Biosafety Honor Awards

Arnold G. Wedum Distinguished Achievement Award

In recognition of outstanding work that provided greater knowledge in the field of biosafety, the Arnold G. Wedum Distinguished Achievement Award was established in 1976.

The Arnold G. Wedum Distinguished Achievement Award is given to a current ABSA member for outstanding contributions to biological safety accomplished through teaching, research, service, or leadership.

2023 Recipient: Barbara Johnson, PhD, RBP(ABSA)

Since 2000, Dr. Johnson has served as Co-Editor-In-Chief of the ABSA International peer-reviewed journal Applied Biosafety. She has made countless contributions to the journal over this time period and has helped to bolster the journal recently by indexing and receiving its first journal impact factor. Barbara has made a remarkable amount of teaching contributions over the years directly related to biosafety and biosecurity for both ABSA International and the global biosafety community. She served as ABSA President in 2003 and has served ABSA, its affiliates, and the overall profession of biosafety and biosecurity throughout her career.

Past Recipients

2023 – Barbara Johnson, PhD, RBP(ABSA)
2022 – Joe Kanabrocki, PhD, CBSP
2021 – Eitan Israeli, PhD, Israeli Biohazard, Ltd
2020 – Robert Ellis, PhD, CBSP, Colorado State University
2019 – Kathryn Harris, PhD, RBP, Office of Science Policy (OSP) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
2018 – Joseph Kozlovac, RBP, CBSP, USDA Agricultural Research Service
2017 – Rich Rebar, RBP, CBSP, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
2016 – Paul Meechan, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2015 – Ben Fontes, RBP, Yale University, New Haven, CT
2014 – Robert Hashimoto, MS, RBP CBSP, SM(NRCM), University of California, Berkeley, CA
2013 – Janet Peterson, RBP, CBSP, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2012 – Debra Hunt, DrPH, RBP, CBSP, Duke University, Durham, NC
2011 – Robert J. Hawley, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Consultant, Frederick, MD
2010 – John Keene, DrPH, RBP, CBSP, Global Biohazard Technologies, Inc., Midlothian, VA
2008 – Deborah E. Wilson, DrPH, CBSP, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
2007 – Joseph R. Songer, Ames, IA
2006 – Maureen Ellis, RBP, The Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Ottawa, ON Canada
2005 – David Stuart, PhD, The Baker Company, Sanford, ME
2004 – W. Emmett Barkley, PhD, Bethesda, MD
2003 – Manuel S. Barbeito, CBSP, Frederick, MD
2002 – Donald Vesley, PhD, RBP, Columbus Heights, MD
2001 – Diane O. Fleming, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Bowie, MD
2000 – Jerry J. Tulis, PhD, Raleigh, NC
1999 – Jonathan Y. Richmond, PhD, RBP, Jonathan Richmond & Associates, Southport, NC
1998 – Byron S. Tepper, PhD, CBSP, BioControl, Inc., Lutherville, MD
1997 – Melvin W. First, ScD, Harvard University, Boston, MA
1995 – Richard H. Kruse

Arnold G. Wedum

Arnold G. Wedum is revered as the person most responsible for creating the biosafety profession. He was a caring and wonderful mentor for many of the early leaders of ABSA. His traits of determination and persistence served biosafety well. He was one of the first to publish papers on how infectious aerosols were created in the lab and how to control those aerosols. He was a brilliant man whose knowledge of biological safety was sought by the leaders of the United State’s biological research community. The NIH Advisory Committee valued his council regarding safety practices appropriate to recombinant DNA research.

Dr. Wedum’s intellect, his deliberate and careful style in assessing hazards, and his vast experience remain instructive to all of us today. He brought to light the fundamental concepts of our profession. His lifelong efforts promoted occupational health and safety in infectious disease research and gave our profession credibility and a valid scientific relevance.

Everett Hanel, Jr. Presidential Award

The Everett Hanel, Jr. Presidential Award is given to a current ABSA member for outstanding contributions to ABSA International by promoting the field of biological safety and fostering, by example, the high professional standards of the Association’s membership.

