Mary Beatrice Dias
Ph.D. Student
Department of Engineering & Public Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: mdias@andrew.cmu.edu
Research:
The Effect of the USA PATRIOT Act and the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act on Microbiological Research in the US
The 2001 USA PATRIOT Act and the 2002 Bioterrorism Preparedness Act include regulations to prevent theft and misuse of dangerous pathogens and toxins. Under these regulations, any laboratory that possesses one or more of 82 named select agents must enforce and adhere to specific security measures. Many speculated that the new requirements would hinder research efforts involving select agents. My objective is to investigate the impact these biosecurity laws had on scientific research involving B. anthracis and Ebola virus (two select agents), using publication data, econometrics, and qualitative approaches.
Advisors:
Professor Elizabeth Casman
Professor Francisco Veloso
Education Background:
Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Mathematics and Physics
Class of 2004
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY 13323
Work Experience:
Actuarial AnalystÂ
Aug 2004 – Jul 2006
CIGNA Group Insurance
Philadelphia, PA 19192