New Head of School appointments

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

L-R Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Professor Uma Kambhampati, Dr Nick Branch

We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new Heads of School: Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Chemistry, Food & Pharmacy; Professor Uma Kambhampati, Politics, Economics & International Relations (SPEIR); and Dr Nick Branch, Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science (SAGES). All three appointments will start officially from 1 August 2015.

Parveen has worked for the University since 1998, and has been School Director of Research 2010-­2014 and Director of Research for Food & Nutritional Sciences since 2013. Her research specialism is the influence of diet on immunity and inflammation and she is a Member of the BBSRC Diet and Health Research Industry Club Steering Group and a Fellow of the Association for Nutrition.

Uma has worked for the University since 1998 and was Head of School between 2008 and 2011. She is a development economist who works on intra-household decision making and gender-related issues within the household. She was co-Chair of the CHASSE Prosperity and Resilience Implementation Group.

Nick has worked for the University since 2008, and has been in the role of Head of Geography and Environmental Science since August 2014. His research specialism is Quaternary Palaeoecology and he is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (London) and an associate of the Centre for Past Climate Change, Walker Institute for Climate Systems Research and Soil Research Centre.

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell said: "In Parveen, Uma and Nick, we have three excellent colleagues taking over as Heads of School. They bring a wide range of knowledge and experience which will be invaluable as we move to new academic structures over the next 12 months. I am enormously grateful to Parveen, Uma and Nick for their willingness to serve the University in this way. I wish them all well for the future."

On her appointment Professor Parveen Yaqoob said: "I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to lead a School which has a strong and diverse research profile and excellent leadership in teaching and learning. I look forward to working with colleagues both within the School and across the University in managing the many changes ahead."

Speaking on her appointment Professor Uma Kambhampati said: "I am delighted to be appointed to the post of Head of School for SPEIR. The University sector is going through significant changes at the moment and I hope together, the School and the University can make the most of these changes in the interests of our research and teaching."

Speaking on his appointment Dr Nick Branch said: "I am delighted to be appointed to the post of Head of School for SAGES. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to build our reputation for teaching and research in archaeology, geography and environmental science."