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K-State selected as DHS Center of Excellence for disease defenseU.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Rep. Lynn Jenkins recently applauded Kansas State University for earning a Center of Excellence designation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for zoonotic and animal disease defense. The Center of Excellence research and education efforts will focus on enhancing security by protecting against zoonotic (capable of spreading from animals to humans) and foreign animal diseases and finding ways to plan for and mitigate their impacts. K-State will share the designation with Texas A&M University, with K-State taking the lead on biological research and education programs and receiving $2 million per year for 6 years. "Once again, Kansas State has proven that our state is a leader in animal disease research. Kansas State has worked hard to earn this honor," Roberts said. "I am proud of their efforts to further our national security." Brownback said, "Congratulations to K-State for being named as a co-lead of a Center of Excellence by the Department of Homeland Security. I am pleased to see that DHS has recognized the outstanding animal health research produced by Kansas State University. I am confident that the research conducted at K-State for the Center of Excellence for zoonotic and animal disease defense will be a major step forward in protecting animal health and public safety." Jenkins said, "This is further proof of what we in Kansas have known for a while now, K-State is a cutting-edge bio-research institution. This is a great honor for K-State and all of Kansas." Kansas State was one of three universities competing for the designation through a three-step process that involved external peer review, internal subject matter expert review and site visits. Reviewers considered a range of factors, including the quality and relevance of the research programs, management plans, education programs, involvement of minority-serving institutions, and transition and application plans. The Department of Homeland Security is building the nation's premier laboratory for plant and animal disease research, called the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kan. on the Kansas State University campus, making one of the most significant investments to the Kansas economy in state history. The NBAF will replace the aging Plum Island facility, the federal government's current location for animal disease research.
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