Josh Slater graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1985 and spent four years in equine practice before moving to a residency in equine medicine at the University of Cambridge. He completed a PhD in equine infectious diseases in 1994 and was a lecturer, then senior lecturer in equine medicine at Cambridge during which he held a Wellcome Trust research fellowship. He moved to the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2005 where was is professor of equine clinical studies and clinical director of the equine referral hospital. His research is in equine infectious diseases, in particular strangles and equine herpesviruses and he has a wide range of interests in equine medicine. He is currently Professor of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Melbourne where is Head of Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. He is a past president of the British Equine Veterinary Association, the European College of Equine Internal Medicine and the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations, and served as the secretary to the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation. He was biosecurity advisor for the 2008 Equestrian Olympic Games, the London 2012 Equestrian Olympic Games and the World Equestrian Games in 2014 and 2018. He is a co-director of the British Animal Rescue Trauma Association, is chairman of the Horse Trust in the UK.