Chris Taft

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

WRAIR provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations. Through both times of peace and war, infectious diseases have killed, sickened, and disabled far more Service Members than bombs and bullets. WRAIR has created a model of vaccine and therapeutic development that is unique, nimble, and responsive to dynamically evolving infectious disease threats of military importance. WRAIR, with its unparalleled expertise, facilities, and international network, has developed many vaccines and drugs in use today by military and civilian medicine around the globe. In addition to protecting against infectious disease threats, WRAIR conducts basic and applied research that promotes psychological resilience, enhances neurological functioning, and improves operational readiness among U.S. Service Members. By using a continuum of research from basic science to applied field studies, WRAIR creates innovative solutions to enhance Service Members' resilience and recovery. Research in military psychiatry and neuroscience has been an integral part of WRAIR's portfolio for more than 70 years. WRAIR researchers are recognized leaders in operational medical research for the military in a number of fields, including brain trauma, blast exposure, deployment stressors, and sleep management.