10 July 2026
Professor Ian Brown, the former Director of Science Operations & Research at the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has been awarded the Gold Medal at the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The international honor recognizes his decades-long contributions to avian, swine, and human influenza research.
The WOAH Gold Medal is among the highest distinctions in international veterinary medicine. It is awarded to individuals whose scientific contributions have had a profound impact on global animal health.
Professor Brown's scientific career is defined by twenty-five years of leadership at APHA's Weybridge laboratory. Between 1999 and 2024, he directed the WOAH Reference Laboratories for avian influenza, swine influenza, and Newcastle disease. In this capacity, he oversaw international diagnostic activities, coordinated sample analysis, and provided epidemiological expertise to the global veterinary community.
Key milestones in his career include:
- International Reference Leadership (1999–2024): Led the WOAH Reference Laboratories for avian influenza, swine influenza, and Newcastle disease, shaping international diagnostic standards and surveillance strategies for both wildlife and livestock.
- National Honor (2020): Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to animal health and welfare.
- Executive Leadership (2023–2024): Served as APHA's Director of Science Operations & Research, overseeing the operational delivery of the agency's scientific, pathology, and disease management programs. He retired from public service in March 2024.
In recent years, Brown's work has focused on the evolving threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). He led the FluMap consortium, an eight-institution UK research partnership that includes the Pirbright Institute, the Royal Veterinary College, and the Roslin Institute, among other academic organizations.
