PATRICIA R. BRIGHT
Manassas,VA
Summary
Compassionate veterinarian with outstanding communication skills. Extensive training in leadership including listening skills.
Professional leader with proven expertise in managing and guiding high-performing teams. Strong focus on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and delivering impactful results. Adept at navigating and adapting to changing needs, ensuring seamless collaboration and goal achievement. Skilled in conflict resolution, project oversight, and fostering collaborative environment.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Committee Chair
Prince William County Animal Advisory Committee
Prince William County, VA
01.2020 - Current
- Reports to the Prince William County, VA Board of County Supervisors
- Committee Chair (2022-2024), Vice Chair (2025). As Chair:
- Developed innovative partnership with the local Hospital Sustainable Resource Committee to receive surplus medical for use by the County animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitators.
- Successfully advocated for funding to add full time veterinarian and vet tech positions at the Shelter
- Created a new wildlife rehab position on the committee to increase public awareness and successfully resolve human-wildlife conflicts
- Partnering with the School Board on creating a high school level vocational Animal Science course
- Collaborating with the Board of County Supervisors to identify resources to provide temporary housing for pets whose owners are entering a domestic violence shelter
Senior Science Advisor for Environmental Health
Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Reston, VA, USA
08.2007 - Current
- Advise and support senior leadership on strategic science directions, identification of science and Congressional priorities, budget allocations, stakeholder needs and new funding and partnership opportunities utilizing a One Health approach.
- Keep Agency leadership apprised of emerging health threats support and advise on strategic science directions, budget allocations, Congressional priorities, stakeholder needs as well as new partnership and funding opportunities.
- Created and co-led the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Animal Welfare Working Group to promote the use of animal alternatives in DOI research. Conducted a 2-day workshop (120+ scientists) and monthly webinars, compiled/distributed information and funding opportunities related to the 3Rs, new methodologies and relevant emerging technologies.
- Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships that advance and leverage USGS science.
- Initiate cross-disciplinary science collaborations (with public health, agriculture, natural resource, homeland security, defense, climate, animal welfare and emergency response communities) both domestically and internationally.
- Ensure that policy decisions are informed by the sound science. Effectively communicate complex scientific information in a clear and understandable manner to DOI, Congress, OMB, interagency and White House-level working groups, media and the public.
- Led development and execution of “One Health” scientific activities and continuous improvement of existing activities including evaluation of outcomes and impacts and alignment with program priorities.
- Partner with other senior level colleagues in developing external partnerships and opportunities, achieving strategic goals, and implementing new methods for addressing science challenges.
- Enhance coordination and leverage efforts to raise awareness of and address newly emerging health threats across programs and offices including communications, public affairs and budget offices.
- Selected by USGS Director to serve as the “One Health Focal Point” supporting the DOI Assistant Secretary. Support the development of national and international strategies, guidance and activities to address scientific and technological challenges.
- The DOI Office of Emergency Management Draft and/or provide technical review and input on international and national policies and guidance scientific to address global health security scientific and technological challenges. Provide technical expertise on national and international committees related to global health security including: disaster response, biosecurity, food security, One Health, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, transboundary animal disease, etc.
- Identify and assess needs of stakeholders including NGOs and international partners coordinate science capabilities and expertise to address among internal and external agencies including international partners and NGOs to meet stated priorities.
- Represent USGS and DOI on interagency committees including White House Office of Science, Technology and Policy subcommittees.as the Agency’s technical expert on a range of human, animal and environmental health topics (e.g., zoonotic diseases, mitigation of health risks, One Health, Global Health)
- Multiple Positions with Advancing Responsibility
Senior One Health Technical Advisor
Senior One Health Technical Advisor
10.2018 - 09.2021
- Detailed from USGS to U.S. Agency for international Development, Global Health Bureau /Infectious Diseases/Emerging Threats Division (ETD)
- Served as a key advisor to the Agency leadership on environmental risk assessment, animal welfare, disease, wildlife conservation, ecological health, climate and emergency response.