2023 Recipient: Marian Downing, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Marian has been a strong advocate for the biosafety profession in both her involvement with ABSA International and within her career as a biosafety professional. She served on ABSA Council and then went on to serve as president during very challenging times as biosafety became the center of public focus for laboratory safety. After completing her CBSP, she identified the need for ABSA to provide an introduction course into what the CBSP would entail. The creation of that course is the basis for the current on-demand Advanced Biosafety Training Series. Marian was an integral part of the creation of the ABSA Ambassadors program. The ambassador role is to reach out to communities through presentations in schools, universities, county and state public health departments. She is currently a Co-lead of the Public Health Outreach Shared Interest Group whose focus is to increase ABSA International’s efforts in the development of biosafety and biosecurity programs in Public Health and clinical laboratories. Without a doubt Marian has upheld the standards of our profession in every aspect of her career in biosafety. Her involvement has reflected the commitment and professional acumen reinforces her dedication to the professional integrity of biosafety.

 

Past Recipients

2023 – Marian Downing, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)
2022 – Esmeralda Meyer, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)
2021 – Heather Blair, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)
2020 – Barbara Owen, MPH, RBP, CBSP, Merck & Co., Inc
2019 – Duane, Elizabeth Gilman, RBP, CBSP, Amgen, Cambridge, MA
2018 – Jessica McCormick-Ell, Ph.D., CBSP, RBP, NRCM (SM), Rutgers University, Department of Health and Safety
2017 – Dee Zimmerman
2016 – Brian Petuch, RBP, CBSP, Merck & Co. Inc
2015 – Robert Ellis, PhD, CBSP, RBP, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2014 – Dr. Raymond Hackney, DrPH, CBSP, Duke University, Durham, NC
2013 – Thomas P. Boyle, RBP, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ
2012 – Murray Cohen, PhD, CIH, Frontline Foundation, Atlanta, GA
2011 – Barbara Johnson, PhD, RBP, Biosafety Biosecurity International, Herndon, VA
2010 – Joe Kanabrocki, PhD, CBSP, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2009 – Joseph Kozlovac, RBP, CBSP, USDA ARS, Beltsville, MD
2008 – Robert J. Hashimoto, CBSP, University of California, Berkeley, CA
2007 – Daniel F. Liberman, PhD, Novartis, Cambridge, MA
2006 – Richard Rebar, RBP, CBSP, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA
2005 – Dr. Robert J. Hawley, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Midwest Research Institute, Frederick, MD
2003 – LouAnn Burnett, CBSP, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
2002 – Joseph Van Houten, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters, New Brunswick, NJ
2001 – Karen Brandt Byers, RBP, CBSP, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
2000 – Stefan Wagener, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB Canada
1999 – Gerard J. Spahn, PhD, CBSP, Carlsbad, Ca
1998 – Mary L. Cipriano, RBP, CBSP, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL
1997 – Mary Ann Sondrini, The Eagleson Institute, Sanford, ME
1996 – A. Lynn Harding, MPH, CBSP, Chattanooga, TN
1995 – Jonathan Y. Richmond, PhD, RBP, Jonathan Richmond & Associates, Southport, NC
1994 – Diane O. Fleming, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Bowie, MD
1993 – Jerry J. Tulis, PhD, Raleigh NC
1992 – Max D. Peters
1991 – John M. Eagleson, Jr.
1990 – Donald Vesley, Columbia Heights, MD
1989 – Manuel S. Barbeito, CBSP, Frederick, MD
1988 – Jerome P. Schmidt, PhD, CBSP, San Antonio, TX
1987 – W. Emmett Barkley, PhD, Bethesda, MD
1986 – Joseph R. Songer, Ames, IA
1985 – Everett Hanel, Jr., National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD

Everett Hanel, Jr.

Everett Hanel, Jr. was a member of Dr. Wedum’s safety group at Fort Detrick from 1943-1972. Following his tenure there, he became the Director of the Health & Safety group at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, MD. His efforts were central in the development and perpetuation of the Biological Safety Conference and the organization we know as ABSA. In 1983 Everett was chosen to be the first President of ABSA International. In recognition of his significant contribution to this organization throughout his lifetime career in biosafety, the Everett Hanel, Jr. Presidential Award was established in 1993.

