Dr. Ruth Cromie gained a PhD for vaccine development in wildfowl from University College, London, and has worked in various aspects of wildlife health in both wild and captive animals in the UK and overseas, including the Durrell Institute of Conservation, the Smithsonian Institution and Hong Kong University.

Previously Head of Ecosystem Health at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Dr. Cromie now furthers her support as Research Fellow and Consultant.

She has played an instrumental role in the banning of lead shot in all EU wetlands and has improved the co-ordinated global response to Avian Influenza. She has had an international impact on wetland conservation, driving changes in law and policy in multiple countries and remaining at the forefront of the global health agenda.