academy in 2003.
Mark has made an outstanding
contribution to the advancement of
veterinary parasitology. During his
time on faculty here, he has educated
tens of thousands of students who have
subsequently developed their careers
across the UK and internationally.
His skills as an educator have been
recognised at both national and
international levels*.
In addition to his contributions as
a veterinary educator, Mark is an
internationally recognised researcher,
with over eighty publications in
peer-reviewed journals. His research
interests focus on the epidemiology,
pathogenesis and control of parasitic
infections domesticated and wild
animals, as well as humans. His doctoral
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