Wendy graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of Essex, in 1992, and was awarded the Glaxo Prize for outstanding performance. She went on to study for a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 1999. Wendy completed various post-doctoral research positions in the fields of neuroscience and stem cell biology at University of Birmingham and at the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario, Canada (2000-2003). Whilst continuing with her research, Wendy became more involved in undergraduate teaching. She completed the Associate Programme in Learning and Teaching in 2008 and was awarded the Prize of Excellence.
Wendy was appointed as lecturer in Medical Sciences in 2008 at the University of Birmingham. She completed her PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, in 2010, and was recognised as Fellow (2011), then Senior Fellow (2013) of the HEA. Her interest in teaching and education increased as well as her keen interest in supporting and mentoring colleagues in their own professional development.
Wendy was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Medical Sciences and was recipient of the annual Excellence in Teaching and Supporting Learning Award (2012). As Senior Lecturer (2012-18) she undertook several roles associated with teaching and learning, including Academic Teaching Mentor, Deputy Programme Director of Biomedical Sciences undergraduate programme, Head of Student Development and Support, Senior Tutor for Biomedical Sciences and Academic Year 4 Lead for pharmacy.
In 2018, Wendy moved to Aston University to take on key leadership roles; she set up the student support framework for the Aston Medical School, where she was the Head of Student Support. She led on Personal and Professional Development for both the medical and pharmacy schools and was Interprofessional Education Lead for the college of Health and Life Sciences. While undertaking these roles, Wendy completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching (2021) and then in 2022 she completed her Masters in Education (M.Ed). Her M.Ed was on supporting Personal Tutors through Communities of Practice (CoP) where she completed an autoethnography on a critical view of transformation of practice using CoP and perception of the sense of belonging.
Wendy returned to University of Birmingham in 2023 as Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences.