Kansas State University

TAD Fellows suit up for high-containment research training at the BRI

Submitted by Gabriella Doebele

For most students, summertime is a time for vacation and a break from studying, but one dedicated group of students will use this as a time for special laboratory training.

The Transboundary Animal Disease, or TAD, Fellowship at Kansas State University consists of a select group of veterinary and graduate students in the College of Veterinary Medicine who will get the chance to attend biosafety level 4, or BSL-4, training in the BSL-4 simulator at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory, or NEIDL, in Boston, Massachusetts.

According to Dana Vanlandingham, associate professor in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, TAD Fellows will gain a better understanding of high containment laboratories as well as firsthand training in the BSL-4 simulator. She has worked with the fellows through a series of graduate level diagnostic medicine and pathobiology courses and specific BSL-4 training modules conducted at K-State's Biosecurity Research Institute.

"We have had 11 total TAD Fellows over the past two years," Vanlandingham said. "These students were chosen because of their ability to conduct graduate-level research on TADs in a high containment environment. They will gain experience in Boston working in the NEIDL BSL-4 simulator in full suits including, dexterity training, emergency drill, and entry and exit procedures."

"Through the TAD Fellowship, we have had the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts in the field of high-containment and gain valuable hands-on experience in the laboratory," said Amy Lyons, master's degree student in veterinary biomedical science.

Before heading to the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory, the students met with scientists from the laboratory at the BRI for initial training on how to wear personal protective equipment designed for BSL-4 environments. The students expressed their eagerness to participate in the training in Boston in a few weeks.

"The TAD Fellowship and trip to the NIEDL is a unique opportunity because the diseases we have learned about have huge impacts both nationally and globally," said Christian Cook, doctoral student in pathobiology. "Receiving hands-on training about how to work with these agents in high-containment laboratories is hugely beneficial to develop the expertise necessary for diagnosis and research of foreign animal diseases."

"I am excited about the opportunity to undergo BSL-4 training at the NEIDL because I am interested in a career in high containment research and to continue to build on the strong foundation of knowledge and experience I have gained at the BRI," said Matthew Olcha, doctoral student in pathobiology. "As a veterinarian, I am very interested in the One Health initiative and building relationships with other scientists and institutions is one way we bring the human and animal health sectors together."

Some of the classes required for the TAD Fellows include DMP 690 Essential Practices for BSL-3 Research Settings, DMP 895-B Select Agent Studies and DMP 893 Principles of Biosafety and Biocontainment. After their time at the laboratory, attendees will receive certificates indicating that they received 32 hours of practical, hands-on experience in the BSL-4 simulator.