He obtained his Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 1996. After graduation he worked for four years in mixed animal practice in Northern Ireland followed by 2 years in pharmaceutical research and development at Norbrook Laboratories Ltd. He received a specialist Certificate in Cattle Health and Production from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (London) in 2000 and a doctorate in Veterinary Microbiology from Iowa State University in 2005. He holds board certification in Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology and his professional interests include pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of analgesic drugs in food animals and therapy of bovine anaplasmosis. In his spare time he enjoys fly fishing and hiking