Members of the VitDAL regularly participate in a wide range of public engagement and outreach activities which highlight recent findings from our lab and encourage scientific understanding in the wider community.
Public lectures
Professor Mellanby has presented public lectures on the work of the VitDAL. In a recent talk, Richard and VitDAL postdoc Dr Iris Mair presented some of our research to a public audience. We discussed some of our patient based investigations alongside our recent experimental studies which have examined how vitamin D modulates the immune response. We always enjoy receiving feedback from the public and engaging with a wide audience is invariably informative as we plan future programmes of work. A public lecture which discusses the lab’s work can be viewed in full at the following link
Professor Mellanby’s inaugural lecture in 2018 can be viewed at the following link
Community groups
Professor Mellanby regularly discusses his work with community groups. In the photo, Richard is showing how we use endoscopy to help diagnose and treat diseases in dogs to a group of enthusiastic Symington beavers.
Widening participation
Professor Mellanby regularly takes part in widening participation event which encourages all school children across our local area to consider a career in science and veterinary medicine. Schoolchildren regularly visit the Easter Bush Campus which allows clinicians to discuss aspects of our work and the exciting and diverse opportunities which exist for students interested in science
School visits
Professor Mellanby has visited schools to discuss how advances in science can lead to dramatic improvements in the well being of communities and wider society. Here Richard is taking about his work to a group of schoolchildren from Coulter Primary School.
Public events
Professor Mellanby regularly represents the vet school at local, national and international events. Here Richard is discussing recent developments on the Easter Bush Campus at the Highland Show.
Media
The research of VitDAL has been widely featured in the press including local, national and overseas newspapers, various websites, local and national radio and television. A few of the press articles which were printed following publication of our Soay sheep vitamin D research are shown.
Clinical Club
Professor Mellanby regularly presents CPD to practitioners at local, regional and national meetings. He organises a monthly CPD clinical club at R(D)SVS where recent advances in clinical practice are relayed to local practitioners. Further information can be found at the following link
Continuing Profession Development
Professor Mellanby regularly presents updates and overviews of calcium and vitamin D homeostasis and disorders to veterinary practitioners. He has presented talks on vitamin D disorders to international eg ACVIM Congress, ESVE Summer School, national and regional BSAVA and BVA conferences and meetings.