By Scout Nelson
To advance U.S. defense efforts, the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have appointed Meghan Jackson as director for food, agriculture, and environment security.
This focus area was established in late 2022 to assist U.S. government agencies in safeguarding the nation from various threats to food production systems, including intentional, accidental, and natural threats.
NSRI and IANR have worked together to engage researchers and partners across Nebraska's four campuses. They hosted a launch workshop in March 2023 and created a working group of NSRI Fellows in fall 2023 to address food, agriculture, and environmental security.
The NSRI Fellows, composed of faculty researchers from the NU system, led a discussion on the resiliency of agricultural systems at the 2024 NSRI Fellows Conference in April.
“The next step in activating this initiative is to have a dedicated person at the helm, guiding our research priorities, rallying talent and tackling research deliverables,” stated Neal Woollen, NSRI associate executive director. “We could not be more pleased to bring Ms. Jackson into this role. Her expertise in technical programs and project management as well as her diverse experiences working with agricultural researchers will provide NU a conduit for collaborations across disciplines and insight into national security needs.”
In her new role, Jackson will combine IANR’s history of innovation with NSRI’s experience in addressing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
She will leverage NSRI’s status as a University Affiliated Research Center designated by the U.S. Department of Defense, which allows for efficient project initiation and collaboration.
Research priorities include advancing African swine fever vaccine research, providing training to federal agencies on food and agriculture threat responses, and examining the impact of climate conditions on diseases like West Nile Virus.
Jackson’s expertise will enhance Nebraska’s agricultural research and establish productive partnerships with federal and state agencies.
Previously, Jackson worked with the USDA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to protect American agriculture from transboundary animal diseases. She facilitated important training and response exercises and was instrumental in the transition of the Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory.
“I have been extremely impressed by the resources that NU offers to this critical initiative,” Jackson remarked. “The diversity of Nebraska itself really sets us apart and provides an opportunity to conduct research that is applicable around the world. I am hitting the ground running.”
Photo Credit:usda
Categories: Nebraska, General