Global Center for Health Security

- Our Expertise Overview
- Why Nebraska?
  Nebraska’s difference is an all-star, all-volunteer team that dedicated itself to being ready for any biocontainment crisis at any time.
- Leadership
  The Global Center is led by experts in biopreparedness and high-consequence infections research, education and clinical care.
- Scholars
  Our scholars represent the pinnacle of health security expertise and are integral to advancing the mission of the GCHS in the domains of clinical care, operational response, research and development, and training in health security, and emergency response. GCHS scholars play a critical role by contributing to strategic priorities, shaping initiatives, and advancing the GCHS’s global leadership.
- Affiliates
  Our affiliates are innovative experts collaborating to advance global health security.
- C-STARS
  C-STARS, the Center for Sustainment of Trauma Readiness Skills- Omaha is a collaboration between UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s School of Aerospace Medicine. C-STARS Omaha works closely with UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, iEXCEL, and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit to take advantage of the medical center’s capabilities and expertise in biopreparedness training and research.
- Our Team
  Our team consists of a variety of professionals providing support and project management to further the Global Center for Health Security’s mission.
- Domains Overview
- Clinical Operations
  The Global Center for Health Security is the premier U.S. institution for management of high-consequence infections. Further, our clinical capabilities include biological, chemical, burn, and radiation domains.
- Education & Training
  Our expertise is now sought worldwide and officially sanctioned by the U.S. government. The GCHS is the home base to the national Training, Simulation, and Quarantine Center and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.
- Research
  The GCHS has laser-focused existing work by our leading scientists in fields like chemical weapons, drug discovery and public health.
- International Partnerships & Innovation
  The GCHS tackles the most pressing problems in emerging infectious diseases through international partnerships and innovation.
- Programs Overview
- Core Capabilities
  Learn about the GCHS’ 4 core capabilities: Emerging Pathogens Lab , Nebraska Biocontainment Unit , the National Quarantine Unit, and deployable teams.
- Core Programs
  The GCHS works with multiple core programs to enhance our capabilities to respond effectively to public health challenges.
- Partnerships
  The GCHS partners with many outside organizations to strengthen our commitment to addressing global health challenges through research and innovation.
- Associated Groups & Programs
  Learn more about the impactful programs led by GCHS leadership, scholar, and affiliates.
- Academic Programs
  Explore GCHS academic programs which include the Health Security Fellowship and the Biological Defense and Health Security program.
- Health Emergencies Overview
- Outbreaks to Watch
  Find information about emerging pathogens, diseases and outbreaks from around the world. Stay updated on the most recent information on worldwide global health and emerging pathogens outbreaks.
- Measles
  The GCHS is currently monitoring measles cases. This page provides information, resources, and news.
- Emerging Respiratory Infections
  Explore current respiratory infections such as Influenza, Whopping Cough, RSV and more.
- H5 Avian Influenza
  Learn more about the current worldwide H5 Avian Influenza outbreak and explore resources, news, webinars, and our unofficial map.
- Mpox
  The Global Center for Health Security is currently monitoring the spread of mpox. Learn more by viewing our resources.
- COVID-19
  Explore our COVID-19 page for recent news, resources, manuals, and playbooks. Biweekly overviews of new data and developments presented by James V. Lawler, MD, MPH, FIDSA can now be found on the Health Emergencies page.
The Transmission
- News Overview
- Events
  Find scheduled and past events involving the Global Center for Health Security.
- Annual Reports
  Find annual reports for our center and several of our programs.
- Videos
  Explore our videos.

GCHS Leadership

Leadership Team

John J. Lowe, PhD

Director, Global Center for Health Security (GCHS), UNMC
Professor and Anne M. Hubbard Chair, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, UNMC
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Health Security Training and Education, Academic Affairs, UNMC
Co-Primary Investigator, National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center

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John-Martin Lowe

Dossy Felts, MBA, MHA, FACHE

Associate Director of Administration and Operations, GCHS
Director, Office of Special Projects, Vice Chancellor for Research Office

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Dossy Felts, MBA, MHA, FACHE

James Lawler, MD, MPH, FIDSA

Associate Director of International Programs and Innovation, GCHS
Professor, UNMC College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases

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James Lawler

Angela Ling, MSN, FNP-C

Operational Response Committee Co-Chair, GCHS
Executive Director, Region VII Disaster Health Response Ecosystem
Instructor, UNMC College of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine

Angela Ling

Rachel Prudhomme, MBA

Associate Director of Business and Finance, GCHS

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Rachel Prudhomme

Joshua Santarpia, PhD

Associate Director of Academic Affairs, GCHS
Director, Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Area Graduate Program
Professor, UNMC College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Advisor, National Strategic Research Institute

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Joshua Santarpia

Lauren M. Sauer, PhD, MSc

Associate Director of Research, GCHS
Director, Special Pathogen Research Network
Associate Professor, UNMC College of Public Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health

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Lauren Sauer

Col Elizabeth Schnaubelt, MD

Director, C-STARS Omaha
Colonel, U.S Air Force
Air Force Infectious Disease Physician
Clinical Assistant Professor, UNMC College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
GCHS Scholar

Angela Vasa, MSN, RN

Operational Response Committee Co-Chair, GCHS
Director, Isolation & Quarantine, Nebraska Medicine
Director, Emergency Preparedness and Special Pathogen Programs, UNMC
GCHS Scholar

Angela Vasa

GCHS Advisors

Chris Kratochvil, MD

Senior Advisor & Distinguished Chair, GCHS
Vice Chancellor for External Relations, UNMC
Vice President for External Relations, University of Nebraska System

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Chris Kratochvil

Shelly Schwedhelm, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

GCHS Advisor

Shelly Schwedhelm