Professor Richard Lathe is a prominent researcher in the field of infectious medicine, with a focus on the links between microbial infections and neurological diseases, including dementia. He is based at the University of Edinburgh, where he holds the position of Professor in the Centre for Infectious Diseases.

Professor Lathe is particularly interested in the role of microbial infections—bacterial, viral, and fungal—in the development and progression of brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions. His work challenges the traditional view that the brain is a sterile organ, exploring the concept of the brain microbiome and its potential influence on brain health. One of his significant contributions is his research into how infections in the brain may lead to cognitive decline and dementia, a topic that is currently gaining increasing attention in the scientific community.