Lian is a veterinarian and epidemiologist with a strong interest in the One Health concept and a focus on the 'neglected' endemic zoonoses of marginalised communities. 

Originally from the north coast of Cornwall in the UK, Lian studied veterinary medicine at St. Georges University in Grenada, West Indies and undertook her MSc research in Uganda in conjunction with Makerere University. Lian moved to Kenya to pursure her PhD within the Zoonotic & Emerging Diseases research group (ZED group), supervised by Professor Eric Fèvre and supported by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Her PhD research focused on the epidemiology of T. solium cysticercosis in the human and porcine populations of western Kenya.

Lian is currently leading the Neglected Zoonotic Diseases theme within the BMZ funded One Health Centre in Africa. She is a resident of the European College of Veterinary Public Health, recieved a Veterinary post-doctoral fellowship from the University of Liverpool- Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund and holds a One Health Travelling Fellowship from the Soulsby Foundation.