Samantha Lycett is a Professor in Pathogen Phylodynamics, at Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh. Research interests in evolution and epidemiology of animal and zoonotic pathogens using bioinformatic, bayesian, machine learning, phylodynamic modelling and simulation techniques. Prof Lycett combines pathogen sequence data, environmental and host movement network data to infer spatial spread, cross species transmissions, effect of immune escape mutations and evolution of virulence. Current projects include global spread of avian influenza, evolution of virulence in Mareks Disease Virus and Infectious Bronchitis Virus, and fast evolving swine and cattle viruses, and also on SARS-CoV-2 spread and evolution. Prof Lycett is an Early Warning Challenge lead for EPIC consortium which provides advice to Scottish Government about animal disease outbreaks, and a Theme leader in Epidemiology on the Roslin Institute’s strategic programme on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.