Texas Tech University

Center for Biodefense, Law & Public Policy

On September 23, 2001, the TTU Chancellor and President appointed the Task Force for Anti-Terrorism and Public Security to determine how Texas Tech University could best respond to the needs of the community, state and nation through our research and education resources. Among the recommendations from the Task Force was the formation of a Center to address law and public policy issues in biodefense.

From that recommendation, the Center for Biodefense, Law and Public Policy was established in September 2002 as an initiative of Provost Marcy, and Dr. Victoria Sutton was appointed the first Director. Center faculty are from not only the law school but from throughout the Texas Tech System from multiple disciplines such as mass communications, microbiology, medicine, forensic science, pathology, animal science, food science and plant science.

Since 2002, during our first five years, the Center's budget has more than doubled through grants and other support.

In Spring 2004 the Law and Biodefense Certificate was established by the law faculty.

In March 2005, the Center established a Core in Law, Policy and Ethics to support the work of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases through the Western Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, based in University of Texas-Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

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