New Head of Pharmacy announced

02 Apr 2012

The University of Manchester has appointed Professor Kay Marshall as the new Head of School for the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Kay, a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, is currently Head of the Bradford School of Pharmacy, from which she graduated gaining a first with special honours in pharmacology.

Kay’s interest in hormones, both local and systemic, began as an undergraduate and she has continued her research in reproductive endocrine pharmacology focusing on conditions such as dysmenorrhoea and the diagnosis and management of pre-term labour.

However, she has also occasionally collaborated with psychopharmacologists on projects investigating the influence of the sex hormones on cognition. Recently she has also contributed to patient-facing projects focused on medicines reconciliation and adherence.

As a University lecturer Kay is an advocate of research-led teaching at all levels. She said: “I was profoundly influenced by the teaching of lecturers who were actively engaged with research, as their passion and enthusiasm for their subject was stimulating and engaging.”

In addition to contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy courses she has also written several postgraduate pharmacy learning packages and continuing education articles for other healthcare professions. Kay also practises life-long learning and, on first becoming a head of department, undertook an MBA to enhance her management skills.

Throughout her academic career Kay has maintained close links with the pharmacy profession and recognises the current challenges in pharmacy education and beyond and is excited by the possibilities that such change offers.

She added: “The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Manchester is well placed to capitalise on these opportunities, building on its rich history and excellent research.”

Dean and Vice-President of the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Professor Ian Jacobs, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to recruit Kay who has an outstanding reputation through leading the School of Pharmacy in Bradford. Under Kay’s leadership I am confident that our School will be seen as a leading national and international centre for research and education in pharmacy. This ambition will be supported by large-scale investment in staff mentoring and recruitment as well as the encouragement of cross-linking with other Schools and Institutes in the Faculty, with other Faculties and with MAHSC partners. The School is well placed to respond to the national changes in pharmacy education and to take advantage of the opportunities provided in Manchester by both MAHSC and the new Faculty structure/strategy.”

Kay takes up her position in Manchester on August 1.