Kevin Talbot qualified in medicine (MB BS) with Distinction from the University of London and trained in Neurology in London and Oxford.

He joined the laboratory of Professor Kay Davies in 1995 to work on the childhood motor neuron disorder spinal muscular atrophy, which has remained a major focus of his research ever since. From 1998-2001 he was Clinical Lecturer in Neurology and from 2001-2006 held an MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship. He leads a multidisciplinary team providing a clinical service for patients with motor neuron disease from all over the South of England.

In 2010 he became Professor of Motor Neuron Biology.