CEEZAD Workforce Development Program Overview
The CEEZAD Workforce Development Program consists of the CEEZAD Career Development Fellowship Program, begun in 2013 and the CEEZAD BSL-3 Training/Transboundary Animal Disease Summer Program, started in 2015 in conjunction with the Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI).
The overall goal of the Workforce Development Program is to leverage CEEZAD’s partnerships with universities, government agencies and industry as well as its proximity to the BRI and the future National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) to increase the number of highly trained professionals and future scientific leaders prepared for a career in the study and control of high consequence transboundary, emerging and zoonotic diseases of animals. These well-trained scientists will help DHS ensure the biosecurity of the nation’s livestock, food supply and public health.
The objectives of this program are to:
- Increase the number of M.S., Ph.D. and DVM/Ph.D. students that enter the Homeland Security science and engineering workforce.
- Improve knowledge among M.S., Ph.D. and DVM/Ph.D. students about issues that affect the nation’s response to high consequence, transboundary animal diseases.
- Provide training and experience in BSL-3/BSL-3 Ag research at the BRI
- Introduce M.S., Ph.D. and DVM/Ph.D. students to NBAF transition activities