Nola Leonard graduated in veterinary medicine from University College Dublin and after a few years in private practice returned to UCD and completed her PhD in veterinary microbiology. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Teagasc (the Agriculture and Food Development Authority) in dairy and pig health and welfare before returning to UCD as a lecturer in veterinary microbiology in UCD in 1997. Nola is currently Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Microbiology and a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Microbiology. She taught veterinary microbiology and infectious disease in the veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing programmes throughout her career in UCD and has supervised many postgraduate students. She continues to engage in research and student supervision. Her research interests include antimicrobial use and resistance in all animal species and infectious disease and related welfare issues in pigs. She previously chaired the UCD Veterinary Hospital Infection Prevention Control Committee for many years and retains a strong interest in infection control as a participant in the EU JAMRAI 2 project (Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections)