Sharing Expertise with International Visitors
The Galveston National Lab hosted an impressive group of visitors on Friday, June 2. The professionals were official representatives of Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, and Venezuela, and they were completing a three-week tour of the U.S., courtesy of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
Among the visitors were representatives of health policy, public health services, research and healthcare. As guests of the U.S. Department of State, they traveled throughout the United States to learn how healthcare organizations, public health agencies and research institutions are addressing global health challenges and future pandemic preparedness. Specific objectives for their tour included:
- Explore public-private partnerships and collaboration in the medical field to combat infectious diseases, including media campaigns for public awareness;
- Examine the role of research and best practices to treat infectious diseases;
- Comprehend the role of community-based clinics and outreach health centers;
- Review the laws related to distributing vaccines and medicines;
- Explore the preparations for responding to outbreaks of disease;
- View the measures in place to control infectious diseases in hospitals; and
- Examine the role of NGOs in preventing and treating infectious diseases
Dr. Nikos Vasilakis, the Vice Chair of Research at UTMB who leads the NIH Center for Research on Emerging Infectious Diseases for the Central Americas, served as host for the group. Dr. Scott Weaver, Scientific Director for the Galveston National Laboratory, shared his expertise in surveillance, diagnostics, and vaccine development for mosquito borne illnesses, many that are endemic in the tropics.
The group not only learned about the research efforts underway in their region by UTMB investigators but also enjoyed a “behind the scenes” tour of the GNL. They are shown here on one of the mechanical floors in an area used for “spacesuit repair.” Dr. Vasilakis, right in the photo, led the tour along with Connie Holubar, the GNL’s Director of Operations.
The group’s Texas portion of the tour was coordinated by Global Austin. Interpreters were provided by the U.S. Department of State.