Dr. Yilma is a veterinary virologist, a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. He is the Director of the International Laboratory of Molecular Biology (ILMB), whose mission is to conduct and coordinate research that brings together experts in molecular biology to facilitate work on pathogenesis of human and animal tropical infectious diseases. The ILMB has specific goals of developing recombinant vaccines and rapid diagnostic kits to aid in tropical infectious disease control, such as rinderpest, foot and mouth disease, and AIDS. The long term goal of the ILMB is to facilitate the transfer of technologies to developing countries. In addition, the ILMB provides opportunities for training in research to undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students, and postdoctoral fellows from the United States and around the world, with particular programs for scholars from developing countries. The ILMB has been designated a Collaborative Laboratory for the FAO, and has served as a resource for a number of national and international agencies, receiving requests from many different nations for assistance and consultation with research problems and in transferring technologies to developing countries. The ILMB is also a major participant in the Middle East Regional Cooperation established by the Camp David Agreements. Please contact Dr. Yilma at tdyilma@ucdavis.edu for further information.