- Work with multinational organizations and partners to develop strategies, processes, and guidelines to address global health related scientific and technological challenges. And ensure that policy decisions are informed by sound science.
- Acquired skills to effectively address global health challenges by engaging diverse stakeholders across multiple cultures. Mastered techniques for distilling complex information into concise easily understood concepts.
- Selected by Global Health Bureau Director to serve as Incident Commander for the COVID -19 Response Team for a 6-month rotation. Led a 20-person team in identifying needs, strategizing logistics and deploying resources including ventilators, biosafety equipment, and vaccines to 43 countries.
- Facilitated the development, implementation and evaluation of Assistance projects to increase African and Asian country capacities for preventing and controlling emerging zoonotic disease threats in Asia and Africa.
- Identified and promoted intra-agency collaboration with other USAID offices and Bureaus with mutual interests and in-country partners that were focused on or have relevant in-country partners related to wildlife, biodiversity and environmental conservation.
- Global Health Security Agenda Country Backstop (Cameroon). Supported and coordinated strategic planning and program management. Reviewed and developed policy guidance and procedural materials (SOPs) for use by in-country field personnel.
- Achieved Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) certification; acquired knowledge required for ensuring prudent management of humanitarian assistance awards.
- AOR and Team Lead for a $33M annual award to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. Provided technical advice, strategic direction and fiscal oversight. Oversaw workplans, and project evaluations and budget allocations. Ensured compliance with all U.S. laws and USAID policies. Ensure humane handling and treatment of animals during surveillance and sampling.
- AOR and Design team lead for the “STOP Spillover” Award ($50M) to create innovative risk assessment and mitigation methods. Oversaw development of the project concept to selection of grantee, partnership and donor development and project implementation.
- Liaised with the international organizations, donors, host countries, universities, and US agencies to solicit collaboration and share best practices. Utilized insights to shape program activities and strategic directions, design new procurements, and effectively leverage resources and capabilities.
- Oversaw the program budget ($XX/yr) in collaboration with program managers, research center leadership, the budget office and scientists to enhance research funding; and ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
- Co-led creation of the USAID One Health Working Group. Collaborated with senior team leads across the agency to develop external partnerships and opportunities for achieving mutual goals, and implementing innovative ideas to address challenges.
- Represent USAID to stakeholders, partners, funders, government agencies, media, and the public.
USGS Biological Threat Preparedness and Response Coordinator
USGS Biological Threat Preparedness and Response Coordinator
08.2007 - 09.2018
- During critical health events:
- Advised senior leadership of emerging health threats.
- Co-led agency-wide preparedness and response efforts, supported implementation of sound evidence-based policies, and response activities across sectors to support pandemic preparedness, and response activities for hurricanes, oil spills, disease outbreaks, etc.
- Deployed to FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center during disaster events.
Skills
- Creative problem solving
- Crisis Communications, forward thinking, Veterinary epidemiology (population health), problem solving
Certification
- Top Secret/SCI Clearance, 2011-2021
- Board Certification -The American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
- Expertise in epidemiology, AMR, infectious and zoonotic diseases, disease surveillance, food safety, environmental health, emergency preparedness, public health and toxicology.
- Virginia Veterinary License, 1995- present
Awards
U.S. Geological Survey Star Award for Excellence, 2024, 2012, USAID Honor Award for COVID Leadership, 2021, American Association of Avian Veterinarians Distinguished Service Award, 2007, US Fish and Wildlife Service Partnership Award, 2003, Budweiser National Conservation Scholar, 2001, USDA Group Honor Award - Excellence in Foot and Mouth Disease Eradication, 2001
Timeline
Committee Chair
Prince William County Animal Advisory Committee
01.2020 - Current
Senior One Health Technical Advisor
Senior One Health Technical Advisor
10.2018 - 09.2021
Senior Science Advisor for Environmental Health
Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
08.2007 - Current
USGS Biological Threat Preparedness and Response Coordinator
USGS Biological Threat Preparedness and Response Coordinator
08.2007 - 09.2018