The University of Birmingham is delighted to announce that Professor Myra Nimmo today begins her role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences to drive forward Birmingham’s ambitious plans to be a leading global centre for teaching and research in this area.
Professor Nimmo – a former track and field Olympian – was previously Professor of Exercise Physiology and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Loughborough University.
Announcing the appointment, Professor Sir David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, said: ‘Following an intensive search for an outstanding Head of College and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, we are delighted to announce Myra’s appointment. Myra has an impressive track record of academic achievement, experience, and a clear vision for Life and Environmental Sciences.
‘I would also like to thank Professor Kevin Chipman, the retiring Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College, for his research and considerable achievements during his time here.’
Professor Nimmo said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the University of Birmingham and look forward to working with colleagues to build on Birmingham’s existing excellence and to deliver world-leading Life and Environmental Sciences teaching and research with impact.’
Professor Nimmo graduated in Physiology from the University of Glasgow before completing a PhD on the effects of anabolic steroids on thoroughbred racehorses at the University's Veterinary School.
She won a Wellcome Research Fellowship to investigate the contribution of heredity to skeletal muscle fibre types, which was followed by a series of academic appointments in Glasgow, culminating in a Personal Chair in Exercise Physiology at Strathclyde University in 1993.
In 2007, Professor Nimmo moved to Loughborough University as Professor of Exercise Physiology and Dean of School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, where together with colleagues she was the founder member and led the development of the East Midlands National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. Funding was gained from the Department of Health to build the new National Centre on the Loughborough campus and from the Hefce Catalyst Fund to support the activity within the National Centre.
Professor Nimmo’s personal research has recently been as Loughborough’s Principal Investigator on the Leicester and Loughborough Biomedical Research Unit investigating diet, lifestyle and physical activity. Her work has therefore focused on the metabolic adaptations associated with exercise interventions in patients ‘at risk’ and suffering from metabolic syndrome.
In August 2012, she took up the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Loughborough University and led the University’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission, as well as developing the University’s research around six Key Challenges.
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For more information, please call Deborah Walker on +44 (0)121 414 6681 or email d.s.walker.1@bham.ac.uk. Outside of office hours, please call +44 (0)7789 921165 or email pressoffice@contacts.bham.ac.uk
- The University of Birmingham was recognised for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation by being named The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2013–14.
- The College of Life and Environmental Science is dedicated to exploring and learning about the diversity and evolutionary challenges of life in all its forms. The College of Life and Environmental Sciences uses training, fieldwork and excellent facilities to enable students to learn generic and discipline-specific skills while studying exciting topics, ranging from ecology through to cancer research and forensic psychology.