Pathobiologist to share expertise with policymakers

Steven Geary, a professor of pathobiology who specializes in infectious diseases of animals, is one of eight tenured professors nationwide selected to be 2008-09 Jefferson Science Fellows at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

He will be the first microbiologist/vaccinologist to serve as a Jefferson Fellow.

The fellowship program brings specialized scientific knowledge to the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy.

Beginning in August, Geary will spend a year working full-time in either the State Department or the U.S. Agency for International Development, providing up-to-date expertise on issues that impact U.S. foreign policy decisions.

“I see this as an excellent opportunity to learn first hand how science and technology are used in our relationship with other nations,” says Geary, director of UConn’s Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, “and the process whereby policy at the State Department is developed.”

Geary hopes to bring his expertise in microbial diseases that can devastate the food animal industry to help the Department of State formulate and implement foreign policy to prevent agro-terrorism.

He also will discuss science and technology with the general public, and may travel to U.S. embassies.

He says that with the ever-increasing risk that damaging infections could be introduced to the U.S. food animal economy, there is “an immediate need to improve our ability to detect, monitor, and prevent microbial diseases.”

After their year of service, the fellows agree to resume their academic careers and remain available to the Department of State as consultants for five years.