Responding to public concern about bio-terrorism, Clemson University officials assembled a team of experts to provide information. The following resources provide the media and public with names, contacts and answers to frequently asked questions about biological materials that can cause harm to humans.

One question needs to be answered now: No laboratory or research facility at Clemson University possesses cultures of the anthrax bacterium. The university office of environmental health and safety oversees and maintains a database inventorying research and teaching uses of harmful materials. Faculty are required to report who, where, when and how harmful material will be used, along with safety and disposal procedures. No undergraduates are permitted to use harmful materials without supervision. For more information, contact William "Robin" Newberry, chief environmental health and safety officer, at work (864) 656-1806, mobile (864) 650-8150 or by email.
 

Jones Bryan
South Carolina State Veterinarian and Director, Livestock Poultry Health (LPH)
(803) 788-2260 office phone
(803) 360-1101 cell phone

The contact person for all information relative to regulation and enforcement of laws related to animals and animal products, including authorization of vaccinations in livestock, importation of livestock, and reporting of state statistics on livestock and poultry disease. Contact for many producer groups and commodity groups involved in livestock and poultry production.

Tony Caver
Pathologist, Veterinary Diagnostic Center
(803) 788-2260 office phone

Contact for bio-terrorism threats of zoonotic (diseases transmittable from animals to humans) agents, including anthrax, and information regarding vaccination against anthrax. Information source for foreign animal diseases, such as foot and mouth disease and rinderpest in livestock.

Raymond Hines
Microbiologist, Veterinary Diagnostic Center
(803) 788-2260 office phone

Food safety and microbiological detection of disease pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses) in veterinary medicine and those capable of causing zoonotic (diseases transmittable from animals to humans) disease, such as anthrax.

Dan Lafontaine
Associate Director LPH, Director State Meat Inspection
(803) 788-2260 office phone

Food safety and information on testing of state inspected meat and poultry at slaughter and processing plants.

Rice Macfie
Associate Director LPH, Director Animal Health Programs
(803) 788-2260 office phone

Animal permits and regulations for import, export and shipping, as well as information on regulated surveillance programs and reportable diseases of livestock in South Carolina. Contact for the reporting of cases in animals suspected of having anthrax and other reportable diseases in South Carolina.

Pamela G. Parnell
Associate Director LPH, Director Veterinary Diagnostic Center
(803) 788-2260 office phone

Contact for shipment and handling of animal samples for diagnostic testing and identification of disease agents. Also deals with diagnostic-testing capabilities for veterinary samples, disease surveillance and monitoring by the laboratory.

Dr. Venaye P. Reece
Field Veterinarian, Animal Health Programs
SC Animal Emergency Response Coordinator

Acts as liaison for integration of Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) or Bioterrorism event with the SC Emergency Preparedness Division (SCEPD) and Federal response agencies. Head of SERT Team for EST-17, Animal Emergency Response at the SC Emergency Operations Center. Coordinates interagency response to FAD/Bioterrorism. Develops LPH and state planning and training programs for FAD and Bioterrorism.

Susan Barefoot
Associate Dean and Program Director, Food Safety and Nutrition
(864) 656-5692; email

Contact for information about medical surveillance and quick response programs. Also deals with training for individuals and groups exposed to animals or biohazards.

William M. Simpson, M.D.
Medical Director of the Agromedicine Program,
Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston
(843) 792-3607; email

Contact for farming practices that can create human health problems.

Robert Cantey
Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston
(843) 792-4541; email

NOTE: Individuals usually can be reached through office switchboard from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30p.m. at (864) 646-2120.

Neil Ogg
Director, Regulatory and Public Service Programs (RPSP)

Contact for information on pesticides, fertilizer, aerial applicators and agricultural chemicals in groundwater.

Tim Drake
State Program Manager, Department of Pesticide Regulation

Contact for information on pesticides, fertilizer, aerial applicators and agricultural chemicals in groundwater.

David Howle
Department Head, Fertilizer and Seed Certification Services

Contact for information on fertilizer.

Cam Lay
Assistant Department Head, Pesticide Regulation

Contact for information on pesticides, aerial applicators and agricultural chemicals in groundwater.

Von McCaskill
Department Head, Pesticide Regulation

Contact for information on pesticides, aerial applicators and agricultural chemicals in groundwater.

Jerry Moore
Hydrogeologist, Department of Pesticide Regulation

Contact for information on agricultural chemicals in groundwater.

Tracy Outlaw
Public Information Coordinator for RPSP

Contact for information on pesticides, fertilizer, aerial applicators and agricultural chemicals in groundwater.

Chris Ray
Program Manager, Fertilizer and Seed Certification Services

Contact for information on fertilizer.

Harold E. Farris Jr.
Associate Vice President for Research Compliance 0636

(864) 656-0636, email

Contact for information bio-safety and institution procedures for ensuring safety and handling of human and animal research subjects. Clemson bio-safety includes reviews of research activities involving hazardous chemicals, biologicals and recombinant DNA.assist physicians and veterinarians in the selection of appropriate antibiotic treatment.