By establishing networks of scientists and clinicians in multiple collaborating institutions, the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases will serve as a research and educational resource for Iowa, the region, the nation and the world. Through such collaborations the Center will gather and analyze research findings including epidemiological data concerning human and veterinary zoonotic pathogens. Center staff and faculty will also evaluate infectious disease diagnostics and public health interventions in support of reducing infectious diseases morbidity and burden. The Center’s excellence will be internationally recognized, yielding training opportunities that attracts accomplished graduate students, foreign trainees and post-doctoral students to work with and within the center.