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Release Date: 12/19/03 00:00:00
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 19, 2003
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science & Technology division announced in early December that it has selected Dr. Elizabeth A. Lautner as the Center Director of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in Long Island, N.Y. Dr. Lautner will begin her official duties in early January 2004. She is the first woman and the first veterinarian who has worked directly with industry groups to serve as Center Director in PIADC's fifty year history.
"Dr. Lautner's leadership will ensure the success of Plum Island as a critical national asset that provides vital research, support and protection to our nation's agriculture system," said Maureen McCarthy, director, Office of Research and Development. "Her vast knowledge and management skills will be an asset as we work to prevent intentional or unintentional outbreaks of foreign animal diseases."
Prior to joining the Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Lautner served as Vice President for Science and Technology at the National Pork Board where she was responsible for a $6 million budget that funded research and development on a variety of animal health and agricultural issues including swine health, food safety, pork quality, animal welfare and production. She has served on the National Animal Health Emergency Management Steering Committee since 1996 and completed six years of service on the Secretary of Agriculture's Foreign Animal and Poultry Disease Advisory Committee. She also received the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Administrator's award in 1997 in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of animal health.
"We are pleased that Dr. Lautner has been selected to this critical position," said Bobby Accord, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "This selection sends a clear message to the agricultural community that USDA and the Department will maintain a close working relationship. Plum Island will continue to serve as an important research and development facility for agriculture while ensuring that agricultural issues are addressed from a homeland security perspective."
Dr. Lautner received BS and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Michigan State University. She also has a MS degree from the University of Minnesota with a research focus on viral transmission.
The U.S. Department Homeland Security's Science and Technology division serves as the primary research and development arm of the Department, utilizing our nation's scientific and technological resources to provide federal, state and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland. On June 1, 2003, Plum Island Animal Disease Center transitioned to the Department's Office of Science and Technology to focus on protecting the nation from agricultural terrorism. Plum Island scientists conduct research to protect the health of livestock on farms across America from high-consequence foreign animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
This page was last modified on 12/19/03 00:00:00