The overarching aim of this proposal is to contribute a comprehensive and integrated food protection laboratory hub from the state of Maryland to the national Food Emergency Response Network. The 14-track multi-faceted proposal coherently focuses testing across the diverse disciplines of microbiology, chemistry, and radiochemistry to offer an integrated infrastructure that is capable of analyzing food across many diverse threat priorities synergistically and reporting its results seamlessly. To accomplish the scientific aims of each individual project, expert Project Leaders have been deployed to each Analytical Track, and an experienced Principal Investigator, Manager, and Quality Assurance Officer have been recruited to oversee the entire effort as a holistic whole. A major advantage of this organizational structure is that all three disciplines are all housed within a single, unified division: the Division of Environmental Sciences in the MDH Laboratories Administration. This unity facilitates seamless and constant communication between diverse analytical track projects, thereby allowing effort to be coordinated in real-time. Testing extensively interfaces with a vigorous ISO/IEC 17025:2017- accredited Quality Assurance system to ensure quality operations. The robust organization system both leverages existing administrative structures as well as creates customized management mechanisms to address the unique aspects of this large-scale cooperative agreement. The result is a coherently focused effort that serves its regulatory partners, strengthens scientific collaborations, and bolsters federal programs at the highest level of quality scientific testing.
