Army scientist improves Chilean biological capability through exchange program

By Dan Lafontaine, RDECOMFebruary 12, 2015

Army scientist improves Chilean biological capability through exchange program
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Army scientist improves Chilean biological capability through exchange program
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army biologist Leanne Chacon, a participant in the Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program, visits the Chilean Army's 3rd Logistic Regiment in Arica, Chile, to learn about their identification capabilities in the laboratory for possible contamin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army scientist improves Chilean biological capability through exchange program
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Army scientist improves Chilean biological capability through exchange program
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Feb. 12, 2015) -- A U.S. Army scientist has enhanced the Chilean Army's biological identification proficiency after working in the country for a year.

Biologist Leanne Chacon spent 2014 in Santiago, Chile, as part of the Army's Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program. Her goal was to research commercially available biological identification equipment.

"They're interested in being able to determine if food or water samples that Soldiers are eating or drinking are contaminated, if there are biological agents in them, if vectors in the area have diseases caused by a parasite, bacteria or virus," said Chacon, who worked for the Chilean Army's health directorate. "You want to be able to identify if anything is in the food, water and air before anyone gets sick."

Once Chacon identified potential equipment to meet the Chileans' requirements, she had to find distributors to discuss what was commercially available, the costs and what agents they could identify. The Chilean Army requested a presumptive test that Soldiers could use in the field for quick results as well as a confirmatory analysis in a laboratory setting.

To gain a better understanding of Soldiers' needs, Chacon visited logistic regiments throughout Chile to understand the facilities, infrastructure and personnel who would operate the equipment.

"If they are able to buy the equipment that I recommended, they will have a huge advance in their biological capabilities set," she said.

In addition to Chacon's work with the identification equipment, she also developed an online biological training course to incorporate into one of the Chilean military schools.

As a biologist with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, Chacon's job back home is developing a biological identification system to detect, collect and identify bioaerosol threats. She said her scientific experience prepared her well for Chile.

"I have a background with detecting and identifying aerosol threats, and it translated well to what the Chileans wanted. My background really helped in understanding the technology, equipment and systems that I was researching," she said.

The year in Chile was mutually beneficial, Chacon said.

"They were excited when they found out where I've worked. They have heard of ECBC," she said. "A couple of the military personnel have been to the U.S. for training at Fort Leonard Wood.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a lot of work and an amazing experience. Chile is eager for U.S. scientists and engineers to be able to work with them and vice versa. A lot of foreign scientists would be interested in coming to ECBC too."

Yuriy Posherstnik, with RDECOM's Global Technology Integration Team, works with ESEP applicants and coordinates their packages before submitting them to the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Defense Exports and Cooperation.

Participants should be in General Schedule pay grades 12 through 14 (or acquisition demo equivalent) at the time of deployment, hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and have at least four years of technical experience in industry or military/government.

ESEP selection is based on the following criteria: technology area, host country of interest, candidate profile, merits of assignment/position description, quality of application, foreign language capability (as applicable) and command endorsement.

For more information on ESEP, visit https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/esep. For additional questions, contact Posherstnik at (410) 306-4832.

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The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.

Related Links:

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U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

Edgewood Chemical Biological Center