Team Coordinator
Jacqueline Fletcher
127 NRC
405-744-9948
Team Administrator
Phil Mulder
127 NRC
405-744-9410
OSU-Stillwater:
Bill Barrow (Vet Patho), Carol Bender (EPP), Dwayne Cartmell (Ag Comm), Ron Dahlgren (Ag Comm), Renee Dougherty (Hum Devel), Shiping Deng (PSS), Udaya DeSilva (An Sci), Stan Gilliland (An Sci), Richard Grantham (EPP), Rusty Gosz (An Sci), Carol Jones (BAE), Noah Litherland (An Sci), Jayson Lusk (Ag Econ), Jesse Mao (BAE), Ulrich Melcher (BMB), Derrell Peel (Ag Econ); Garvin Quinn (Ag Comm), Siobhan Reilly (FAPC), Warren Roberts (Hort, WWAREC), John Solie (BAE), Don Stotts (Ag Comm), Merritt Taylor (Hort, WWAREC), Astri Wayadande (EPP).
OSU-CHS, Tulsa:
Robert Allen, Stanley Conrad, R. Thomas Glass, Jared Wagner (all For Sci)
OCES:
Claude Bess (Dir., SE), Bill Burton (Ag Econ, NE Dist), Sherman Grubb (Creek Co), Marty Montague (Ext Ed, Choctaw); Gene Parker (Duncan), Wayne Smith (Bryan Co), Dave Sparks (Muskogee), Phil Pratt (Tulsa Co), Justin Rogers (Cleveland Co), Dave Sparks (Muskogee).
Assumptions
Agricultural biosecurity issues will receive increasing state and national attention in the near term.
Significant new research, educational and extension initiatives will be needed to respond to agricultural biosecurity-related needs of Oklahoma and the U.S.
Funding opportunities may increase, particularly at the national level, for such efforts.
OSU – DASNR Agricultural Biosecurity Team Objectives (Updated December 2007)
Short Term Objectives
1. Foster inter-departmental communication and cooperation in the area of agricultural biosecurity.
A. Maintain an updated Homeland Security Team members list, with contact information, of DASNR faculty and staff having relevant interests and activities.
B. Identify and encourage inter-departmental cooperation and collaborations in the area of agricultural biosecurity Cooperators may include OSU (Stillwater, Tulsa, CHS), OAES, OCES, the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Memorial for the Prevention of Terrorism, the Oklahoma Working Group on Agricultural Biosecurity, OU and possibly other entities.
C. Integrate Team activities, as appropriate, with the OSU National Institute for Microbial Forensics and Food and Agricultural Biosecurity (NIMFFAB).
D. Integrate Team activities, as appropriate, with the OCES Agricultural Biosecurity Task Force.
E. Integrate Team activities, as appropriate, with the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (CVHS). The CVHS has been involved in biodefense initiatives pertinent to biological agents and emerging infectious diseases, with programs supported by NIH/NIAID. Technological platforms and related expertise have been established, and linkage of the CVHS biodefense program to the priorities of the DASNR Homeland Security Team are a priority. Through this multi-college collaboration, the biodefense-related research and training program at OSU can be expanded and strengthened.
2. Conduct scientific research targeted specifically towards plant pathogen forensics, sociological impacts of terrorism, and other areas of agricultural biosecurity
A. Support the exploration of microbial variability in global populations of phytopathogens for forensic discrimination.
B. Conduct research on population diversity among populations of plant pathogenic viruses in agro-ecosystems and in the Oklahoma Tallgrass Prairie.
C. Work to adapt technologies developed for forensic typing of human DNA to the detection and identification of plant pathogens.
D. Investigate the role of plant-microbe and insect-microbe interactions in the contamination of fresh produce by human pathogens.
E. Supporting research in food safety related forensic diagnostics development.
2. Continue to foster a coalition of laboratories/network of individuals at OSU and elsewhere (OSU-Stillwater, OSU-Tulsa Center for Health Sciences, OSBI, etc) working on crop and food security issues.
3. Perform research to address the sociological impacts of terrorism and the role of OCES in meeting the needs of the public in Oklahoma.
A terrorist attack focused on the agricultural industry in Oklahoma could be devastating. Response during a time of crisis is critical to minimizing the effects of the event. Using the appropriate communication methods is vital to minimizing the effects of an attack, and understanding the sociological and psychological impacts of an agricultural terrorist attack can help in preparation for responding to such an event.
3. Develop an academic component such as a “track” for students seeking M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in established programs such as Plant Pathology, Biochemistry, Plant Sciences or Forensic Sciences
4. Establish and foster communication and collaboration with local, state and federal agencies and entities to address high priority issues related to agricultural biosecurity.
5. Target traditional stakeholder groups with related information/programs.
A. OSU extension personnel. Provide training to prepare them to present targeted programs to growers and homeowners and to respond to questions and concerns.
B. Oversight and advisory bodies. Create opportunities to provide input to key groups such as the Deans’ Advisory Committee, state commodity boards, etc.
C. OSU students. Give guest lectures and seminars to engage student interest
D. Other (members of the state legislature, producers, industry, etc.). Be available and proactive in creating opportunities for input with these key stakeholders.
E. State law enforcement and security (DHS, FBI). Continue to serve on the Oklahoma FBI’s Agricultural Bioterrorism Working Group.
F. National law enforcement and security (DHS, FBI). Continue to serve on the FBI’s Scientific Working Group on Microbial Genomics and Forensics.
Longer Term/Associated Priorities
1. Explore the possibility of developing a graduate program or Minor degree in Microbial Forensics at OSU.
2. Develop an undergraduate course in agricultural biosecurity at OSU.
Ultimate Goal
To bring the overall Oklahoma agricultural enterprise to an optimal state of biosecurity prevention and preparedness and to serve as a significant contributor to the National agricultural biosecurity system, including the emerging discipline of plant pathogen forensics.