Andrea Nolan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrea Nolan CBE FRSE MRCVS
Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University
In office 2013–2024
Chancellor	Tim Waterstone David Eustace Will Whitehorn
Preceded by	Dame Joan Stringer
Succeeded by	Sue Rigby
Personal details
Nationality	Irish
Alma mater	Trinity College Dublin
Profession	Veterinary surgeon

Andrea Nolan is a well-known professor who studies how medicines affect animals. She used to be the leader, or Principal and Vice Chancellor, of Edinburgh Napier University. She made history in 1999 by becoming the first woman to lead a British veterinary school.

Andrea Nolan's Early Life and Education

Andrea Nolan went to Manor House School in Raheny for her high school education. After that, she decided to study veterinary medicine. She attended Trinity College Dublin to learn how to care for animals.

After finishing her studies, she worked for a short time in a veterinary practice. This is like a doctor's office, but for animals. She then continued her education. She did more advanced studies at the University of Bristol and the University of Cambridge. She also studied at the Technical University of Munich in Germany.

Andrea Nolan's Career in Veterinary Science

In 1989, Andrea Nolan started working as a lecturer at the University of Glasgow. A lecturer is a teacher at a university. By 1998, she became a full professor of veterinary pharmacology. This means she became an expert in how medicines work in animals.

She still holds this professor title today. She also continues to do important research. Her work focuses on understanding and treating pain in animals. She has also received special training in animal care. She earned a diploma from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. She is also recognized by European groups for her knowledge in animal medicine and anesthesia.

Leading a Veterinary School

In 1999, Professor Nolan was chosen for a very important job. She became the dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This was a big deal because she was the first woman to be a dean at that university. She was also the first woman ever to lead a British veterinary school.

Becoming a Vice-Principal

Professor Nolan continued to take on more leadership roles. In 2004, she became a vice-principal at the University of Glasgow. Her job was to oversee learning and teaching for all students. In 2006, she also became responsible for making the university more international. This meant helping students and staff from all over the world.

Later, in 2009, she was promoted again. She became the senior vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor. In this new role, she helped reorganize the university. She helped change its nine smaller departments into four larger colleges.

Leading Edinburgh Napier University

In 2013, Andrea Nolan became the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University. This is the top leadership position at a university. She took over from Dame Joan Stringer. When she started, she made plans for a new strategy for the university. This plan guided the university's goals from 2014 to 2019.

She stayed in this important role until December 2024. After that, Professor Sue Rigby became the new leader of Edinburgh Napier University.

Other Important Roles

Andrea Nolan has many other important jobs outside of her main university role. As of 2021, she leads the Interface Strategic Board. She is also a board member or trustee for several organizations. These include Medical Research Scotland and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association. She also works with the Moredun Foundation and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.

She is also in charge of the International Committee of Universities Scotland. This group represents universities in Scotland. She also helps lead their work on preventing gender-based violence.

In the past, she was the chair of the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee. She also led Universities Scotland for a time. She was a trustee for the Higher Education Statistics Agency. She also helped with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Global Pain Council.

Awards and Recognition

Professor Nolan has received many awards for her work. She won the Pfizer Academic Award for Animal Health Research. She also received the British Small Animal Veterinary Association's Amoroso Award. With her colleagues, she won the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Companion Animal Award. This award recognized their important work in helping animals.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a group of top experts in Scotland. She is also an honorary life member of a group for veterinary teachers and researchers.

In 2014, Andrea Nolan received an honorary OBE award. This was for her important contributions to science. In 2024, she was given an honorary CBE. This award recognized her great work in higher education.