Qualifications
PhD – Food Virology
HNC – Biological Sciences
Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB)
Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (FIFST)
About
Dr Martin D’Agostino is an independent food virology specialist and Director of ViroSafety Ltd, providing consultancy, technical review, and specialist training focused on the detection, transmission, and control of foodborne viruses.
He has over 25 years of experience working across government science agencies, commercial food safety organisations, and independent consultancy.
From 2016 to 2022, he served as Principal Virologist at Campden BRI, where he worked within a regulated laboratory environment supporting virus detection capability and contributing to laboratory procedures, training, and scientific activities.
Prior to this, he spent over two decades at Fera Science Ltd, a UK government science agency, working in microbiology and virology within structured laboratory and research environments.
He now focuses on providing independent expertise to food businesses, laboratories, regulatory authorities, and professional organisations through consultancy, technical review, and professional training.
Areas of expertise
Detection of foodborne viruses including Norovirus, Hepatitis A virus, and Hepatitis E virus
Interpretation and application of virus detection methods
Technical review of laboratory reports, validation data, and scientific documentation
Risk assessment and control strategies for foodborne viruses
Training food industry, laboratory, and regulatory personnel
Scientific writing, guidance development, and technical communication
Application of international standards and laboratory quality systems
Professional experience
Director
ViroSafety Ltd, Stratford-upon-Avon
October 2022 to present
- Providing specialist consultancy on foodborne virus risks
- Delivering professional training courses for food industry and regulatory personnel
- Reviewing technical reports, publications, and guidance documents
- Writing technical training material and contributing to scientific publications
- Providing independent expert advice on virus detection and control
- Managing all aspects of consultancy operations, client engagement, and training delivery
Principal Virologist
Campden BRI, Chipping Campden
May 2016 to May 2022
- Designed and oversaw the operations of a regulated laboratory environment supporting virus research capability
- Production of laboratory procedures, scientific activities, management of budget and operational work
- Management and oversight of a dedicated team of virologists
- Successful in attaining UKAS accreditation for the detection of norovirus and hepatitis A virus in fresh and frozen produce
- Original development and verification of an in-house method for the detection of hepatitis E virus in pork products
- Produced and communicated technical reports and information to clients and stakeholders
- Oversight of laboratory documentation and quality systems
- Responsible for the H&S within the Virology laboratory
Microbiologist / Virologist
Fera Science Ltd (Government Agency), York
July 1994 to September 1996 – Central Science Laboratory, Torry, Aberdeen (Torry Research Station)
September 1996 to May 2016 – Central Science laboratory, Sand Hutton, York.
- Worked within UK government laboratory environment specialising in microbiology and virology
- Development of molecular methods for the detection of major foodborne bacterial and viral pathogens
- Produced laboratory procedures, quality standards, and scientific protocols
- Maintained laboratory records and documentation
- Contributed to scientific and laboratory-based activities
- Assisted in the coordination of large EU Framework Projects in the area of transmission of viruses
Professional activities
- Director, ViroSafety Ltd
- Independent specialist providing consultancy and training in food virology
- Contributor to scientific publications, training material, and technical guidance
- Supporting food industry and regulatory understanding of foodborne virus risks