A former associate dean of research at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Adams performs research on infectious diseases of livestock and wildlife, particularly zoonotic diseases, resulting in more than 270 publications. His research ranges from basic molecular pathogenesis, host genetic disease resistance (including pathogen bioinformatics of disease), and the development of diagnostic assays and vaccines. Research findings of the team led by Adams have been actively implemented to improve the scientific basis of the national and international animal health regulatory programs for brucellosis, tuberculosis, and salmonellosis. Adams has been active in leading the development and implementation of biodefense and emerging disease research initiatives. For the National Research Council activities of the National Academies of Sciences, he served on the Committee on the US Department of Defense’s Programs to Counter Biological Threats as well as the Committee on Biodefense at the US Department of Defense. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ committee that wrote the report Revisiting Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Adams is the recipient of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Lifetime Excellence in Research Award, the American Association of Veterinary Medical College’s Senator John Melcher DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award, and the American Veterinary Medical Association Award. He is a scientific reviewer or editor for twenty-one national and international research journals.