Prof. Ralf S. Mueller graduated in Munich/Germany, completed his doctoral thesis in 1987, and worked in several large and small animal practices before completing a residency in veterinary dermatology at the University of California/Davis in 1992.  In 1992, he and his partner and wife Dr. Sonya Bettenay  created the first, purpose-built specialist practice in Australia.  Ralf and Sonya established (and continue to conduct) the Distance Education Program in Veterinary Dermatology of the Centre for Veterinary Education of the University of Sydney.  In 1999, Ralf became Assistant Professor in Veterinary Dermatology at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences/Colorado State University.  In 2004, he accepted a position as chief of the veterinary dermatology service at the University of Munich/Germany. His main research interests are allergies and ectoparasites.  He has published over 250 studies, articles, book chapters and books and given more than twelve hundred seminars, lectures and talks all over the world.