Massimo Palmarini is Professor of Virology at University of Glasgow. He established his research career with work on animal retroviruses and has made pioneering contributions to an important veterinary pathogen, applying an approach incorporating molecular virology, viral pathogenesis, and immunology. His research has also extended to the emerging threat posed by arthropod-borne viruses, specifically bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus. As Director of the MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research he has shown inspired leadership in rejuvenating the Centre, planning and developing the Centre as the UK’s leading “one health” human/veterinary enterprise in viral diseases.