Meet Dr. Andrew Brooks: Director, Animal Health Laboratory
The University of Guelph has appointed Dr. Andrew Brooks, DVM PhD Diplomate ACVP to the role of Co-Executive Director, Laboratory Services Division (LSD) and Director, Animal Health Laboratory (AHL).
Brooks has been working as a diagnostic pathologist at the University of Guelph since 2011. He started at the AHL in Kemptville and transferred to Guelph in 2018, where he assumed supervision of the postmortem facility. Brooks has broad experience with diagnostic pathology of livestock, poultry and companion animals.
Prior to his time at the AHL, Brooks worked as a pathologist in academia and in the private sector and worked as a clinical veterinarian in small and large animal practice.
The role of Director of the Animal Health Laboratory is a very exciting opportunity,” says Brooks. “Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with many outstanding organizations across the public and private sectors. When I reflect on the AHL, our exceptional work, talented people, collaborative culture and meaningful impact on animal health and the agri-food sector, I can say without hesitation that this is the best organization I’ve ever worked for. It will be an honour and a privilege to serve as the next AHL Director.
Building and strengthening relationships
As he transitions into this new role, Brooks is committed to maintaining and strengthening relationships with the AHL's stakeholders and clients and building productive, collaborative relationships with the AHL's partners in veterinary practice, agriculture, public health and government.
Brooks shares how the success of the AHL is inextricably linked to the quality and expertise of its people and he looks forward to continuing to foster the scientific excellence of the AHL team, as well as recruiting and developing the next generation of veterinary scientists and laboratory leaders who will guide the AHL into the next decade of diagnostic excellence.
"My vision is that the AHL will continue its ascendancy to become the foremost, full-service, accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Canada," says Brooks. "This vision is founded on providing excellent service, exceeding client expectations, and staying at the forefront of diagnostic innovation."
Readying the AHL for the future
Brooks foresees that the AHL will continue to be a leader in diagnostic innovation for the animal health sector, integrating technological innovations, such as whole genome sequencing and metagenomics, and transforming these technologies into high impact services that benefit AHL clients and stakeholders.
Maintaining and strengthening the AHL's role in disease surveillance is equally important to Brooks, "In collaboration with our provincial and federal government partners, we play a key role in the early detection and rapid mitigation of disease threats. Effective disease surveillance not only protects animal and human health but also supports a strong and competitive agri-food sector."
The AHL works closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the agri-food industry and other partners on surveillance programs that monitor emerging threats to Ontario’s agricultural sector. Brooks anticipates that new and emerging diseases will continue to present challenges and says the AHL will continue to work alongside its partners to strengthen surveillance networks so that risks can be rapidly and effectively mitigated as they arise.
"The University of Guelph has always held a special place in my life," says Brooks. "Both my father and grandfather worked at the university, and I completed my veterinary and graduate training at the Ontario Veterinary College. After exploring opportunities in the private sector, I realized that I wanted to make an impact in public service, particularly in agriculture. The AHL provides the perfect opportunity to do just that."
About the Animal Health Laboratory
The Animal Health Laboratory is an important component of Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the longstanding partnership between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and the University of Guelph. The AHL provides diagnostic and analytical services to a broad array of agri-food clients, including those in government, industry and academia. The AHL specializes in determining the health of livestock, poultry, horses and pets through a wide array of tests, and in turn provides disease surveillance data for the province of Ontario.
