Anthony Baughn, PhD, has joined the RIO staff as the new director of the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Program. Baughn is an associate professor within the UMN Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Medical School. He has 27 years of experience working in the area of bacterial pathogenesis and has 20 years of experience conducting research in BSL-3 laboratories.
Baughn joined the UMN faculty in 2010. His research focuses on drug discovery efforts using bacterial culture and infection studies with various sources of macrophages and numerous different strains of mice. He has extensive experience with high containment research accompanied by exceptional knowledge of best practices in exposure control, use of personal protective equipment, use of engineering controls, regular continuous self monitoring, and participation in routine surveillance efforts in coordination with the Biosafety and Occupational Health Department.
“Anthony brings exceptional leadership to the BSL-3 Program,” said Vice President for Research and Innovation Shashank Priya. “Since joining the University, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including acting as the principal investigator of a highly-funded major research program, leading the BSL-3 Advisory Committee, and leading the Dual Use Research of Concern Institutional Review Entity. Through his participation and leadership on these committees, he has created outstanding working relationships with other stakeholders that he can leverage in leading the BSL-3 program.”
“Prof. Baughn’s extensive experience with high-containment environments, both as a researcher and a leader, will be a major asset for the BSL-3 program,” said Associate Vice President Kim Kirkpatrick, who chaired the BSL-3 Director search committee.
Baughn steps in for Maxim Cheeran, who served as BSL-3 director since the program's inception in 2009. Over the course of his tenure, Cheeran developed five specialized facilities that operate at very high standards for containment and have been successfully registered with the Federal Select Agent Program. He is now serving as Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine.