Dr Caroline Mansfield graduated from Murdoch University, Perth and worked in mixed animal and small animal practice in Australia and the UK before completing a 3-year residency in small animal medicine at University College, Dublin. She developed an interest in gastroenterology during that time and has continued that clinical and research passion since her return to Australia in 2001. From 2001 until 2010 she was employed at Murdoch University as a clinical registrar and then lecturer/senior lecturer. She moved to the University of Melbourne in late 2010 and the Head of Small Animal Medicine and is currently Professor and Director of U-Vet Hospital. In addition to clinical and teaching responsibilities, she completed her PhD on canine pancreatitis in 2012 and has authored over 75 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters. Her research group is involved in clinical research projects investigation mechanisms involved in canine inflammatory bowel disease, both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas and establishing the impact the gut microbiome has on health and disease in dogs. She is board certified in internal medicine, gaining a Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2001. Caroline is Past President of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, a member of the Board of Examiners for the National Veterinary Examination (as part of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council) and board member for VetCompass Australia, using big data to track breed-related health and disease.