Black History Month 2021
October is Black History Month (BHM) in the United Kingdom, a month that celebrates the contributions and achievements of black people and communities, throughout the globe.
BHM gives us an opportunity to learn more about black history and culture, and to celebrate the contributions of our black communities. This month is also a time when we should reflect on, and reinforce our commitment to fighting racism. We celebrate BHM with recognition of the value of diversity and inclusion in our College and beyond.
This year’s theme is ‘Proud to Be’ and the RVC, and are all pleased to stage a series of events that will celebrate and showcase the invaluable contributions, experiences and heritage of our black community. These will include resources for students and staff, invited keynote speakers, and film screening.
Black History Month - Staff Role Models
As we value and recognise the principals of diversity and inclusion, Black History Month is also a time to reflect on the part we, the RVC community, play in creating an environment where all Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students are respected, valued and treated fairly. The RVC is committed in its duty to challenge prejudice, combat discrimination and promote equality.
Yvonne Mercer, Management Accountant
I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Ghana in 1999, before coming to the UK in 2001. I then studied for a professional accountancy qualification with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), qualifying in 2008. In 2017, I graduated with an MSc from the University of London International Programmes.
I obtained my first accounting role in the UK in 2003, working with Waltham Forest College in a part-time role. I joined the Higher Education Sector in 2009, when I worked with the Institute of Education, University of London as a Project Accountant, and then the RVC in 2013. Before that, I worked with the Medical Research Council and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
Dr Donald Palmer, Associate Professor of Immunology
I am an Associate Professor of Immunology at the RVC and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Immunology at Imperial College London. Prior to joining the RVC in 2002, I worked at Imperial College London and Cancer Research UK. I attended Bradford University, King's College London and obtained my PhD at MRC Clinical Research Centre, Northwick Park Hospital. My main research interest is focused on understanding the effect of age on the immune system. I teach on several undergraduate courses at the RVC and am currently Senior Tutor. I also supervise undergraduate and ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ projects.
I am on the Editorial Board of various scientific journals and am currently Education & Careers Secretary of the British Society for Immunology. I am highly committed to the public engagement of science and widening access to Higher Education and contribute to several projects and organisations. . I am Chair of Governors to a school in North West London.
Dr Christine Thuranira-McKeever, Director of Distance Learning Programmes
I am the Chair of the Equality and Diversity Committee and Director of Distance Learning at RVC. In my academic role, I have responsibility for academic leadership and strategic direction for a number of ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ distance learning programmes and the Professional Doctorate Programme. I contribute to the teaching on these programmes and in other RVC courses. I am a Commissioner of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK and am also a member of a number of other educational networks. Prior to joining the RVC, I worked at the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, in the University of Edinburgh.
After graduating from the University of Kent at Canterbury and the University of Manchester, I went to work for the International Committee of the Red Cross, where I spent some time working in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa regions supporting communities whose livelihoods had been devastated by conflict. This marked the start of my enduring interest in international development and supporting marginalised communities. I then moved to working in research at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi/Addis Ababa. Following my time at ILRI I embarked on a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, looking at the economic costs of livestock disease to smallholder farmers in developing economies.
My motivation has always been to undertake work that has real impact and I am committed to promoting equality and inclusivity in every aspect of the work I am involved in.
David Maruta, Chief Information Officer
I am the Chief Information Officer and chair of the IT Operations and Management Group at the RVC. In my role, I am responsible for defining the IT strategy, and overseeing the operational activities to ensure that IT services are efficient, effective and tailored towards the evolving requirements of the College. I am responsible for the security of our computer systems and information assets.
I took my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Hertfordshire and pursued a career in software engineering in the private sector before moving to the NHS, and then to the RVC in 2009. I have since gained a Master’s degree and progressed into my current role as the College’s CIO.
I am passionate about equality and diversity, and I actively support initiatives to create a level playing field, where opportunity is available to all, and reward is based on merit.
Professor Emmanuel Ciprian Amoroso (1901- 1982)
As we draw a close to Black History Month and in line with this year’s BHM theme of Proud to be…. I am pleased to share the reflections of RVC emeritus Professor Peter Lees on Professor Amoroso, who was a pioneer in the veterinary world and was the first black staff member employed by the RVC in 1935 (see below). During his life, Professor Amoroso received a number of awards, which reflected his achievements and contributions. He left behind his legacy - the Amoroso Award. This award was instituted in his memory and is presented for outstanding contributions to small animal studies by a non-clinical member of University staff. Peter Lees was the first recipient. The Amoroso Lecture was established in 1984 in his honour.
Amo, as he was generally known, was an extraordinary character. Latin scholars will know that his shortened name means simply “I LOVE”. And love he did – his fellow humans, life, challenge and science. A Trinidadian (one of 12 siblings) who studied Medicine in Dublin, he graced the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ with his presence from 1935 to 1968; he was the first staff member of colour at the RVC.
In the history of RVC, he has, I believe, pride of place as a scientist. He remains number one. His specialisms were reproductive physiology, placentation, anaesthesia, pharmacology and many more. He received many prizes, honorary doctorates, public honours (CBE) and, most significantly, Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1959, followed by a Honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1960. He was fluent in five languages and had some knowledge of Arabic; he was a gifted orator.
Professor Roger Short (Reproductive Biologist) wrote of him many years ago:
That he was able to overcome the prejudices of race and colour, so prevalent in British society in the earlier decades of this century, is a tribute to his great personal charisma, his ability to speak in many tongues and so endear himself to people in nations and cultures very different from our own, and to the sheer force of his intellect.
Professor Amoroso’s philosophy:
Consider the past for what is relevant to the present. Consider the present for what is relevant to the formation of the future. Consider the future for what may most enlarge man’s freedom and fulfilment.