Biological Safety Staff

Brian S. Ranger, MS, SM (NRCM), CBSP, is the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) for the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Institute of Agriculture, and Graduate School of Medicine. Brian moved to Knoxville from southwestern Missouri in 1992 to attend UT. He graduated in 1996 with a degree in Biology. After a short stint with the UT Medical Center-Knoxville clinical laboratory, Brian returned to UT to pursue a graduate degree. He studied microbial pathogenesis in Dr. Robert Moore's lab in the Microbiology Department, primarily focusing on molecular mechanisms of virulence associated with Mannheimia haemolytica and recombinant antibody development. After completing his M.S. in 2000, Brian began working as a laboratory technician for Dr. Pamela Small in the Microbiology Department. During six years of service to Dr. Small, he assisted with research on Mycobacterium ulcerans, an environmental pathogen that causes Buruli ulcer, as well as other closely related Mycobacterium species. In 2006, he moved to the Biosafety Office, serving as the Assistant BSO for several months. Brian accepted the BSO position in January, 2008.

Sarah DiFurio, MS, serves as a Biological Safety Specialist. A native of South Carolina, Sarah holds an undergraduate degree in Plant Pathology from Clemson University in South Carolina. In 2004, she received her Master’s degree in Genetics also from Clemson University. Sarah began her career at the University of Tennessee in 2005 at the Center for Environmental Biotechnology as a Research Associate in Dr. Susan Pfiffner’s lab. Sarah joined the Biosafety office in March 2008.

Amy Knowles, RN, MPH, CIC, COHN-S serves as the Occupational Health Nurse for the animal care program at the University of Tennessee. After receiving her BSN from Carson Newman College, Amy spent the beginning of her nursing career in public health; with emphasis in occupational health, immunizations, infection control, bioterrorism, and epidemiology. She returned to academics and received her MPH from UT Knoxville. Additionally, Amy worked as an occupational health nurse for emergency medical services. Also during this time, she obtained a certification in infection control. In 2004, Amy came to UT after accepting the occupational health nurse position, and acquired an occupational health certification. As a part of her work as the Occupational Health Nurse at UT, she oversees the occupational health program for individuals who work with animals on campus, and assists with the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard regulations with Biosafety Department. Currently, Amy is a PhD candidate in Nursing, with a Homeland Security concentration.

Lora Hartley, MS, Administrative Support Assistant II, provides services for the offices of Biosafety and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the University of Tennessee. A 2004 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a B.A. in Art History, Lora has returned to Tennessee following the completion of her M.A. in Art History from the University of California, Davis to continue language training nearer her family in preparation for entering a Ph.D. program. Though Lora is new to these UT departments she has a background in corporate graphics, experience in higher education environments, and is enjoying the opportunity to expand her career.