John H. Richardson Special Recognition Award

The John H. Richardson Special Recognition Award was developed for, and shall be given to an individual, to recognize them for a specific contribution that has enhanced ABSA International and/or the profession of biosafety. The recipient must be a member of ABSA International.

2023 Recipient: Theodore Traum, PE

Theodore (Ted) Traum has demonstrated the importance of how biosafety and engineering must work together to ensure that high and maximum containment laboratories operate safely throughout the world. His biggest contribution to the profession of biosafety is sharing this knowledge. Ted has helped make it possible for research institutions and public health facilities throughout the world to comply with biosafety guidelines. His ability to teach personnel about engineering principles and how they impact their biocontainment laboratories has led to other regions being able to rely on their own local biosafety engineering experts, having the ability to commission, certify and verify their own high and maximum containment laboratories. Through Ted’s mentorship and training, professionals in countries outside of the United States, have a greater understanding of engineering principles and biosafety.

 

Past Recipients

2023 – Theodore Traum, PE
2022 – Deborah Wilson, DrPH, CBSP(ABSA)(Ret)
2021 – Chris Jenkins, PhD, MPH, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)
2019 – Robert Hawley, RBP, CBSP (Ret)
2018 – Eric N. Cook, CBSP
2017 – Maryjo Lanzillotta, RBP, CBSP
2016 – Robert J. Emery, DrPH, RBP, CBSP
2015 – Sean Kaufman, MPH, Behavior-Based Improvement Solutions, Woodstock, GA
2011 – James M. Welch, Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation, Kingsport, TN
2009 – William C. Griffin, MD
2006 – A. Lynn Harding, MPH, CBSP, Chattanooga, TN
2005 – Patrick Condreay, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC
2004 – Jerome P. Schmidt, PhD, CBSP, San Antonio, TX
2003 – Phil Hagan, MPH, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
2002 – Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP, Yale University, New Haven, CT
2001 – Richard Fink, CBSP, Wyeth, Andover, MA
2000 – Elizabeth A. Gilman, RBP, CBSP, Wyeth, Cambridge, MA

John H. Richardson

John H. Richardson was an early mentor and teacher of biological safety. He has been a prolific author of many biosafety articles as well a contributing author to many of our recognized guides to biosafety. Some of his contributory works are: coauthoring the 2nd edition of the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL); contributing author to: Biosafety in the Laboratory: Prudent Practices for the Handling and Disposal of Infectious Materials (1989); contributing author to: Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research: Biology and Management (1995); as well as contributing author: Laboratory Safety: Principles and Practices, 2nd edition.

Diane Fleming Leadership Award

The Diane Fleming Award is given to a current ASBA member who exemplifies leadership within ABSA International and/or the biosafety and biosecurity profession. Leadership through mentoring new and established BSPs, service, collaboration with other professional organizations, publication, or teaching.

2023 Recipient: Angela Birnbaum, MPH, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) (posthumous)

Angie was always eager to help anyone who reached out. She was slated to participate in the upcoming session of the NEcTRAC, and she has always been eager to accept new biosafety leadership roles and responsibilities. Angie received her master’s degree of Public Health in 2011 and served as Executive Director of Biosafety, Biocontainment Operations, and Quality Assurance for Tulane University and Director of Biocontainment for the Tulane National Primate Research Center. Angie also volunteered her time and knowledge to the Departments of State and Defense for training colleagues from the Middle East and North Africa spreading best practices for biological safety worldwide. Angela spearheaded many biosafety objectives that benefited biosafety groups in the U.S. and abroad. She served as the NBL/RBL network biosafety lead, where she was actively meeting with members of the Biden Administration, as well as other regulators, to improve the current system for shipping Select Agents. She previously served on the board of the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research, served as both Vice President and President of the Southern Biosafety Association and served as Councilor for ABSA International.

