Los Alamos selects new biological threat reduction program manager

Contact: Shelley Thompson, shelley@lanl.gov, (505) 665-7778

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Oct. 4, 2001 -- Gary Resnick has been named manager of the Biological Threat Reduction Program at the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos'program in Biological Threat Reduction aims to reduce the possible threat of biological agents from terrorist groups or third world countries.

"The threat of biological terrorism is one of the most significant and challenging issues facing the United States and the world today," said Don Cobb, associate director for threat reduction. "We are marshaling our considerable scientific and technical resources to help counter this threat. Gary Resnick is a widely recognized leader in this area and I look forward to having him spearhead our biological threat reduction effort."

Resnick, a senior leader within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), is currently the executive manager of the Department of Defense's Chemical and Biological Defense Program, which includes basic research through engineering development and production to provide defense personnel with chemical and biological defense materiel. DTRA also supports the chemical and biological threat reduction mission in the areas of nonproliferation, active defense and counter-force programs.

Resnick's responsibilities at Los Alamos will include expanding and managing the Laboratory's Biological Threat Reduction Program. He will work with the Laboratory's technical division directors on developing and implementing plans to respond to current and emerging national biological threat issues.

Resnick, who has a long history in biological threat reduction, said that he is excited to lead Los Alamos' program. "I am extremely pleased to have the honor of working on one of the most serious threats to our national security, the threat from biological warfare agents, with the world-class scientists of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

My family and I are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the Northern New Mexico community."

Resnick also will be responsible for collaborative efforts to meet the needs and goals of agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and intelligence and law enforcement communities in the technology areas relevant to biological threat reduction.

Resnick earned a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Rhode Island in 1978 and was a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin where he pursued research programs in toxinology. His formal educational background also includes medical science, ecology and mammalian physiology.

Resnick has led several multi-million dollar programs for the U.S. Army in the area of chemical and biological threat reduction. His responsibilities included development of chemical and biological defense materiel and smoke and obscurant programs and applied biotechnology and aerosol test technology for use in testing and environmental monitoring. He tested biological defense systems, managed budgets and assured compliance in safety and environmental programs.

The existing biological threat reduction program that Resnick will oversee has a budget of approximately $12 million. "The events of this past September 11 and growing concern of terrorist activities world-wide, but especially on American soil, will mean increased emphasis on developing the needed science and technology to ensure the safety of our communities," said Jill Trewhella, bioscience division leader. "We are indeed fortunate to have someone of Gary Resnick's caliber to lead the Los Alamos response to this critically important national security mission."

Resnick will join the Laboratory on October 9.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

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