Draft:Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases

The Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD) at Kansas State University was created in 2010 through a $12 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security.1

Since its creation, CEEZAD has undertaken the mission of protecting the nation’s public health and agricultural sectors. The Department of Homeland Security designated CEEZAD to fight a threat posed by high-consequence foreign animal, emerging, and zoonotic disease threats.2

CEEZAD’s research efforts are directed by Dr. Juergen A. Richt, Regents Distinguished Professor at Kansas State University.2 CEEZAD is housed within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.3

CEEZAD scientists work to develop novel, safe, efficacious, and DIVA-compatible vaccines for the prevention and control of high-impact emerging and zoonotic diseases that can be manufactured in the U.S.1

They also focus on the development and expansion of technologies and platforms for laboratory and point-of-need pathogen detection.4 In order to facilitate the ability to predict high-consequence disease behavior in the U.S., they develop models to aid prevention or outbreak control.4

CEEZAD also develops and presents education and training programs for students, veterinarians, first responders, and researchers who may come in contact with high-impact animal diseases and animal emergencies.4

Since the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, CEEZAD scientists have undertaken dozens of research projects designed to mitigate the impact of the virus’s spread.5

1. Centers of Excellence | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)[1]

2. Jürgen A. Richt (k-state.edu)[2]

3. CEEZAD | Kansas State University[3]

4. About | CEEZAD[4]

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Richt+AND+SARS-2

References

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