Paul Keim is a Professor of the Pathogen and Microbiome Division of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). At Northern Arizona University (NAU) he also is: a Regents Professor in Biology; Cowden Endowed Chair in Microbiology; and Executive Director of the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute. His work results in a unified approach to protecting America against dangerous pathogens. Dr. Keim’s efforts include: Bolstering of biodefense through improved forensic analysis; understanding interactions between man and microbe to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics that will alleviate the human ailments caused by dangerous pathogens; and developing an improved understanding of disease movement to reduce and control the incidence of disease. His pathogen genomics programs provide high-resolution genomic forensic analysis of biothreat pathogenic agents such as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Yersinia pestis (plague), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), Burkholderia mallei (glanders), Brucella melitensis (brucellosis), and Coxiella burnett (Q fever). These are considered the most dangerous of the bacterial bioterrorism and bioweapons agents. The programs also build upon collaborations with state and federal agencies in developing molecular identification tools for public health related pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and tuberculosis, which cause illness in billions of individuals worldwide. TGen will continue to create the scientific base to launch responses for acts of bioterrorism and to develop strategies to optimize public health management. In addition to development of advanced tests for dangerous pathogens, the programs focus on understanding the interaction between the pathogen and its environment (ecology), the movement of the pathogen and the associated ailments though a population (epidemiology), and the changes associated with the propagation of the pathogen over time (evolution).