Dr Irwin graduated in veterinary science from the Royal Veterinary College, London University in 1982 and has a PhD from James Cook University (1991) for studies into canine babesiosis in Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Canine Medicine). Peter has worked in academia in Australia and overseas for more than 25 years as a teacher of companion animal medicine and as a researcher in the fields of veterinary parasitology and medical microbiology. He is an internationally recognised expert in vector-borne diseases and is a director of the Vector- and Water Borne Pathogens Research Group (the Cryptick Laboratory) at Murdoch University. His research concerns tick-borne infections of companion animals, wildlife and humans in Australia. Peter is currently appointed Emeritus Professor at Murdoch University.