Mississippi State University has been designated as a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Reference Center on Antimicrobial Resistance and Aquaculture Biosecurity, which will be managed through the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security (GCAHFS), which is affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine. MSU William T. Giles Distinguished Professor and veterinary microbiologist Dr. Mark Lawrence is the Director of the GCAHFS, and Dr. Stephen Reichley serves as the GCAHFS Associate Director and is Head of the FAO Reference Center.
MSU GCAHFS attained this recognition after FAO's careful evaluation of the mandate, main activities, and competencies of MSU. Its attainment of scientific, technical, and policy standing as well as its commitment to strengthening capacity development in areas relevant to FAO’s mandate, in addition, to the extent and experience of prior collaboration with FAO.
An FAO reference center provides independent technical and scientific advice and supports FAO’s mandate for agricultural and aquacultural development and food security. The designation of MSU as an FAO Reference Center recognizes the University’s expertise and global leadership in antimicrobial resistance and aquaculture biosecurity. MSU and MSU GCAHFS is committed to supporting and serving the needs of the Mississippi aquaculture industry, and the university’s recognition as an FAO reference center will enable its experts to address the global issues of antimicrobial resistance, reducing the burden of disease in aquaculture.
You can read more about the Reference Centers here.