USDA appoints Clavijo as National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility director

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials have appointed Dr. Alfonso Clavijo as director of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).

The NBAF, which is currently under construction by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a research and diagnostic facility designed to protect the agricultural systems against the threat and potential impact of serious animal diseases.

“Dr. Clavijo brings with him a wealth of technical knowledge in the diagnosis of transboundary, emerging and zoonotic diseases,” said Chavonda Jacobs-Young, administrator for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). “As NBAF’s first permanent director, his extensive leadership experience will be a great asset in helping NBAF achieve its vision of being a national asset that protects U.S. agriculture and consumers through cutting-edge research, diagnostics, training, and development of vaccines and other countermeasures.”

Clavijo will begin executing his duties Oct. 13, playing a key role in ensuring a seamless transition of responsibility from DHS to USDA once the 574,000 square-foot facility becomes fully operational in four years.

Before accepting the NBAF appointment, Clavijo served as Laboratory Executive Director of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) National Centres for Animal Disease, which operates laboratories in Winnipeg and Lethbridge.