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10.31.07
Dr. Garry Adams Named Associate Dean for Homeland Security
COLLEGE STATION, TX - Dr. Garry Adams of the Texas A&M
University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
(CVM) has been named to the National Research Council's Biodefense
Standing Committee for the Department of Defense. This committee is
charged with overseeing the science performed on behalf of homeland
security by analyzing and reviewing current, ongoing biodefense
research and making recommendations for new science.
"The veterinary profession brings a rich background and
experience in the role of animals in public health," said Adams.
"Many of the emerging diseases today are zoonotic, meaning they
affect both humans and animals, and then there are threats from
diseases that are still unknown or could even be engineered. My
role with this committee will be to help with the understanding of
biothreats and the creation of new and novel biodefense
mechanisms."
In addition to his role on the National Research Council's
Biodefense Committee, Adams has also been named as the new
Associate Dean for Homeland Security at the Texas A&M CVM, the
first associate deanship dedicated to homeland security housed
within a school of veterinary medicine.
Adams, as were the other members of the NRC committee, was
selected for his expertise in in the biological sciences. The
committee mandate of serving as a point of integration and
convergence for research and transitioning the results into
application will enable him to open doors and build relationships
that will benefit Texas A&M researchers through his new
associate deanship.
"We are going to be working in the realm of 'discovery
science'," said Adams. "Our goals will be to work with scientists
and researchers around the world, building collaborations,
resulting in the development of the next generation of
surveillance, recovery, and mitigation tools for biodefense and
homeland security. As one of few veterinarians on the committee, I
hope to bring a different perspective in public health and
biosecurity to the discussion for us to be able to make a broader
and more complete analysis of our biodefense efforts."
The main focus for Adams in his new position at the CVM will be
to integrate the CVM faculty internally and with colleagues from
the Texas A&M University colleges of science, agriculture,
engineering, and public policy and the Texas A&M Health Science
Center to formulate an integrated approach for biodefense and
homeland security.
"Across the spectrum of Texas A&M University and the health
science center, there is already a great deal of work underway
through federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland
Security National Center of Excellence for Foreign Animal and
Zoonotic Disease Defense, the National Institutes of Health Western
Regional Center of Excellence, and five Department of Energy
National Laboratories," said Adams. "We can act as a conduit,
coordinating and supporting a network between researchers at Texas
A&M, federal agencies, and other scientists around the world,
hereby making a significant impact on the discovery of novel
approaches to homeland security against infectious agents and
toxins."
Adams also wants to address the need for human resource
development through educational program development in the homeland
security arena as emerging threats continuously change society's
ability to respond.
"This is a unique opportunity," said Adams, "to interconnect
people across multiple scientific disciplines, to expand horizons
for the veterinary profession, and to begin developing
science-based policy by which decisions can be made for animal and
human health in our society."
Adams will also be working to support the new Integrated Center
for Homeland Security (ICHS) at Texas A&M. The ICHS is led by
Dr. David McIntyre and has been approved to offer a bachelor's and
master's degree. Initially, Adams will work with CVM faculty to
develop the biological course structure for these degree programs
within the CVM and across the university in the ICHS.
"Dr. Garry Adams has a wealth of experience in research and
scientific collaborations," said Dr. H. Richard Adams, dean of
veterinary medicine. "His background and expertise in infection
biology, as well as his ability to establish relationships with
both governmental agencies and academic institutions, will serve to
solidify the lead role that Texas A&M University is already
playing in homeland security. It is an honor for Texas A&M to
have him accept this new role within the college of veterinary
medicine."
Contact Information:
Angela G. Clendenin
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Ofc - (979) 862-2675
Cell - (979) 739-5718
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