Past Recipients

2023 – Angela Birnbaum, MPH, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)
2022 – Marian Downing, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Diane Fleming

Diane Fleming served as ABSA President, served on the Ethics, Nominating, and Technical Review Committees. Her position in Biosafety at Frederick Cancer Research Facility(FCRC) in Ft. Detrick, MD provided the opportunity to mentor many who were interested in the field of biological safety. At FCRC she was able to hire three young women who went on to make their careers in biosafety.

Diane served on the committee which drew up the questions for the first ASM test for biosafety professional certification (CBSP Exam) and was an integral part of the creation of the ABSA Certification Committee (currently the Credentialing Maintenance Board). Diane demonstrated leadership through editing and recruiting authors for the Biological Safety: Principles and Practices and was instrumental in using her ASM ties to collaborate with ABSA members to advance risk assessment.

Dr. Fleming taught anatomy, biology. genetics, microbiology, medical microbiology and Laboratory Safety and Health while serving as an Instructor, Staff Tutor or Assistant Professor on the faculty of Memphis State University, Central Texas College Europe, The Open University (England), University of Maryland Europe, Sinclair Community College, OH, Wright State University School of Medicine, and The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and School of Hygiene and Public Health. She also taught various aspects of biological safety in pre-conference workshops and given platform presentations for ABSA and ASM.

Annual Recognition Awards

The Hashimoto Service Award

The Hashimoto Recognition Award recognizes outstanding service to an ABSA committee or Task Force.

2023 Recipients:
Matt Anderson, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Scientific Program Committee
Sylvie Blondelle, PhD, RBP(ABSA) – Credentialing Maintenance Board
Jenna McKenzie, PhD, RBP(ABSA) – Local Arrangements Committee
Anthony Sambol, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – BSAT CA Committee
Endah Sulistijo, PhD, RBP(ABSA) – Advanced Biosafety Training Series Working Group
Robin Tobias, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – PR Marketing Committee

Past Recipients

 

2023
Matt Anderson, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Scientific Program Committee
Sylvie Blondelle, PhD, RBP(ABSA) – Credentialing Maintenance Board
Jenna McKenzie, PhD, RBP(ABSA) – Local Arrangements Committee
Anthony Sambol, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – BSAT CA Committee
Endah Sulistijo, PhD, RBP(ABSA) – Advanced Biosafety Training Series Working Group
Robin Tobias, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – PR Marketing Committee

2022
Cathie Mancini – Distance Learning Committee
Liz Reay, RBP(ABSA) – Distance Learning Committee
Kathleen Kennedy – Distance Learning Committee
David White, RBP(ABSA) – Emerging Infectious Disease Committee
Geoff Phillips, RBP(ABSA) – Preconference Course Committee
Ray Scheetz, RBP(ABSA) – Preconference Course Committee
Jeff Adamovicz, RBP(ABSA) – Credentialing Maintenance Board
Hallie Hoskins, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Maintenance Board

2021
John Balog, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Evaluation Board
Colleen Driskill, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Evaluation Board
Kelly Flint, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Scientific Program Committee
Brandon Hatcher, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Evaluation Board
John Henneman, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Evaluation Board
Thomas Leonard, CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Maintenance Board
Eric Lewis, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Distance Learning Committee
Esmeralda Meyer, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Emerging Infectious Disease Committee
Krista Murray, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Maintenance Board
Francis Novembre, RBS(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) – Scientific Program Committee
David Pawlowski, CBSP(ABSA) – Technical & Regulatory Review Committee
Donald Wang, CBSP(ABSA) – Credentialing Evaluation Board

2020
Eric Lewis, PhD, RBP, Merck & Co., Inc.

2019
Don Wang, RBP, CBSP, Credentialing Evaluation Board
David Pawlowski, PhD, RBP, Tecnical & Regulatory Review Committee

2018
John Balog—Historical Committee
Bill Homovec—Technical & Regulatory Review

2017
Partha Krishnan, Publications Committee
Martha Schneerman, Credentialing Maintenance Board
Tim Sturgis, E-communications Committee
Darlene Ward, Scientific Program Committee

