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Biosecurity Briefing
HHS Announces Director for Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA) By Kunal Rambhia, April 18, 2008 On April 14, 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a press release naming Robin Robinson, Ph.D. as the first director of the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA). Dr. Robinson is moving from his position in BARDA as Deputy Director of the Influenza and Emerging Disease Program to the role of BARDA Director. The HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, RADM Craig Vanderwagen described Dr. Robinson as someone with “extensive experience in industry and government.”1 The release notes that Dr. Robinson “led the successful development, procurement, and stockpiling of the world’s first H5N1 influenza vaccine approved for human use.”1 Established in 2007, BARDA falls within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in HHS and is responsible for managing Project BioShield, “which includes the procurement and advanced development of medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear agents” and “for pandemic influenza and other emerging infectious diseases.”1 References
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