News & Activities

News Articles

"Oklahoma hosts national agroterrorism conference" - Ron Dahlgren, OSU Agricultural Communications Services.

NIMFFAB Faculty and Staff Visit the OSU University Multispectral Laboratory in Ponca City, OK

Members of the National Institute for Microbial Forensics and Food and Agricultural Biosecurity (NIMFFAB) at Oklahoma State traveled to the OSU University Multispectral Laboratories (OSU-UML) in Ponca City, OK, on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. NIMFFAB Director Jacque Fletcher, Forensic Sciences faculty member Jarrad Wagner, and graduate students Stephanie Rogers, TeeCie West and Mindy James joined UML staff to learn about the OSU-UML's capabilities. The group discussed the UML's ability to serve as a focal point for collaboration and communication among researchers from Oklahoma and nationwide who are working on common themes in homeland security, and possibilities for collaborative ventures.

After discussing the OSU-UML capabilities, the group toured facilities that included state-of-the-art, modular laboratories, large conference rooms and offices, an indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, a university center, and a capacious cafeteria. The facility has the capability to store up to a petabyte of data on its advanced computer system. The OSU-UML facilities are therefore ideal for both individual and group research projects and for large-scale professional conferences.

Figure 1. Dr. James Barnes, UML scientist, demonstrates the laboratory's modular
design and state-of-the-art equipment for the NIMFFAB visitors.

Figure 2. Jim Lewellen, UML scientist (center), describes the facility's capabilities
to NIMFFAB Director Jacque Fletcher, NIMFFAB faculty member Jarrad Wagner,
UML scientist James Barnes, graduate students TeeCie
West, Stephanie Rogers, and Mindy James.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (July/August 2008): The Bulletin Interview: Jacqueline Fletcher - Plant Detective

September 23, 2008 ..... Hiring of Dr. Francisco M. Ochoa Corona, NIMFFAB:
Dr. Francisco M. Ochoa Corona was appointed Assistant Professor in the National Institute for Microbial Forensics & Food and Agricultural Biosecurity (NIMFFAB), Entomology and Plant Pathology Department, Oklahoma State University (OSU). He comes to us from the Investigation and Diagnostic Centre (IDC) at Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), where he was Principal Adviser in Virology. Dr. Ochoa Corona, a forensic plant pathologist, specializes in delivering and developing reference diagnostics for exotic, naturalized, and indigenous plant viruses and other phytopathogens of relevance to agricultural biosecurity. His work is applicable to plant pathogens that can be intercepted at the border, or detected by general surveillance of field settings or within transitional facilities. Ochoa Corona's research program in plant pathology will focus on agricultural biosecurity forensic applications of interest in Oklahoma, the southern plains and the United States. He will develop and teach a new undergraduate course in agricultural and food biosecurity and will contribute scientific input to regulatory officials regarding plant health emergencies.

Workshop: Plant Pathogen Forensics: Filling the Gaps, January 11-13, 2007, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

"Microbial Forensics and Ag Biosecurity: A National Priority" - OSU Vangard article by Jana Smith, OSU Research Communications.

"National ag biosecurity institute opens at OSU" - Donald Stotts and Ron Dahlgren, OSU Agricultural Communications Services.

Fall, 2007 ..... Hiring of Dr. Jarrad Wagner, OSU CHS:
Dr. Jarrad Wagner teaches courses and mentors research students in the area of forensic toxicology. Dr. Wagner formerly served as a Chemist for the FBI Laboratory, where he worked on crime scene investigations involving hazardous materials. His prior law enforcement experience also includes his time as a Forensic Scientist in the Toxicology section of the Orange County (CA) Sheriff-Coroner's office and his service as a Reserve Police Officer in the City of Irvine, CA. Dr. Wagner holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of California at Irvine. He has published several articles in scientific journals and has made presentations related to forensic science for professional institutes and trainings throughout the United States.

"Putting forensics to work in the field" - Farmer-Stockman, Willie Vogt

"Food Safety Experts at AAAS Briefing Urge More Protection for Crops and Livestock" - Benjamin Somers, AAAS

Activities

NIMFFAB group trip: National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, Manhattan, KS, July 2007

Travellers included graduate students TeeCie West, Stephanie Shryock and Christy Baker from OSU-Stillwater and Charlene Beaumann and Jesse Carver from OSU-Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa. Faculty visitors were Ulrich Melcher, Jacque Fletcher and Astri Wayadande from Stillwater, and Rob Allen from Tulsa. Our hosts at the NABC, Director Jim Stack and Associate Director Will Baldwin, showed us around their impressive facility - as well as the beautiful Konza Prairie!