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cbp.dhs.gov>; P @cbp.dhs.gov> Subject: Referral Event 3 P. DASZAK C Good afternoon, Please consider the following subject for a TTRT Exam. Peter DASZAK (DOB: is scheduled to travel from DOH to JFK on 02/05/2021, aboard QR #701 ETA 1425 EST- Event has been created for additional information. *** Reference event for notable publications and news articles.*** Background Peter DASZAK (DOB: is the President of EcoHealth Alliance; a US science-based non-profit that conducts research and outreach on the causes of emerging pandemic diseases, and their links to environmental change and conservation (Link). DASZAK's scientific research is focused on understanding the drivers of emerging diseases to include: evidence that emerging disease, chytridiomycosis, causes global amphibian declines; the first ever map of emerging disease 'hotspots'; and the identification of bats as a reservoir for SARS. DASZAK's goals are to understand what drives disease emergence develop innovative ways to stop emerging diseases in wildlife, livestock and people; and promote conservation of wildlife. DASZAK, is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) team that is investigating the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (Link). DASZAK is also affiliated with Zhengli SHI (Bat Woman) - the lead Virologist and Researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Link. SHI's areas of study include: Bats, Viral Ecology, Viral Entry, Virus Discovery, Zoonotic Diseases, Virology, Ecology of Pathogens (Link). EcoHealth Alliance and DASZAK have been working with Shi Zhengli for more than 15 years. UNCLASSIFIED//LES UNCLASSIFIED//LES m k Ty pe Remark DASZAK is listed as the Principal Investigator (PI) on National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grants: 1U01AI151797-01 - Understanding Risk of Zoonotic Viruses Emergence in EID Hotspots of Southeast Asia, and #2R01AI110964-06: Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence, dated 6/01/201406/30/2024. SHI listed grant R01AI110964 on her resume (Link), although SHI is not listed as a PI. A search of the grant revealed 19 publications (Link), many of which were written by SHI. Additional information * DASZAK was asked publicly by NIH to retrieve the original type-specimen used by WIV for genetic analysis, and return it to the United States. He was also asked to explain several aspects of their collaboration, including related to cell phone data. Link * DASZAK and EcoHealth has been awarded a number of contracts and grants from the U.S. federal government. These include contracts with the DHS Chemical and Biological Threat Division. Many items that EcoHealth studies are likely to be subject to serious non-disclosure agreements with the U.S. government and/or be export controlled. * Much of the funding DASZAK receives is put towards gain of function research. This research involves experimentation that aims or is expected to increase the transmissibility and/or virulence of pathogens. The ultimate objective of such research is to better inform public health and preparedness efforts and/or development of medical countermeasures. Link * In 2013, DASZAK was a coauthor of publication "Isolation and characterization of a bat SARS-like coronavirus that uses the ACE2 receptor" with Zhengli SHI and Ralph BARIC. This paper is of significance due to the first reporting of a SL-CoV-WIV1 (SARS-like coronavirus WIV1) binding to human cells and infecting them. Link * A follow up article published in Nature magazine on 12/12/2015 titled "Engineered bat virus stirs debate over risky research, Lab-made coronavirus related to SARS can infect human cells" debates "whether engineering lab variants of viruses with possible pandemic potential is worth the risks." Link NTC Requests * TTRT exam to include review of media (search level determined by POE). * Why was DASZAK chosen to be on the WHO investigative team? * Where in China did DASZAK go? * Where did DASZAK stay while in China? * Who was the POC? * Did the team visit WIV? If so, what areas did they inspect? Who did the team meet with? * Did the team visit the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention? If so, what areas did they inspect? Who did the team meet with? * Did the team meet with any other officials from the Chinese government? * Did DASZAK collect any biological samples during the trip? * Is DASZAK traveling with any biological samples? * Did he mail any samples back to the US? * Did he take any materials with him to China? * Has DASZAK maintained contact with anyone at the WIV? If so, whom and how often would he communicate? What do they communicate about? * What was the purpose of DASZAK's travel from 01/04/2021-01/07/2021? Respectfully, National Targeting Security Specialist National Targeting Center (NTC) UNCLASSIFIED//LES UNCLASSIFIED//LES m k Ty pe Remark Tactical Targeting UNCLASS: HSDN: JWICS: Phone: WARNING: This document is LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE and is designated for OFFICIAL USE ONLY. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5USC552). This document is to be controlled, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information, and is not to be released to the public or personnel who do not have a valid "need-to-know" without prior approval from OFO National Targeting Center - Passenger at 571-468-1000. UNCLASSIFIED//LES UNCLASSIFIED//LES m k