Location: Operations
Project Number: 3022-32000-013-010-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2022
End Date: Jul 31, 2024
Objective:
This research project is aimed at contributing to the development of workforce on applied epidemiology in support of the mission of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS. Training will include exposure to disease ecology in endemic settings and relevant international reference laboratories and networks. Training will be focused on foreign animal diseases and areas of training will include experimental and observational study design, data analysis, modeling, and translation of research into application.
Specific objectives include:
1. Provide training on applied epidemiology (including study design and quantitative analysis tools), exposure to disease ecology in endemic settings, and collaboration with international reference laboratories and networks so information can be used to support the ARS mission to develop effective control and prevention strategies for targeted diseases.
2. To produce scientific results (presentations to scientific meetings, publications) on applied epidemiology of African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease using data generated or collected by the ARS laboratory, including experimental and field data.
Approach:
1. The Cooperator and ARS will identify graduate student / post docs to be trained on foreign animal disease epidemiology.
2. Cooperator will provide graduate level training, facilitate mentoring activities to the students, and create experiential (laboratory- and field-based) learning opportunities, including field activities in endemic settings and connections with international laboratories.
3. ARS scientists will lead various ongoing field studies in regions where transboundary diseases are endemic. Viral genomic sequencing data and other results of field samples analyses, and related metadata will be shared with collaborating scientists to support research interests.
4. Areas that will be emphasized through the program include those related with applied research applicable to enhance understanding on the molecular change, evolution, transmission, and maintenance of diseases exotic to the US (i.e., foreign animal diseases) in settings in which they are endemic, with the objective of translating gained knowledge into the national capacity for prevent or mitigate their impact, including design of effective countermeasures and strategies.
