Janet obtained a degree from the University of Leeds, UK and went on to study part-time for a PhD on antigenic and genetic variation among equine H3N8 influenza A viruses at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK. After completing her PhD in 1996, she worked at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control investigating the safety and efficacy of influenza DNA vaccines followed by Glaxo SmithKline developing the influenza antiviral zanamivir (Relenza) before returning to the Animal Health Trust for a further 5 years. While at the Animal Health Trust, she conducted numerous vaccine efficacy studies on behalf of vaccine manufacturers. After a brief period at the University of Liverpool studying flaviviruses, she worked as a medical writer for a year. She has been at the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science since 2009 where she is currently Professor of Viral Zoonoses, lead of the One Virology group and deputy director of the Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research. She has ongoing projects to develop improved vaccines against different viral diseases including equine influenza and African horse sickness.