Andrea Fidgett, MSc, PhD
Professor, Health Systems Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Join year: 2025
- 2002, PhD in Nutritional Ecology, University of Glasgow
- 1995, MSc in Animal Nutrition, Department of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen
- 1991, BSc (Hons) in Zoology, University of Glasgow
Homeward Bound Leadership Initiative: Homeward Bound is an active, global network of women with a background in STEMM who are leading and able to solve our world's greatest challenges. In 2016, I self-funded my participation in the inaugural cohort of women, all with a background in science, across a broad range of professions, occupations, and career levels who completed a competitive 12-month leadership development program, culminating in a transformative expedition to Antarctica with global STEMM leaders.
- Higher Education Teaching Certificate, Harvard University
- Blanchard Certified Self Leader, Blanchard
- Facilitating Species Conservation Planning, IUCN’s Conservation Planning Specialist Group
- Zoo and Exotic Animal Nutrition, Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education
- 2016-2024, Director of Wildlife Nutrition, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Nutrition Alliance
- 2002-2016, Zoo Nutritionist, Chester Zoo (UK); led the design and rollout of the first comprehensive dietary care program for 500+ species, establishing innovation in nutritional care of wildlife
- 2004-2016, Course Tutor/Director, Vitae (UK); on a contract basis, working with universities across the UK through Vitae, contributed to experiential training, supporting the professional development of researchers as they strive for research excellence, innovation, and impact.
- Honorary Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Pathology: University of Liverpool, UK
- Affiliate Welfare Researcher & Honorary Lecturer: University of Glasgow, UK
- Multimedia Teaching Software Designer: University of Glasgow, UK
- Advancing knowledge of the nutritional requirements of animal species (particularly wildlife), in tandem with balancing behavioral health and wellbeing.
- Exploring the impact of regenerative and climate-resilient agricultural practices on the nutrient density of feeds in animal diets, evaluating the cascading effects on animal health
- Understanding how innovations in educational technology will impact the workforce of tomorrow
Previous
- UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, £70,000 (Co-PI), Doctoral Training Grant for amphibian nutrition research with University of Manchester
- UK Natural Environment Research Council, £52,000 (Co-PI), Doctoral Training Grant for amphibian nutrition research with University of Manchester
- American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums Nutrition Advisory Group
- Comparative Nutrition Society
- European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Zoo Nutrition Group
- Conservation Planning Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission
- Fidgett, A.L., (2023). Browse Selection and Management. In: Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy, Volume 10. WB Saunders.
- Robbins, C.T., Christian, A.L., Vineyard, T.G., Thompson, D., Knott, K.K., Tollefson, T.N., Fidgett, A.L. and Wickersham, T.A., (2022). Ursids evolved early and continuously to be low-protein macronutrient omnivores. Scientific Reports, 12(1).
- Waterman, J.O., McNally, R., Harrold, D., Cook, M., Garcia, G., Fidgett, A.L. and Holmes, L., (2021). Evaluating environmental enrichment methods in three zoo-housed Varanidae lizard species. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 2(4).
- Gauglitz, J.M., Morton, J.T., Tripathi, A., Hansen, S., Gaffney, M., Carpenter, C., Weldon, K.C., Shah, R., Parampil, A., Fidgett, A.L. and Swafford, A.D., (2020). Metabolome informed microbiome analysis refines metadata classifications and reveals unexpected medication transfer in captive cheetahs. Msystems, 5(2).
- Greggor, A.L., Vicino, G.A., Swaisgood, R.R., Fidgett, A.L., Brenner, D
Before joining the College of Veterinary Medicine at WesternU, Andrea was the first full-time animal nutritionist employed at a zoo in the United Kingdom. She then led the nutrition program for more than 800 species and subspecies (~16,000 animals) at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. She has provided expert training and consultancy in comparative nutrition internationally, and has conducted targeted, collaborative research on multiple taxa, supporting field conservation and recovery programs for threatened wildlife species.
She co-founded and chaired the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Nutrition Group, served as vice-chair of EAZA’s Research Committee, was editor-in-chief of the Zoo Animal Nutrition book series, and was a founding editorial board member of the online open-access Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research.
She believes nutritious food should be part of healthy, sustainable, and just food systems that nourish wildlife and people.