John M. Fairbrother is a professor and a longstanding member of the Swine Infectious Disease Research Group (GREMIP) at the Faculty de medecine veterinaire of the University de Montreal. His research emphasizing the use of in vivo infection models in the natural animal host has provided insight into the mechanisms by which E. coli can cause disease and has lead to the development of novel diagnostic and control strategies and the formation of a spin-off company. He founded the E. coli Reference Laboratory, and is an E. coli expert for the World Organization for Animal Health.