CDC names associate director of laboratory safety

Atlanta – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named Stephan Monroe associate director for laboratory science and safety in the wake of several highly publicized laboratory incidents involving Ebola and anthrax.

Monroe, who has served as acting associate director for laboratory science and safety since May, will oversee “laboratory science and safety initiatives and improvement efforts,” CDC announced in a Sept. 15 press release. Monroe previously served as deputy director of CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; prior to that he was director of its Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology and the Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases.

Monroe specified three main priorities for his office: identifying patterns in lab incidents, identifying and emphasizing best practices for lab safety, and recruiting and retaining the best staff.

“The American people count on CDC to work 24/7 to protect their health, and laboratory science and safety are critical components of our work,” CDC Director Tom Frieden, said in a press release. “Dr. Monroe brings critically important experience to further strengthen science and safety across all CDC labs.”