2011-18756. National Biodefense Science Board; Call for Nominees

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of the Secretary is accepting resumes or curricula vitae from qualified individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the National Biodefense Science Board. Seven members have membership expiration dates of December 31, 2011; therefore seven new voting members will be selected for the Board. Nominees are being accepted in the following categories: Industry; academia, practicing healthcare professional, and organizations representing other appropriate stakeholders. Submit a resume or curriculum vitae [e-mail] by August 19, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, D.V.M., M.P.H., Executive Director, National Biodefense Science Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 330 C Street, SW., Switzer Building Room, 5127, Washington, DC 20447; 202-205-3815; fax: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to section 319M of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) and section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), the Department of Health and Human Services established the National Biodefense Science Board. The Board shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board may also provide advice and guidance to the Secretary and/or the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on other matters related to public health emergency preparedness and response.

Description of Duties: The Board shall advise the Secretary and/or ASPR on current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by advances in biological and life sciences, biotechnology, and genetic engineering with respect to threats posed by naturally occurring infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents. At the request of the Secretary and/or ASPR, the Board shall review and consider any information and findings received from the working groups established under 42 U.S.C. 247d-7f(b). At the request of the Secretary and/or ASPR, the Board shall provide recommendations and findings for expanded, intensified, and coordinated biodefense research and development activities. Additional advisory duties concerning public health emergency preparedness and response may be assigned at the discretion of the Secretary and/or ASPR.

Structure: The Board shall consist of 13 voting members, including the Chairperson; additionally, there may be non-voting ex officio members. Members and the Chairperson shall be appointed by the Secretary from among the Nation's preeminent scientific, public health and medical experts, as follows: (a) Such Federal officials as the Secretary determines are necessary to support the functions of the Board, (b) four individuals from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device industries, (c) four academicians, and (d) five other members as determined appropriate by the Secretary and/or ASPR, one of whom must be a practicing health care professional and one of whom must be from an organization representing health care consumers. Additional members for category (d), above, will be selected from among State and local governments and public health agencies, emergency medical responders and organizations representing other appropriate stakeholders. A member of the Board described in (b), (c), and (d) in the above paragraph shall serve for a term of 3 years, except that the Secretary may adjust the terms of the initial Board appointees in order to provide for a staggered term of appointment of all members. Members who are not fulltime or permanent part-time Federal employees shall be appointed by the Secretary as Special Government Employees.

Dated: July 18, 2011.

Nicole Lurie,

Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.