Mike Pittilo

Mike Pittilo
Principal of the Robert Gordon University
Term	September 2005 – 16 February 2010
Predecessor	Professor Bill Stevely
Born	7 October 1954(1954-10-07) Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Died	16 February 2010(2010-02-16) (aged 55)
Alma mater	University of Strathclyde, University of East London
Residence	Aberdeen
Profession	Biologist

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.

Early life

Pittilo was born in Edinburgh.^[1] He was educated at the independent Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde,^[1] where he studied biology, graduating in 1976.^[2] 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.^[1][2]

Career

After completing his doctorate, Pittilo worked as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Middlesex Hospital Medical School^[2] from 1981 to 1985, before moving to Kingston University (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,^[2] and Foundation Dean of the University's shared Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences with St George's, University of London, in 1995,^[1] taking on additional responsibilities for Multiprofessional Education in 1996 and Taught Postgraduate Courses in 1999.^[2] 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.^[1][2][3] 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.^[2]

Personal life

Pittilo married Carol Blow in 1987. He was a member of the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Northern and University Club, Aberdeen. He died on 16 February 2010.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "RGU:The Principal". Robert Gordon University. http://www.rgu.ac.uk/governance/management/page.cfm?pge=12928. Retrieved 15 November 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "RGU: Profiles: Mike Pittilo". Robert Gordon University. http://www.rgu.ac.uk/academicaffairs/committees/page.cfm?pge=29778. Retrieved 15 November 2009. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "Pittilo appointed". The Times. 4 March 2005. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=194472&sectioncode=26. Retrieved 15 November 2009. 
4. ^ "University principal dies aged 55". BBC News. 16 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8518085.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 

Academic offices
Preceded by Professor Bill Stevely	Principal of the Robert Gordon University 2005–2010	Succeeded by TBD

Persondata
Name	Pittilo, Robert Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	7 October 1954
Place of birth	Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Date of death	16 February 2010
Place of death