Dr. Ernest T. Takafuji is the Director for Biodefense Research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.  His responsibilities include coordinating biodefense research initiatives of NIAID, developing strategic approaches in medical biodefense research with other federal agencies, and representing the NIAID/NIH in various national and international forums.  The NIH biodefense effort includes research directed at microbial and toxin threats, radiological and nuclear threats and chemical threats to the nation.  He received his B.A. degree from the University of Hawaii, his M.P.H. degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene & Public Health, and his M.D. degree from the University of New Mexico.  He is board-certified by the American College of Preventive Medicine and a fellow or member of many professional organizations.  Before joining the NIH in 2002, he served for 30 years in the U.S. Army as Director/Commander of three military research institutions: the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), and the Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD); Principal Consultant to the Army Surgeon General in Disease Control and Communicable Diseases, Medical Chemical Defense and Biological Defense; and Director of Medical Chemical and Biological Defense Programs in the Office of the Asst. Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dept. of Defense.