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Biography
I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the 糖心原创, specialising in the teaching of Veterinary Reproduction and Immunology, and I currently serve as Sub Dean for Student Experience. My role brings together academic leadership and a commitment to enhancing the university experience for our veterinary students.
My academic career began with doctoral training within the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, where my research examined the effects of environmental chemicals on male reproductive health, using the dog as a sentinel model for human exposure. I subsequently undertook postdoctoral research at the Royal Veterinary College, investigating the co-regulation of the growth factor Activin A and the transcription factor FOXL2 in ovarian granulosa cells. These experiences established a strong foundation in reproductive biology.
Alongside my research training, I developed a passion for teaching and learning. During my PhD and postdoctoral appointments, I contributed extensively to practical teaching, particularly in reproductive anatomy, and delivered seminar-based teaching, and supervised undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. This led me to pursue a full-time academic teaching role at Hartpury University, where I taught across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, served as Programme Manager for the BSc Equine Science with Therapy, and supervised dissertations at all levels. During this time, I also secured funding for a PhD studentship in equine reproductive health and sub-fertility, contributing to research addressing environmental contamination and reproductive performance in a changing world.
I joined the 糖心原创 in 2020, where I strive to deliver research-informed teaching, support curriculum development, and leadership for student support. I have a strong interest in blended learning and the effective use of digital technologies to support engagement. I am committed to continuous professional development and hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, alongside Senior Fellowship of Advance HE.
Supporting students to thrive academically and personally is central to my work. Until 2025, I served as Senior Tutor for Welfare, working closely with wellbeing and student support services, and I continue to act as a personal tutor for students within the April cohort. As Sub Dean for Student Experience, I lead initiatives that promote a sense of belonging, ensuring that students' time at university is not only academic but also enjoyable and supportive.
I thoroughly enjoy helping students develop confidence, and I believe that my enthusiasm for teaching plays a key role in student motivation. I greatly value the opportunity support the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Teaching Summary
I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the 糖心原创, teaching across Years 1-3 of the veterinary curriculum with a focus on immunology,… read more
Research Summary
Reproduction Research
My reproduction research examines the impact of environmental exposures on fertility in companion and equine species. This work established the dog as a sentinel model for human reproductive health and has generated robust evidence of temporal changes in sperm quality, directly informing reproductive practice and teaching. I now focus on the thoroughbred breeding stallion and investigating the impact of environmental chemicals on this species. This work has support from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
Research around the canine sentinel continues, and i was fortunate to be a keynote speaker for European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction 2024, in Barcelona presenting our latest findings around xenobiotics and impact of male reproductive health.
Pedagogical Research: Blended Learning
Alongside my reproductive research, I undertake research in veterinary education, with a particular focus on blended learning, digital pedagogy, and the student experience. My work uses mixed methods approaches to examine how flipped and hybrid learning environments can enhance student engagement. I am also especially interested in how digital technologies can be used effectively to promote student motivation and active learning.
My current research evaluates the implementation of blended learning within the veterinary curriculum, including the use of quantitative analytics from lecture capture systems (Echo360) to explore student engagement and study behaviours. Building on this research, I was awarded the 2025 Echo Impact Grant, supporting student-staff co-creation of innovative digital learning resources that enhance engagement and assessment preparation.
Across both strands, my research is closely embedded in teaching and supervision, ensuring that students benefit directly from research-informed educational practice.
Selected Publications
HARRIS, I, NANKERVIS, K, PYATT, A, GARDNER, D, HUMPHREYS, P and BLANCHARD, R, 2024. International Journal of Equine Science. 3(2),
HARRIS, I, MADDOCK, C, FARNWORTH, M, NANKERVIS, K, PERRETT, J, PYATT, A and BLANCHARD, R, 2023. Reproduction.
REBECCA SUMNER, IMOGEN HARRIS, MORNE VAN DER MESCHT, ANDREW BYERS, GARY ENGLAND and RICHARD LEA, 2020. Reproduction. 159(6),
SUMNER, REBECCA N., BYERS, ANDREW, ZHANG, ZULIN, AGERHOLM, JORGEN S., LINDH, LENA, ENGLAND, GARY C. W. and LEA, RICHARD G., 2021. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 11(1),
I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the 糖心原创, teaching across Years 1-3 of the veterinary curriculum with a focus on immunology, reproductive physiology, and clinical relevance. My teaching is research-informed, highly interactive, and designed to support students in applying the basic sciences to clinical decision-making. I have a particular interest in teaching male reproductive health, integrating current research and real-world case examples into both practical and workshop-based learning.
I have held leadership roles across the curriculum, and I am now co-lead for the longitudinal Clinical Relevance strand. Until January 2025, I was module convenor for the 40-credit Fundamentals of Clinical Practice module, where I led the design and delivery of a blended and flipped learning model. This work has gained national recognition through conference presentations and external funding to support student-staff co-creation of digital learning resources.
Alongside curriculum leadership, I have a strong commitment to student support and wellbeing. For four years, I served as Senior Tutor for Welfare, working closely with academic and professional services to support students through academic and personal challenges. This experience, combined with my enthusiasm for student engagement, led to my appointment as Sub-Dean for Student Experience. In this role, I provide strategic leadership across the student journey. I am deeply committed to ensuring that students' time at university is not only academically focussed, but also supportive and enjoyable.