Gerald Parker

Dr. Parker is Associate Dean for Global One Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and Director of the Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy Program at the Bush School of Government and Public Service.   

Parker serves on several advisory boards, including the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response, the Bipartisan Commission for Biodefense, and the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity. 

Prior to Texas A&M, Parker spent 36 years as an interagency leader in biodefense, high consequence emerging infectious diseases, global health security and all-hazards public health/medical preparedness.  This included coordinating federal medical/public health responses to Hurricanes Katrina thru Alex, the 2009 Pandemic and Haiti earthquake.  His service includes 26 years leading military medical research and development programs, including Commander and Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.  Parker held senior positions at the Departments of Health and Human Services and Defense, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (HHS) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense (DOD). 

Parker received the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award (2009), the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service (2013), and the Senator Melcher Leadership in Public Policy Award (2019).