Source: USDA, 4/21/22 USDA Scientist Douglas
Gladue,
a research microbiologist for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has
received the 2021
Arthur S. Flemming award for his exceptional achievements in basic science.Dr. Gladue is one of the
agency's lead researchers for the African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine research
project in ARS' Plum
Island Animal Disease Research Center in Orient Point, N.Y. He is one of 12
award recipients from across the federal government. The Flemming Award was
established in 1948 to reflect Dr. Arthur S. Flemming's desire to recognize
early to mid-career public servants who go beyond what is expected and whose
federal government achievements have a broad, positive impact on society.
Together with the Arthur S. Flemming Awards Commission, the George Washington
University's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration
presents the awards annually in recognition of the outstanding achievements of
Federal employees with three to 15 years of service. "ARS' ability to deliver scientific solutions to animal
disease and African Swine Fever is strengthened by Dr. Douglas Gladue's
brilliant mind and research," said ARS Administrator Chavonda
Jacobs-Young. "We appreciate his commitment to innovation and
collaboration, and are proud to see his achievements receive the recognition
they deserve." Dr. Gladue co-leads a research team that developed the first
safe and effective vaccine candidate against ASF. The virus is mostly known to
cause virulent, deadly outbreaks in wild and domestic swine, and has caused
widespread and lethal outbreaks in various countries throughout Asia, Eastern
Europe and the Dominican Republic. There have not been any outbreaks in the
United States, but it's estimated that a national outbreak could cost at least
$14 billion over two years, and $50 billion over 10 years. The virus is not a
threat to humans and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans. No commercial vaccines are currently available to prevent the
virus from spreading. While working in Plum Island's laboratory, Dr. Gladue and
his team created an effective and safe ASF vaccine before transferring the
technology to a commercial partner. He is also responsible for developing a
diagnostic cell line for ASF that retains the vaccine characteristics while
simultaneously replicating the vaccine in lab-grown cell cultures. This
achievement has revolutionized diagnostics in laboratories worldwide, as
scientists no longer have to rely on gathering fresh cells from live swine.
Advancements like this greatly enhance ASF diagnostic capacity and animal
well-being. Recipients of the 2021 Arthur S. Flemming award will be honored
at an award ceremony in June. The winners are recognized for performing
outstanding service in the fields of applied science and engineering, basic
science, leadership and management, legal achievement, and social science. The Agricultural
Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific
in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural
problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research
results in $17 of economic impact.
|