Competencies & Capabilities

Core Competencies

The Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) develops and delivers national and international capacity‑building and training programs that strengthen the resilience of the global food and agriculture system. IIAD’s programs focus on enhancing preparedness, biosecurity, and response capabilities across governmental, academic, and industry sectors.

Primary Geographic Focus

IIAD implements programs across key regions essential to global animal health and trade:

  • United States
  • Europe
  • Southeast Asia
  • Africa

These regions represent critical nodes of agricultural production, emerging disease threats, and strategic partnership opportunities.

Program Strengths & Areas of Expertise

Through long‑standing partnerships with U.S. federal agencies, industry leaders, and international organizations, IIAD delivers training and capacity‑building initiatives in:

Emergency Preparedness

  • Scenario‑based training and exercises
  • Workforce development for rapid animal health response
  • Strengthening coordination across local, state, federal, and international partners

Disease Mitigation & Response

  • Risk‑based surveillance strategies
  • Response planning for high‑consequence and transboundary animal diseases
  • Practical, applied training for veterinarians, emergency managers, and industry stakeholders

Biosecurity & Biosafety

  • Best practices across the livestock and food supply chain
  • Integration of biosurveillance, diagnostics, and secure data systems
  • Training to enhance on‑farm, laboratory, and transportation biosecurity

Partnership Network

IIAD collaborates extensively with:

  • U.S. federal agencies (e.g., USDA, DHS, DoD)
  • Industry partners across the livestock and agricultural sectors
  • International organizations, including academic and governmental counterparts in priority regions

These partnerships support coordinated approaches to animal health, strengthen global disease detection, and equip professionals with actionable skills to reduce risk and protect food systems.