2016
Shelly Jones, RBP
Rhonda O’Keefe, CBSP
Susan Cook, CBSP
Jeff Owens, MPH, CBSP
Yolanda Stringer, MS, RBP, CBSP
J. Paul Jennette, RBP, CBSP
Rebecca Caruso, MPH, RBP, CBSP
David Gillum, RBP

2015
Alexis Brubaker, CBSP
Cynthia Schwartz, PhD, RBP
Deb Sharpe, MPH, RBP
John Tonkiss, CBSP
Kim Heard, CBSP
Barb Owen, RBP, CBSP
Kalpana Renajaran, PhD, MPH, RBP
Susan Weekly, RBP
Noman Siddiqi, RBP
Jacqueline Wagner
Deborah Newby, PhD, CBSP

Robert Hashimoto, MS, RBP CBSP, SM (NRCM)

The award was created in honor of Robert Hashimoto, MS, RBP CBSP, SM (NRCM). Bob had a long history of service and leadership within ABSA International as well as during his 26 year career as a Biosafety Officer. He was a mentor to countless biosafety professionals and a friend to even more.

Eagleson Lecture Series Award

2023 Recipient: Lisa Hensley, PhD
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 

Evolving Responses to Emerging Disease Threats

Past Recipients

2022 Recipient: Richard Marconi, PhD
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA
Title: The Growing Threat of Lyme Disease: Where Do We Stand?

2021 Recipient: Nadine Rouphael, MD
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Title: Update on COVID-19 Vaccines

2020 Recipient: Lark L. Coffee, PhD
University of California – Davis
Title: Zika Virus Five Years Later

2019 Zachary Adelman, PhD
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Title: The Challenge of Arthropod Biocontainment in the Non-model Organism World: Mosquitoes, Gene Drive, and Beyond

2018 Paul Turner, PhD
Yale University, New Haven, CT
Title: Using Viruses to Select for Reduced Virulence of Bacterial Pathogens in Human Patients

2017 Hazel Barton, PhD
University of Akron, Akron, OH
Title: Dark Life: The Microbiology of Extreme Cave Environments

2016 Nikolaos Vasilakis, PhD
University of Texas Medical Branch—Galveston, Galveston, TX
Title: Zika Virus—A Reemerged Arbovirus

2015 Dan H. Barouch, MD, PhD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Title: Novel HIV Vaccination and Eradication Strategies

2014 Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Title: Challenges Facing Public Health Over the Next Decade

2013 Marc Lipsitch, MD, PhD
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Title: Biosafety and Bioethics: Special Challenges of Gain-of-Function Experiments and Potential Pandemic Pathogens

2012 David Schaffer, PhD
University of California- Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Title: Directed Evolution of Designer Viral Vectors for Therapeutic Gene Delivery

2011 Jennifer Goodrich, PhD
Department of Homeland Security, Ft. Detrick, MD
Title: Challenges Integrating Bioforensics and Biosafety

2010 June Medford, PhD
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
Title: The Promises and Challenges of Synthetic Biology

2009 Robert B. Tesh
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Title: Laboratory Surveillance of West Nile Virus Activity in the Houston Metropolitan Area

2008 Alan Barrett
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Title: Biocontainment: The Continual Need for Interactions Both Inside and Outside the Institution

2007 Jeffrey Leid, PhD
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Title: Bugs, Biofilms and Biosafety

2006 Ralph Timperi, MPH
Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD
Title: Global Biosafety

2005 No Award Presented

2004 Paul W. Brown, MD
Consultant
Title: Wrapping Up the Mad Cow Story

2003 R. Mark L. Buller, PhD
Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Title: IL-4 Enhancement of Poxvirus Lethality, Implications for Smallpox

2002 Ron Atlas, PhD
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, President ASM
Title: Current Issues Dealing with Recombinant DNA

2001 Randall Murch, PhD
Federal Bureau of Investigation Forensics Division
Title: Biosafety in Forensic Investigation

2000 Anthony Fauci, MD, NIAID
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Title: AIDS: Considerations for the 21st Century

