Professor Tony Fooks was appointed Animal and Plant Science Director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, in July 2026, following a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in government science. Since joining APHA in 2000, he has held a variety of senior scientific leadership roles, principally within the Science Directorate, including Head of the Virology Department and Lead Scientist for International Development and Global Science Strategy. Prior to joining APHA, Professor Fooks worked in the public health sector.
Between 2000 and 2017, Professor Fooks led a research team at APHA focused on a range of viral zoonotic pathogens. During this period, he was appointed Director of a World Health Organization Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response Collaborating Centre in 2002 and became a Designated OIE Reference Expert in 2006. In 2015, he was elected to the OIE Biological Standards Commission and joined the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs roster as an OIE-nominated expert supporting investigations into the alleged use of biological weapons.
From 2017 to 2020, Professor Fooks served as APHA's Scientific Lead for International Development, responsible for strengthening the agency's international influence through expanded partnerships, appointments and funding opportunities. He also led the scientific delivery of a range of EU Exit projects, ensuring that APHA's scientific expertise supported the UK's future global trade ambitions.
From 2020 until his appointment as Animal and Plant Science Director, Professor Fooks served as Head of the Virology Department and Consultant in Global Animal Health. Throughout his career, he has remained focused on the life sciences, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that scientific excellence informs policy decisions and that scientific advances are translated into practical solutions for healthcare, agriculture and the environment.
An internationally recognised expert in virology and zoonotic diseases, Professor Fooks has published more than 350 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. His research is centred on the One Health approach, with a particular focus on emerging and zoonotic RNA viruses. In recognition of his significant contribution to animal health and welfare, he was awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours List in 2024.
Alongside his leadership and research roles, Professor Fooks holds a number of honorary academic appointments. He is a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey, an Honorary Visiting Professor of Virology at the University of Liverpool, an Honorary Visiting Professor of Viral Zoonoses at St George's, University of London, and an Honorary Research Associate at the Zoological Society of London.
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This One Health Day we hear about the work undertaken between India and the UK in the One Health arena.
Cefas and APHA are leading on a new Defra-funded international programme re-defining how controlling hazards in food systems can positively impact biodiversity and improve their climate-efficiency.
Tuesday 3 November 2020 is One Health Day. This year we hear from Professor Tony Fooks, Lead Scientist for International Development, as he shares what APHA are doing in the international One Health arena.
September 28th marks the 14th World Rabies Day. This year, we hear from Dr Lorraine McElhinney and Professor Tony Fooks as they talk about this year’s theme ‘End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate’. Find out how APHA is contributing to the UK Government’s commitment to eliminate dog associated human rabies by 2030.
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