PUBLIC HEALTH IS PART OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY: SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN OKLAHOMA
James L. Regens, PhD, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for Biosecurity Research
Dr. Regens' research is protecting the military and all Americans from bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases. "Public health research is an integral part of economic growth; leveraging scientific innovation is challenging, but essential."
James L. Regens, PhD likes to think of himself as a rainmaker, not necessarily for money, but for the development of experts in the public health field who each year are making strides in health research. Dr. Regen explains, "This is important to America because adding to the scientific workforce is not only gratifying in a way that money, personal honors and accolades cannot match, but also because if we don't grow our successors, our ability to advance our scientific capability will atrophy." He continues, "There is ample evidence to support the benefit of competition and economic development for our country spurred by investing in the scientific and technological capabilities of the U.S. We only have so many resources and we must be able to support the next generation of researchers."
His interdisciplinary approach combines a multitude of factors including risk assessment and epidemiology. Students walk away from his classes with a deep understanding of the positive impact public health research can have on the health of all Americans.
Specifically, Regens has led a major study on human health and the effects from nuclear weapons production. These findings have helped inform decisions made at the federal level on potential vs. perceived risk. Another project focused on biological pathogens, specifically aerosols. This research will strengthen the nation's biological defenses in case of attack or an infectious disease outbreak.
Regens says, "Health research is an integral part to enhancing economic growth. Leveraging scientific innovation is challenging, but essential. The 20th century was marked by major advances in physics and chemistry — the 21st century is poised to do the same in biological advances and we must continue to support the research that will lead to advances of these magnitudes."
He urges policy makers to look at the case for investing in health research and then examine how that investment is to be financed. Regens concludes, "As a guarded optimist, and knowing we must make difficult policy choices in the future, I would like to see a consensus reached where access to healthcare and funding for health research becomes viewed like education - equal access for all instead of to whom."