1999 Ronald Crystal, MD
Cornel University Medical College, New York Weill Cornell Center, New York, NY
Title: A Decade of Gene Therapy

1998 JoAnn Burkholder, PhD
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Title: Pfiesteria Piscicida

1997 Stanley B. Prusiner, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Title: Mad Cows, Demented People and Biocontainment

1996 Patti A. Wetzel, MD
AIDs Educator
Title: Occupational Exposure for Healthcare Workers: A Personal Perspective

1995 Richard Preston
Author
Title: The Hot Zone

1994 Mary Gilchrist, PhD
Abbott Laboratories
Title: Laboratory Safety Beyond Bloodborne Pathogens TX or TB

1993 Gary Simpson, MD, PhD
New Mexico State Health Department, Santa Fe, NM
Title: Hantavirus 101

1992 Alan Hinman, MD
Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA
Title: Tuberculosis-Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

John M. Eagleson, Jr.

The Eagleson Lecture is in memory of John M. Eagleson, Jr. The keynote speaker for the Biological Safety Conference shall be the speaker that is sponsored by the Eagleson Institute. The Eagleson Lecture Series Award recipient is selected in recognition of accomplishments that contribute to the awareness of biological hazards. The topic of the lecture shall be consistent with the mission of the Eagleson Institute, which is to promote the principles and practices of laboratory safety. The subject of the lecture shall be timely with an emphasis on emerging issues rather than the presentation of historical information. The Scientific Program Committee (SPC) shall recommend nominees to the Eagleson Institute for selection.

E. R. Griffin Lecture Series Award

The E. R. Griffin Lecture Series Award recipient is selected in recognition of accomplishments that contribute to the awareness of biological and occupational safety. The topic of the lecture shall be consistent with the mission of the Foundation, which is to promote the safe research practices and help fund further research in the areas of zoonotic diseases.

2023 Recipient: Halima Benbouza, PhD, National Council of Scientific Research and Technologies, Algiers, Algeria

Addressing Biosafety and Biosecurity Issues at Research and Diagnostic Laboratories: Building Local Capacity—A Big Challenge

Past Recipients

2023 Halima Benbouza, PhD
National Council of Scientific Research and Technologies, Algiers, Algeria
Title of Lecture: Addressing Biosafety and Biosecurity Issues at Research and Diagnostic Laboratories: Building Local Capacity—A Big Challenge

2022 Recipient: Sacha Wallace-Sankarsingh, MSc, MPH
Caribbean public Health Agency, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Title of Lecture: Advancing Biosafety – Understanding the Local Context for Sustainability

2021 Recipient: Gigi Kwik Gronvall, PhD
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Title of Lecture: Biosafety, COVID-19, and What Comes Next

2020 Recipient: Nesreen Alhmoud, PhD
The Royal Scientific Society
Title of Lecture: Impact of Capacity Building Activities in MENA Region

2019 David Franz, DVM, PhD
Former Commander, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gettysburg, PA
Title of Lecture: Laboratory Biosafety: The Leader’s Role

2018 Julie Fischer, PhD
Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
Title of Lecture: All Appropriate Measures: Biosafety and Biosecurity in an Era of Global Health Threats

2017 Uwe Mueller-Doblies, PhD
Merck Sharpe & Dohme Limited, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Title of Lecture: A Journey of Biological Risks Between Compliance and Risk Optimization

2016 Jaime Yassif, PhD
Open Philanthropy Project, San Francisco, CA
Title of Lecture: The Open Philanthropy Project-Biosecurity and Pandemic Preparedness Initiative

2015 Ian Crozier, MD
Infectious Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
Title of Lecture: A Survivor’s Story: Dual Citizenship at the Ebola Bedside

2014 Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, PhD, JD, LLM, MPA
United States Department of State, Washington, DC
Title of Lecture: The Global Health Security Agenda: Prevention, Detection, and Response to Infectious Disease Threats

2013 Kavita M. Berger, PhD
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC
Title of Lecture: The World is Small: Addressing Biological Risks as a Global Science Community

