Sandra De Cat

I graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) from Ghent University (Belgium). After a brief stint in mixed veterinary practice in Belgium, I joined the Mackinnon Project at the University of Melbourne where I completed a Masters of Veterinary Science studying the ecology of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina.

In 2008, I joined James Cook University (JCU) as a Lecturer in Small Ruminant Medicine and Production with the College of public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences (CPHMVS) being one of the founding faculty members of the undergraduate veterinary program at JCU. In 2020, I was promoted to Senior Lecturer as a Teaching Specialist. I have over 15 years of teaching experience that includes curriculum development, subject coordination and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. I have particular expertise in designing holistic learning experiences, using an authentic, active and inclusive educational approach, placing students as lifelong learners within the profession from the outset.

In 2016, I received a JCU and National Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning as the lead nominee of the ‘Veterinary Sciences Early Career Teaching and Development Team’. I am passionate about first year education using the Year 1 veterinary subjects as a successful platform to facilitate ALL students’ transition into higher education and the veterinary community. My contribution to enhancing the quality of learning and teaching in Year 1 has also been recognized with a Teaching Excellence Award in 2020. In addition, my pro-active and innovative approach to meet the needs of ALL learners has been recognized with a JCU Inclusive Practice Award in 2019.

I am also strongly committed to train and enthuse veterinary students for a professionally inspiring career in mixed rural practice. The ‘Sheep Week’ program in Year 3, an integrated and transdisciplinary ‘classroom to paddock’ experiential learning opportunity, provides an innovative avenue for advancing the skills, knowledge and attitudes of veterinary students as a means to address the current and future needs of the sheep and goat industries in rural areas.

My research interest are closely related to my teaching profile including first year transition pedagogy and career-development learning as well as research into herd and flock health on sheep and goat farms in northern Australia.