Speakers

Dr. Robert L. von Tersch currently serves as the Chief Science Officer, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and in that capacity, he guides and shapes the infectious disease research efforts to address the most dangerous pathogens.

The Institute is the only laboratory in the Department of Defense equipped to safely study highly hazardous pathogenic microorganisms requiring maximum containment at Biosafety Level 4. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and training programs that protect both Warfighters and civilians.

The Institute's unique science and technology base serves not only to address current threats to our Armed Forces but is an essential element in the medical response to any future biological threats that may confront our Nation.

Finally, Dr. von Tersch serves as the NATO Detection, Identification, and Monitoring Panel Deployable Analytical Laboratory (DAL) Tiger Team lead supporting NATO’s effort to revise AEP-66 NATO Handbook for the Sampling and Identification of CBR Agents and to develop an interoperable DAL. 

Colonel von Tersch came on active duty in 1992 after earning a bachelor of science in chemistry from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, under an ROTC scholarship, where he was a distinguished military graduate, and then his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Georgia in 1991.

His military education includes Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course and Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.