Dr Saira Khurshid Akhtar

Teaching Fellow

Department: Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Campus: Camden

Saira is a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Based at the Camden Campus, she teaches Anatomy and related subjects to students on the BVetMed, Graduate (Accelerated) BVetMed, Gateway and BSc Biological and Bioveterinary Sciences courses. 

Saira graduated from the RVC in 2016, with an intercalated degree in Zoology in Relation to Veterinary Medicine from the University of Leeds (2013). She worked as a Veterinary Surgeon in first opinion small animal practice before returning to the RVC as an Anatomy Demonstrator in 2019. In 2022, Saira became a Teaching Fellow, where she enjoys sharing her knowledge of clinically relevant anatomy with students. She holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is currently completing a Diploma in Veterinary Education. 

Saira is an academic tutor for BVetMed and GAB students. She received the RVC's James Bee Student Choice 'Top Tutor' Award in 2021 and was nominated again in 2024. She has a Level 5 Award in Coaching and Mentoring from the CMI and is an active member of the RVC's Staff Coaching Network.

Saira is passionate about environmental sustainability and is the Sustainability Champion for the Veterinary Medicine Course Management Committee and a member of the RVC's Environmental Sustainability Committee. She leads the Anatomy Teaching Environmental Sustainability Working Group who won a Silver Green Impact Award in 2024. She is the RVC's Planetary Health Report Card School Lead and also an RVC Representative for Vet Sustain's Curriculum Working Group.

Saira is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Member of the Royal Society of Biology, Full Member of the Anatomical Society, Member of Early Career Anatomists and Member of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences, where she serves as Education Officer on the IAS Council. 

Saira is a member of the Support Hub for Anatomy Research Education (SHARE) at the RVC. 

Conference Papers

Akhtar, S. and Previdelli, R.L. (2024) 'Students’ Perspectives on the Use of Innovative Computer-aided Learning Tools in Veterinary Anatomy Education', International Symposium of the Veterinary Schools Council, 03 - 05 Jul 2024, University College Dublin, Ireland.

Akhtar, S., Nicoll, S., Notchell, A. and Pickles, K. (2024) ‘Delivering Sustainable Practical Teaching: Join the Conversation’, International Symposium of the Veterinary Schools Council, 03 - 05 Jul 2024, University College Dublin, Ireland.

Nicoll, S., Driver, E., Akhtar, S., Pickles, K., Notchell, A. and Griffin, Z. (2024) Development of an Interactive and Durable Equine Alimentary Model for use in Integrated and Applied Anatomy Teaching Sessions at the Royal Veterinary College, International Symposium of the Veterinary Schools Council, 03 - 05 Jul 2024, University College Dublin, Ireland.

Akhtar, S., Subasinghe, D., Fontaine, S., Boyd, S., Davies, H., Garcia-Ana, A., Hewitt, S., Halfacree, Z., Dickson, J., Slingsby, L., Radakovic, M., Williams, A., Richards, I., Rhind,S., Higham, L., Morton, C., Yusta, N., Robinson, Z., Smith, R., Graham-Brown, J., Goncalves, R., Connolly, D., Van Winden, S. and Paterson, S. (2024) ‘Sustainability in veterinary curricula and institutions: a 2024 snapshot’, International Symposium of the Veterinary Schools Council, 03 - 05 Jul 2024, University College Dublin, Ireland.

Akhtar, S. (2023) ‘Using Conversation and Collaboration to Tackle Environmental Sustainability Challenges in Anatomy Teaching’, Early Career Anatomists Conference, 24 - 25 Aug 2023, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, United Kingdom.

Previdelli, R. and Akhtar, S. (2023) ‘The Use of Innovatice Computer-aided Learning Tools in Veterinary Anatomy Education’ in Early Career Anatomists Conference, 24 - 25 Aug 2023, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, United Kingdom.

Saira teaches anatomy and related subjects to BVetMed, BSc Bioveterinary Science and Gateway Students. She is the Module Leader for Principles of Animal Form and Function, and Unit Leader for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems, in the Graduate Accelerated BVetMed Year. 

Saira participates in a variety of RVC outreach activities including Animal Aspirations events, Summer Schools and Night at the Vet College, as well as external activities, through her role as a STEM Ambassador.

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