2012 Ann Tourigny Turner, PhD, CAE
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, Memphis TN
Title of Lecture: Power of Associations

2011 Indrawati Sendow, DVM
Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Science, Bogor, Wet Java, Indonesia
Title of Lecture: The Development of Biosafety and Biosecurity in Indonesia

2010 Maureen Ellis, RBP
Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Title of Lecture: The Year of Building International Biosafety Communities

2009 Gary Fujimoto, MD
Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, CA
Title of Lecture: New Metrics in Medical Monitoring

2008 Nicole Duffee, DVM, PhD
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, Atlanta, GA
Title of Lecture: Animal Biosafety: Developing the Technician Workforce—AALAS Activities in Support of this Effort

2007 James R. Swearengen, DVM
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, Frederick, MD
Title of Lecture: Biowarfare and Biodefense: Past, Present, and Future

2006 Kevin Anderson, PhD
Department of Homeland Security, National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD
Title of Lecture: The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center: Building an Enduring Capability for Homeland Security

2005 Benjamin J. Weigler, PhD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
Title of Lecture: A National Survey of Occupationally Acquired Zoonotic Diseases in Laboratory Animal Workers

2004 Julia Hilliard
National B Virus Resource Center, Atlanta, GA

The Elizabeth R. Griffin Program at Georgetown University

In 2018, the Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation selected Georgetown University to advance its research and education missions, launching a new era as the Elizabeth R. Griffin Program (ERG). ERG at Georgetown builds on the 20-year legacy of the Foundation’s work and the Georgetown University Medical Center’s mission of excellence in research, education, and the improvement of human health and well-being.

Beth Griffin

The ERG Program works to enhance and sustain leadership in the expanding field of global health science and security. Through collaborative research, training, and education, ERG at Georgetown promotes evidence-based biosafety and biosecurity practices to protect the health and safety of researchers as well as the workers on the front lines of disease detection around the world.

Robert I. Gross Student Award

2018 Robert I. Gross Student Award recipient Laurie Wallis, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM

This is awarded to a student in recognition of academic achievement in biological safety. The award provides a grant to a student to register, attend, and present a technical paper or poster at the annual conference. The student must be in a degree granting program at the baccalaureate or graduate level in an academic discipline or field that is relevant to biosafety. Membership in ABSA is not required. The Scientific Program Committee selects the grant recipient from among the student applicants who submit abstracts.

2018 Recipient: Laurie Wallis, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM

Outbreak Detection and Response: Country Prioritization Model for West Africa

Past Recipients

2018 Laurie Wallis
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
Outbreak Detection and Response: Country Prioritization Model for West Africa

2016 Vincent Manna, BS
Rowan University, Stratford, NJ
Inactivation of Bacterial Pathogens Using a UVC Emitting Device for Whole Room Sanitization

2015 Shannon E. Ronca, BS
University of Texas Medical Branch—Galveston
Developing a Neurological Assessment Protocol Safe for Implementation in High- and Maximum-containment Facilities

2010 James D. Johnston
University of Utah
Hand Hygiene in the Biosafety Level 2 Lab: Is It a Matter of Training?

2009 Joanie Kenney
University of Texas Medical Branch
Evaluation of Transmission Potential of Two Chimeric Western Equine Encephalitis Vaccine Candidates in Culex Tarsalis

2008 Jodi Beaudry
Northern Arizona University
Rapid and Definitive Identification of B. anthracis Biocontaminants Using Expedited DNA Extraction Protocol and Sensitive Real-Time SNP Analysis

2006 Rebecca E. Colman
Northern Arizona University
DNA Fingerprinting of Yersinia pestis for Forensic and Public Health Investigations: Methods for Identifying Plague Infection Sources

2005 Cassandra Kelly
New York State Department of Health
Effects of Bacillus Spore Decontamination Methods on Forensic Evidence: An Evaluation of Decontamination Methods, Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide, Formaldehyde, and Autoclaving

2004 J. R. Hermann
Iowa State University
Aerosol Collection Media: Effect of Antifoams on Cell Viability and Virus Infectivity

