Our Meet the Team series profiles the individuals who make up the UK Agri-Tech Centre, offering a glimpse into their stories and ambitions for the sector. Next up is Nikki Dalby, our Head of One Health.
For Nikki Dalby, it is critical to ensure that solutions are addressing issues affecting the entire ecosystem.
What is your background and how did you come to work in the agri-tech sector?
I am a chemist by training and began my career in the pharmaceutical industry. Initially, I worked on drug delivery systems, focusing on alternatives to traditional medication methods. For example, my work involved finding new ways to administer insulin, especially for people who don’t tolerate injections. We explored and trialled nasal sprays as alternatives to flu jabs which are now used in practice today. My work later moved from formulation to analytical chemistry, where I focused on analysing drug quantities and stability studies for new product registration. This experience led me to Fera Science, based in York.
At Fera, I managed the veterinary medicines and pesticides division, which meant overseeing the UK’s food and feed surveillance program. This role allowed me to dive into the world of animal health, food safety and agricultural produce. This naturally aligned with the work of the UK Agri-Tech Centre and I now serve as the Head of One Health, where I combine my background in human and animal health.
What is One Health and how does your team approach it?
One Health is all about recognising the interconnections between human, animal and environmental health. For example, we look at how soil health impacts the health of crops, animals and ultimately, people. The One Health team at the UK Agri-Tech Centre includes specialists in animal health & welfare, nutrition and plant and soil health. We aim to create solutions that address issues within each of these areas.
Recently, we’ve set out our strategic themes, focusing on disease mitigation, pest control, food security and animal welfare. These themes guide the projects we pursue and ensure we address the critical issues affecting the ecosystem. We’re also involved in exciting innovations like creating new ways to test animal health and enhancing food safety.
What does your role as Head of One Health entail?
As part of the innovation team, my role involves creating and fostering partnerships between academia and industry to develop R&D projects. Our goal is to tackle challenges in the One Health space. My team specifically works on mitigating diseases and improving both plant and animal health.
Our specialists in animal and crop health identify and manage projects from the initial proposal stages to full project delivery. It’s about finding ways to build healthier systems through collaboration, research and innovation, especially in areas like disease prevention and food security.
What makes the UK Agri-Tech Centre a special place to work and what inspires you in this line of work?
What sets us apart at the UK Agri-Tech Centre is the combination of expertise, capability and passion. People are genuinely excited about what they do. It’s not just about meeting the goals— it’s about the love for innovation and the drive to create something meaningful. Our team goes above and beyond, whether it’s putting in extra hours or tackling challenges head-on. That passion is what makes the UK Agri-Tech Centre unique and it really sets us apart from other organisations.
The fact that the work we do touches everyone’s lives is really motivating. I’ve always had a passion for health improvement and whether it’s improving animal health or ensuring the safety of our food, we have the chance to make a real difference. My chemistry background has always leaned towards health-related applications, and that continues to drive my interest today. Every project we undertake feels like a new opportunity to enhance the way we live.
Does your business have agri-tech ambition in One Health?
We can help accelerate your innovation progress and offer impartial, supply chain connectivity from micro to large organisations. Contact Nikki Dalby and her team via [email protected] to find out how you can access our tools and be part of the innovation ecosystem.
