Sources: David Franz, 785-532-6193, drf@k-state.edu; and Ron Trewyn,
785-532-5110, trewyn@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/franzbio.html
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/trewynbio.html
Pronouncer: Trewyn is true-en
Photo available: Contact media@k-state.edu or call 785-532-6415.
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu
Monday, March 3, 2008
DAVID FRANZ TO HEAD K-STATE'S NEW BIOSECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MANHATTAN -- David Franz, most recently head of Kansas State University's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, has agreed to step into a new role as chair of an elite group that will oversee K-State's initiatives in biosecurity.
The Biosecurity Advisory Committee, which will consist of nationally-known experts in containment laboratory operations, research and management, will provide K-State with an additional level of review and a long-term vision for the university's high-level research programs.
The group's first task will be to review the current and future programs at K-State's BRI -- Biosecurity Research Institute. The group will develop a plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the institute, as well as review things like regulatory requirements and the BRI's business plan.
"The BRI is one of the finest and most advanced biocontainment labs in the nation," Franz said. "This group will help to ensure that the institute's path forward is clear and that it has the resources needed to make it a valuable contributor to the safety and security of the nation's agricultural economy and public health."
While head of K-State's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, Franz directed a broad program in preharvest and postharvest biosecurity and strengthened K-State's status in the public health and national security arenas. Franz has been and continues to serve as chief biological scientist at the Midwest Research Institute, where he develops business activities in the areas of biodefense education and preparation, nonproliferation, cooperative threat reduction and biosafety.
The BRI, which was established under Franz' tenure at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, will begin hosting numerous federal-level biosafety training events this week. The institute is also gearing up for research in May. Since the building dedication, BRI officials have been busily preparing the facility for research. That preparation has included writing custom safety and security protocols, developing BRI-specific training modules, and testing and retesting the building to certify the performance of all critical systems.
"The BRI is an extremely complex facility and the research to take place there is of the utmost importance to the security of the U.S. agricultural infrastructure and food supply," said Ron Trewyn, vice president for research. "K-State wants to ensure that the BRI's research programs and biocontainment practices are second to none and that all aspects are subject to rigorous internal and external scrutiny. In Dave Franz, we've tapped one of the best and brightest minds in biosecurity to lead the charge."
The Biosecurity Advisory Committee will also review the ongoing mission of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center and other university biosecurity and associated biosafety initiatives.