Oklahoma State Universitystepped up to the challenge at the beginning of the 21st century in response to concerns such as widespread E. coli contaminations and anthrax bioterrorism attacks, which represent a growing threat to the nation’s food supplies and national security. The growing microbial forensics community at OSU is committed to the research and development of tools that will help restrict adverse pathogenic microbe introductions in the nation’s resources – crops, forests, rangelands, animal production, wildlife – and, of course, its food supplies.

To that end, the Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics works with federal and state agencies to develop targeted funding programs for high-priority research and technology development. That framework is designed to attract highly qualified faculty, post-doctorate researchers and technicians, who serve as a focal point for communication, collaboration, funding initiatives and outreach.