Thursday, January 26, 2023
News on Pathogens and Preparedness
Global Biodefense
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Global Biodefense
No Result
View All Result
Home Health Security

Parker Appointed to DHS Science and Technology Advisory Committee

by Global Biodefense Staff
November 13, 2015
DHS Department of Homeland Security Logo

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson recently announced the appointment of Gerald W. Parker, D.V.M., Ph.D., along with 27 other new members, to the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee (HSSTAC).

The HSSTAC provides scientific and technical advice to the Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Science and Technology on matters related to the expansion of technological capabilities across the homeland security enterprise.

Parker is the associate vice president for public health preparedness and response at the Texas A&M Health Science Center and interim director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, a DHS Science and Technology Center of Excellence.

Parker has been in federal public service for 35 years—nine years as a senior executive with the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plus 26 years of active duty in the Army Medical Department.

Prior to joining the Texas A&M Health Science Center, Parker was the DOD’s deputy assistant secretary for chemical and biological defense from 2010–2013, where he was responsible for developing national strategies and capabilities to protect United States service members from emerging infectious disease and biological and chemical threats.

From 2005–2010, Parker was the principal deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS and helped lead and coordinate new federal medical and public health preparedness initiatives, as well as emergency responses to natural disasters ranging from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma to Gustov and Ike, as well as the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and the Haiti earthquake.

He also serves as principal investigator for the Texas A&M Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing, one of three national centers established in June 2012 by HHS to enhance the nation’s emergency preparedness against emerging infectious diseases, including pandemic influenza and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. Parker is an ex officio member of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense—formed to evaluate the nation’s preparedness against bioterrorism and potentially catastrophic emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

Parker was appointed to HSSTAC’s Chemical and Biological Defense field. HSSTAC members are selected from disciplines with the following fields of expertise: organizational strategy and management, first responders, cybersecurity/risk, cross-cutting technical expertise, and chemical and biological defense. The 28 new HSSTAC members will join the six current members on the committee. All members serve two-year terms.

Parker holds a doctorate of veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University, a doctorate in physiology from Baylor College of Medicine and a master’s degree in resourcing the national strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is a recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Civilian Meritorious Service.

Source: IIAD, adapted.

Tags: BioterrorismDHSLeadership

Related Posts

Liverpool Synthetic Biology Lab Backed By 2M Award
Policy + Initiatives

Political Interference: White House Launches Framework to Protect Scientific Integrity

January 13, 2023
Paxlovid Has Been Free So Far. Next Year, Sticker Shock Awaits.
Health Security

Paxlovid Has Been Free So Far. Next Year, Sticker Shock Awaits.

December 7, 2022
Much of the CDC is Working Remotely. That Could Make Changing the Agency Difficult.
Policy + Initiatives

Much of the CDC is Working Remotely. That Could Make Changing the Agency Difficult.

December 7, 2022
State Department: Reducing Revisionist State Biological and Chemical Weapons Threats
CBRNE

State Department Sanctions Syrian Military Officials for Role in Ghouta Sarin Attack

October 24, 2022
Load More

Latest News

Partner Therapeutics’ Novel Approach to Stratify Sepsis Patients Gains Backing From BARDA

Biopreparedness Research Virtual Environment (BRaVE) Initiative Backed by $105M DOE Funding

January 25, 2023
Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

January 25, 2023
Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

January 24, 2023
Biodefense Headlines – 17 January 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 17 January 2023

January 17, 2023

Subscribe

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC