Toby Ross studied at the University of Warwick, completing a 4-year integrated master's degree including a research project that investigated the potential use of bacteriophages as a therapy for neonatal meningitis. After graduation Tony initially worked at Cellmark Forensic Services before joining Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to research the potential of bacteriophages as a diagnostic tool for bacterial bloodstream infections under Dr Thomas Edwards. He is now a PhD student on the Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership, investigating alphaviruses under Professor Christine Goffinet.

Toby’s current PHD research is investigating alphaviruses – specifically chikungunya, mayaro and o'nyong'nyong. These viruses are spread by mosquitoes and can cause chronic arthritis in those infected. The first arm of his research is investigating what happens when two different alphaviruses infect the same population, exploring effects such as the viruses combining, competing with each other, or causing more significant infection. The second arm is looking more directly at the interactions between these viruses and their host cells, using genetic activation screens to identify host genes and cellular mechanisms important to the reproduction of the viruses. Previously he worked with bacteriophages, investigating their potential as a diagnostic tool for bacterial bloodstream infections and as a therapeutic agent for neonatal meningitis.