Mike Pittilo
Encyclopedia
Robert Michael "Mike" Pittilo MBE
(7 October 1954 – 16 February 2010) was a British biologist and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the Robert Gordon University
, in Aberdeen
, Scotland
. Pittilo worked in research and education for most of his adult life, holding a number of positions at universities throughout the United Kingdom, notably as Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences at Kingston University
and St George's
, University of London
, and as Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire
.
Kelvinside Academy
in Glasgow
and the University of Strathclyde
, where he studied biology, graduating in 1976. He then started work as an electron microscopist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary
, before taking up a post as a Research Assistant at the North East London Polytechnic
, completing an Agricultural Research Council
-supported Ph.D.
on protozoan parasites of poultry in 1981.
(then Kingston Polytechnic). He began as a lecturer, rising to become a senior lecturer and then reader, being appointed Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Head of the Department of Life Sciences in 1992, and Foundation Dean of the University's shared Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences with St George's
, University of London
, in 1995, taking on additional responsibilities for Multiprofessional Education in 1996 and Taught Postgraduate Courses in 1999. In 2001, Pittilo was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, a post he held until being appointed Principal of the Robert Gordon University in 2005. He was Chairman of the Regulatory Working Groups for Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture at the Department of Health
from 2002 to 2003, returning to the position in 2006.
and the Royal Northern and University Club, Aberdeen. He died on 16 February 2010.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(7 October 1954 – 16 February 2010) was a British biologist and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
, in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Pittilo worked in research and education for most of his adult life, holding a number of positions at universities throughout the United Kingdom, notably as Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences at Kingston University
Kingston University
Kingston University is a public research university located in Kingston upon Thames, southwest London, United Kingdom. It was originally founded in 1899 as Kingston Technical Institute, a polytechnic, and became a university in 1992....
and St George's
St George's, University of London
St George's, University of London is a medical school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, and as Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
.
Early life
Pittilo was born in Edinburgh. He was educated at the independentIndependent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
Kelvinside Academy
Kelvinside Academy
Kelvinside Academy is a private school in the City of Glasgow, Scotland, founded in 1878. It has a capacity of 640 pupils and spans two years of Junior Start , six years of Junior School , and seven years of Senior School , comprising fifteen years in all...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
, where he studied biology, graduating in 1976. He then started work as an electron microscopist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert...
, before taking up a post as a Research Assistant at the North East London Polytechnic
University of East London
The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
, completing an Agricultural Research Council
Agricultural and Food Research Council
The Agricultural and Food Research Council , was a British Research Council responsible for funding and managing scientific and technological developments in farming and horticulture....
-supported Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
on protozoan parasites of poultry in 1981.
Career
After completing his doctorate, Pittilo worked as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Middlesex Hospital Medical School from 1981 to 1985, before moving to Kingston UniversityKingston University
Kingston University is a public research university located in Kingston upon Thames, southwest London, United Kingdom. It was originally founded in 1899 as Kingston Technical Institute, a polytechnic, and became a university in 1992....
(then Kingston Polytechnic). He began as a lecturer, rising to become a senior lecturer and then reader, being appointed Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Head of the Department of Life Sciences in 1992, and Foundation Dean of the University's shared Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences with St George's
St George's, University of London
St George's, University of London is a medical school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, in 1995, taking on additional responsibilities for Multiprofessional Education in 1996 and Taught Postgraduate Courses in 1999. In 2001, Pittilo was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, a post he held until being appointed Principal of the Robert Gordon University in 2005. He was Chairman of the Regulatory Working Groups for Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture at the Department of Health
Department of Health (United Kingdom)
The Department of Health is a department of the United Kingdom government with responsibility for government policy for health and social care matters and for the National Health Service in England along with a few elements of the same matters which are not otherwise devolved to the Scottish,...
from 2002 to 2003, returning to the position in 2006.
Personal life
Pittilo married Carol Blow in 1987. He was a member of the Royal Society of MedicineRoyal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine is a British charitable organisation whose main purpose is as a provider of medical education, running over 350 meetings and conferences each year.- History and overview :...
and the Royal Northern and University Club, Aberdeen. He died on 16 February 2010.