The National Academy of Sciences has appointed Linda D. Stetzenbach, professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the UNLV School of Public Health, as one of 14 members to its Committee on Protecting Occupants of Department of Defense (DOD) Buildings from Chemical or Biological Release.
The committee, which convened for the first time on Sept. 18, will conduct a study for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to aid in planning, design, and construction of chemical and biologically resistant buildings for the DOD. Meeting for two days each month through 2007, the committee will examine studies on existing facilities to determine how current science and technology can improve upon established protection systems.
"The concern is that DOD buildings have to be both secure and functional," said Stetzenbach. "Should disaster strike, measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of the occupants--from the resiliency of the building itself to rationing food, determining evacuation and notification procedures, and assessing various biological and chemical contaminants."
At the conclusion of the project, a public report will be issued detailing the committee's findings. In addition to recommendations for improving building and occupant safety, the report will feature a cost-benefit analysis that private sector industries could use to determine the feasibility of adopting the new technology.
Stetzenbach served as director of the microbiology division at UNLV's Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies from 1987 to 2005 and is currently a professor and graduate coordinator with the School of Public Health. Her research focuses on enhancing the methods used for detecting and identifying indoor airborne and surface microorganisms, particularly those that can impact environmental and human health. Recently, her work involving sampling methods for biocontaminants, such as anthrax and mold, have resulted in presentations to the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Congress.
"Linda has been a national leader in the field of microbiological research for years," said Dr. Mary Guinan, dean of the UNLV School of Public Health. "Since 9/11, she has contributed greatly to our nation's preparedness for the threat of bioterrorism. Her appointment to such a prestigious committee indicates that UNLV is making a difference on a national scale," she said.
Stetzenbach is currently on the science advisory board for the Homeland Security Advisory Committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She co-authored a book on quality assurance for life sciences researchers, co-edited the Manual of Environmental Microbiology, and has received research funding from NASA, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. EPA.
Detailed information about the Committee on Protecting Occupants of DOD Buildings from Chemical or Biological Release, including complete project description, meeting information and committee member bios, can be found online at nationalacademies.org by following the "current projects" link.
