OXFORD, Miss. – America’s point man for promoting the development and manufacture of vaccines, treatments and therapies for a range of public health emergencies is to discuss 21st century bio-threats Wednesday evening (April 28) at the University of Mississippi.
A prominent player in development of the H1N1 influenza vaccine, Dr. Robin Robinson serves as deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response as well as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Under Robinson’s leadership, BARDA has helped place the U.S. government in a stronger position to confront potential pandemic and man-made threats such as anthrax, smallpox and nuclear attacks.
Sponsored by the UM Center for Intelligence and Security Studies, Robinson’s 6 p.m. lecture in Bryant Hall, Room 209 is free and open to the public. The medical community is encouraged to attend.
BARDA was created in 2004 as the result of the Pandemic Flu and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Since then, Robinson, who received back-to-back HHS Secretary Distinguished Service Awards in 2005 and 2006 and was a 2009 finalist for the Service to America Medal, has worked to better prepare the nation for moments such as the swine flu outbreak.
“Our way of thinking and doing business has completely changed,” Robinson told The Washington Post. “In the past, government and industry were timid. After Katrina, we saw what can happen if you don’t prepare properly for a disaster. We now leave no stone unturned. That approach permeates every aspect of our work, from the stockpiling of vaccines to research and development.”
BARDA provides a systematic approach to developing, stockpiling and domestic manufacturing of vaccines, drugs, therapies and diagnostic tools to support public health emergencies and protect Americans from bioterrorism.
A Mississippi native, Robinson received his bachelor’s degree from Millsaps College and his doctoral degree from the UM Medical School.
For more information or for assistance related to a disability, contact Melissa Graves at 662-915-1474.