[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40480-40481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16178]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Biodefense Science Board; Call for Nominees

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The deadline for all application submissions to the National 
Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) is extended from July 7, 2013, to 
August 4, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. The Office of the Secretary is accepting 
application submissions from qualified individuals who wish to be 
considered for membership on the NBSB; six members have membership 
expiration dates of December 31, 2013, therefore, six new voting 
members will be selected for the Board. Nominees are being accepted in 
the following categories: Industry, Academia, Healthcare Consumer 
Organizations, and Organizations Representing Other Appropriate 
Stakeholders. Please visit the NBSB Web site at www.phe.gov/nbsb for 
all application submission information and instructions. All members of 
the public are encouraged to apply.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CAPT Charlotte Spires, DVM, MPH, 
DACVPM, Executive Director and Designated Federal Official, National 
Biodefense Science Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Thomas P. O'Neill Federal Building, Room number 14F18, 200 C 
St. SW., Washington, DC 20024; Office: 202-260-0627, Email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 319M of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) and section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), the Department of Health and Human 
Services established the National Biodefense Science Board. The Board 
shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on 
scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board may also 
provide advice and guidance to the Secretary and/or the Assistant 
Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on other matters related 
to public health emergency preparedness and response.
    Description of Duties: The Board shall advise the Secretary and/or 
ASPR on current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities 
presented by advances in biological and life sciences, biotechnology, 
and genetic engineering with respect to threats posed by naturally 
occurring infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, 
and nuclear agents. At the request of the Secretary and/or ASPR, the 
Board shall review and consider any information and findings received 
from the working groups established under 42 U.S.C. 247d-7f(b). At the 
request of the Secretary and/or ASPR, the Board shall provide 
recommendations and findings for expanded, intensified, and coordinated 
biodefense research and development activities. Additional advisory 
duties concerning public health emergency preparedness and response may 
be assigned at the discretion of the Secretary and/or ASPR.
    Structure: The Board shall consist of 13 voting members, including 
the Chairperson; additionally, there may be non-voting ex officio 
members. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 247d-7f(a), members and the chairperson 
shall be appointed by the Secretary from among the Nation's preeminent 
scientific, public health and medical experts, as follows: (a) Such 
federal officials as the Secretary determines are necessary to support 
the functions of the Board, (b) four individuals from the 
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device industries, (c) four 
academicians, and (d) five other members as determined appropriate by 
the Secretary and/or ASPR, one of whom must be a practicing health care 
professional, one of whom must be from an organization representing 
health care consumers, one of whom must have pediatric subject matter 
expertise, and one of whom shall be a State, tribal, territorial, or 
local public health official. Additional members for category (d), 
above, will be selected from among emergency medical responders and 
organizations representing other appropriate stakeholders. A member of

[[Page 40481]]

the Board described in (b), (c), and (d) in the above paragraph shall 
serve for a term of 3 years, except that the Secretary may adjust the 
terms of the initial Board appointees in order to provide for a 
staggered term of appointment of all members. Members who are not 
fulltime or permanent part-time federal employees shall be appointed by 
the Secretary as Special Government Employees.

    Dated: June 28, 2013.
Nicole Lurie,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-16178 Filed 7-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P