# Vet-LIRN Portal

> **NIH FDA U18** · EJH & ASSOCIATES, LLC · 2022 · $150,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The UMN Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory and Food Protection and Defense Institute (FPDI)
propose the development and operations of a Vet-LIRN portal; a collaborative suite of online
tools that reside on the CoreSHIELD Information Technology platform. Capabilities include
customized working groups, web-based proficiency testing registration and management, and
tools that support secure information sharing among animal health and veterinary diagnostic
stakeholders. Collectively, the CoreSHIELD suite of tools is a sustainable model built and
operationalized for secure communication, coordination, collaboration, education, and training
among stakeholders charged with protecting the nation's critical infrastructures such as food
and agriculture. This proposal focuses on two main objectives:
1. Develop tools that advance Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network
 (Vet-LIRN) laboratories’ capacity to respond to animal food/drug related contamination
 through efficient online data capture and management of laboratory capabilities and
 proficiency testing results.
2. Facilitate secure information sharing and communication for enhanced animal and public
health.
CoreSHIELD tools allow professionals working in different organizations (e.g. government,
academia) to work together on essential missions and responsibilities despite differences in
authorities, objectives, and roles. This robust platform connects the community stakeholders to
a centralized online environment and houses databases of current information related to the
mission of the Vet-LIRN to include but not limited to laboratory testing protocols, facilities,
equipment and professional expertise and contacts. Current CoreSHIELD Information Sharing
Environments (ISEs) include the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN-
https://www.fernlab.org) and the APHIS Laboratory Portal (https://www.nahln.org), formerly
called the National Animal Laboratory Network Portal.
The work is critical as FDA monitors the capability and performance of state, and university
animal diagnostic laboratories to respond to threats; from past intentional melamine
contamination in pet food to emerging antimicrobial resistance of bacterial pathogens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10509396
- **Project number:** 5U18FD006863-05
- **Recipient organization:** EJH & ASSOCIATES, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Hoffman
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $150,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-05 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10509396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10509396, Vet-LIRN Portal (5U18FD006863-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10509396. Licensed CC0.

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