First Response

Concern about her family was one of the factors that led Cindy Harrel Horn to help make UCLA's new infectious disease laboratory a reality.

Lab Work

Cindy Harrell Horn isn't an expert on infectious diseases. She's not an authority on bioterrorism or a homeland security scholar. Yet this mother of two, who identifies first and foremost with being a homemaker, is the driving force behind procuring $25 million in government funding to launch and expand the UCLA High Speed, High Volume Laboratory Network for Infectious Diseases.

Her story begins shortly after 9/11. She and several friends, concerned about the safety of their families, began researching and sharing information about emergency preparedness. They even invited leading experts, including UCLA infectious disease epidemiologist and physician Scott Layne, to speak to them about their work.

A chilling fact soon emerged: Nowhere in the world was there a combined laboratory and informatics resource for tracking disease outbreaks as they happen. "It was hard to believe something as critical as identifying and tracking global emerging infectious diseases wasn't already occurring," Horn says. "My father was a health inspector, so I grew up with health issues often being discussed at the dinner table. When I learned about the lack of a global laboratory infrastructure, I didn't know how I could help make it a reality, but I knew I had to try."

So how does someone with no scientific background embark on a project as complex as creating an infectious disease laboratory? One critical step came in 2004 when Horn met with Linda Rosenstock, dean of the UCLA School of Public Health. The dean was impressed #8212; and a little taken aback — by Horn's enthusiasm. "It's not every day a person I barely know comes into my office and tells me in great detail about a major project the school should be working on," she says.

Horn was not only right, she presented a very compelling case. Within weeks, Rosenstock was seeking funding for the initiative. Several factors helped to garner the support of campus and congressional leaders. There was the growing concern about an avian flu. There were bioterrorism fears unleashed by 9/11.

And there was Horn, wife of Warner Bros. executive Alan Horn and a well-known and well-respected activist. Earnest and focused, she worked closely with Rosenstock to bring her message to the Los Angeles community and to Washington, D.C.

Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Calif.) describes Horn as "a tenacious, committed activist and a dear friend. I'm so impressed by Cindy's ability to grasp the global importance of a project like this — and I'm even more impressed by her determination and willingness to spend whatever time and effort are necessary to make it a reality."

Rosenstock agrees. "Without Cindy's involvement, I can't imagine we could have made this happen," she says.

While Horn has no epidemiological training, pathogens have touched her life in several ways. In 2000 she lost her brother to a form of stomach cancer that she and many experts believe was at least partially caused by a microorganism. In 2003, she was quarantined on an airplane because of concern that two passengers were infected with SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Horn wasn't infected). And in an ironic twist, she recently discovered that she would never have been born were it not for the Spanish flu. (It claimed her grandfather's first wife and children; he later remarried, to Horn's grandmother.)

All of which highlight the power of things microscopic, fueling Horn's activism. To date, with her advocacy, the School of Public Health has procured $16 million in federal funding for the lab — a dazzlingly fast achievement in the grueling world of congressional appropriations. And in 2006, Horn found herself sharing the stage with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as he announced a $9-million grant to expand the lab.

Horn, who serves on the School of Public Health's advisory board, continues to advocate on issues of global concern, including the health effects of climate change. Her efforts recently earned her the Dean's Award from the School of Public Health.

They've also brought her a new appreciation for what it takes to effect change. She says, "I learned that, while it's not easy, a private citizen can make a difference. With a great team, one can achieve wonderful things." — Mike Padilla

Published Jan 1, 2008 8:00 AM