# Microbiology Food Defense

> **NIH FDA U19** · VA  DIVISION/CONSOLIDATED LAB SRVS · 2020 · $144,538

## Abstract

PAR-20-105 Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) (U19) 
 Microbiology Discipline 
 Analytical Track 1: Food Defense Track 
 Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services 
 Principal Investigator: Christopher Waggener, Ph.D. 
SF424: Other Project Information 
Project Summary: 
The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is the public health laboratory for the 
Commonwealth of Virginia and offers a wide variety of laboratory testing services for state and federal 
agencies, local governments and other states in support of public health, environmental protection 
and emergency response. DCLS provides surveillance and emergency response testing of food 
samples for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Food Safety 
Program by offering nearly comprehensive testing of food samples by microbiology, chemistry and 
radiochemical methods. DCLS obtained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in January 2017 and has 
expanded this scope of accreditation to include currently nine test methods, and proposes to maintain 
and further expand this accreditation scope to include up to three new test methods during the budget 
period. DCLS’ experience with testing unknown food samples along with participation in FERN 
proficiency testing events, dedicated BSL-3 trained staff, dedicated laboratory space and equipment 
and our long standing history with the FERN Network sets DCLS apart from other state testing 
facilities. 
If granted these funds for food defense, DCLS is committed to providing emergency testing for any 
situation when called upon by the FDA. DCLS is also committed to providing testing support for 
national security events as well as participate in all FERN proficiency tests and training when 
applicable. DCLS will participate in FDA-requested exercises, and/or surveillance activities to support 
and maintain a state of readiness. In an effort to maintain a state of readiness, DCLS will ensure 
analysts are trained and have passed competency exercises, all equipment will remain in working 
order, and reagents and supplies are available or could easily or quickly be procured.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10174324
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007077-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA  DIVISION/CONSOLIDATED LAB SRVS
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher Thomas Waggener
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $144,538
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10174324

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10174324, Microbiology Food Defense (1U19FD007077-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-03 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10174324. Licensed CC0.

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