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Three representatives of the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Health and Agro/Biodefense (AHAD) Program — Dr. Frank “Skip” Bartle, Alumni Professor and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. Dr. Miria Criado, Assistant Professor of Pathobiology. and Professor and Head of the Department of Pathobiology, Paul Walz, Ph.D., recently established his BSL-2/BSL-3, a new state-of-the-art for studying viral diseases in birds at the US National Poultry Institute. I attended the dedication ceremony of the institute. Research Center in Athens, Georgia.
The event was held at the US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Invited Open House.
According to Bartol, “These facilities will enable many of the goals of the Auburn AHAD program defined through our partnership with USDA-ARS in support of National Program 103.” Eradicate animal diseases that affect agriculture and public health.
As a new element of the national network of U.S. government agencies and land-funded colleges, the AHAD program focuses primarily on diseases affecting economically important livestock, including diseases that can be transmitted from animals. Complements and expands the impact of ongoing work in this area. , or zoonotic diseases, pose a significant threat to public health or affect national security and economic stability locally, nationally, and globally.
According to Bartol — who spearheads the AHAD program with Walz — Auburn’s program expands and enhances research that impacts animals and, more generally, public health in the southeastern United States and beyond. . Their mission also complements upcoming efforts at the National Biological and Agricultural Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas, a joint initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
“As part of its national effort, Auburn’s AHAD program will expand the existing animal health research mission and capabilities of the College of Veterinary Medicine to provide research that complements the goals of the NBAF, USDA, and the Department of Homeland Security.” ,” says Bartol. “It works closely with partners in Allied Federal Spaces and leverages program capabilities supported by the National Institutes of Animal Health network established at the Alabama State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory adjacent to the veterinary campus.”
The AHAD program is focused on a biodefense mission that aligns with the four strategic areas of the National Biodefense Strategy identified by USDA-ARS. These areas include: Predict the emergence of pathogens in domestic animals and related wildlife. Understand the ecology of exotic, emerging and re-emerging pathogens. incident response investigations; development of veterinary measures for early detection, prevention and treatment of exotic and emerging animal diseases;
Auburn’s AHAD program is also strengthened by its proximity and collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and collaboration with USDA-ARS scientists at the US National Poultry Research Center in Athens. The program also contributes to the needs of the country through its service as a training center for the next generation of veterinary researchers and basic animal health scientists.
“Over the years, Auburn Veterinary College has developed important working relationships with the USDA-ARS and other federal agencies working in the agricultural/biodefense sector,” Bartall said. “AHAD will work closely with partners, as stated in the USDA-ARS National Program 103, to “protect and protect the security of the nation’s agriculture and food supply through improved disease detection, prevention, and control.” ensure”.