2003 Kellie L. Perry
University of Maryland
Molecular Characterization of Tetracyline Resistant Bacteria from a Concentrated Hog Feeding Operation

2002 T. Scott Alderman
Duke University
Assessment of Bioaerosol Reduction Methods in Stem Cell Transplant Units at a University Hospital

2000 Robin Lynn Mecklem
University of Michigan
Defining and Managing Biohazardous Waste in Research- Based Universities in the U.S.: A Survey of Environmental Health and Safety Professionals

1999 Gwanpyo Ko
Harvard University
Influence of Relative Humidity on Particle Size and UV Sensitivity of Serratia Marcescens and BCGT Aerosols

1997 Mary Louise Graham
University of Ottawa
An Ex-Vivo Protocol for Testing Adenovirus 4 Inactivation of Human Skin

1996 Marc T. Latta
Duke University
Reported Versus Observed Risks of Exposure in the Operating Room

1995 Candace Pilon
University of Minnesota
Viability of Mycobacteria after Aerosol Collection in Respirator Filters and Surgical Masks

1994 Nicole McCullough
University of Minnesota
Respirator and Surgical Mask Filter Efficiencies Using Three Airborne Bacteria

1993 Michael Blayney
Dartmouth College
The Application of Multiple Regression analysis in Modeling Participant Responses to a Training Program in Biomedical Laboratory Safety

1992 Maureen Best
University of Ottawa
Development of a Combined Efficacy Test Method for Disinfectants

Robert I. Gross

The Robert I. Gross Memorial Fund was established in 1991 with the receipt of a gift from Marsha Gross in memory of Robert I. Gross.

Richard C. Knudsen Publication Award

The Richard C. Knudsen Publication Award shall be given, when merited, to the author(s) of an article that reports a significant contribution in scientific investigation and/or health and safety, whether the authors are members or not of the Association. The article shall have been published in Applied Biosafety the year preceding the award. The nomination for this award is made by a committee formed by two members of the Publications Committee as well as two members of the Awards Committee.

2023: Hermann Schildorfer, PhD, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Mödling, Lower Austria, Austria

Autoclaving as a Routine Method for the Decontamination of Animal Carcasses in a Biosafety Level 3 Facility

Past Recipients

2023: Hermann Schildorfer, PhD, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Mödling, Lower Austria, Austria
Title: Autoclaving as a Routine Method for the Decontamination of Animal Carcasses in a Biosafety Level 3 Facility 

2022: Jay Krishnan, CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Title: Efficacy Testing of Personal Protective Filters on Biosafety Level 4 Positive Pressure Suits

2021: Jan Schinköthe, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
Title: Technical and Anatomical Considerations for Reproducible Inactivation of Large Animal Carcasses by Steam Sterilization

2020: Cary Retterer, MS, MBA, NextCure, Beltsville, MD
Title: Strategies for Validation of Inactivation of Viruses with Trizol ® LS and Formalin Solutions

2019: Samantha Kasloff, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada
Title: Evaluation of Positive Pressure Suits for Use in the BSL-4 Laboratory

2018: Cecile J. B. van der Vlugt, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
Title: A Framework for the Risk Assessment and Management of Gene Drive Technology in Contained Use
Applied Biosafety, Number 23, Volume 1

2017: Pawlowski, David, RBP, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Title: Shedding Risk With Intracerebral Inoculation of Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus: Informing A Risk Assessment

2016: Matthew Philpott, PhD, RBP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Charlie Fautin, RN, Benton County Health Department, Corvallis, OR
Karyn Bird, DVM, PhD, Kathy O’Reilly, PhD, College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR
Title: A Laboratory-associated Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis published in Applied Biosafety, Number 20, Volume 3

2015: Ryan Bayha; Kathryn L. Harris, PhD, RBP; Allan C. Shipp; Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay; Carrie D. Wolinetz NIH Program on Biosecurity and Biosafety Policy, Bethesda, MD
Title: The NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities Site Visit Program: Observations About Institutional Oversight of Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research

2014: Richard T. Robinson, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Diane J. Rodi, PhD, RBP, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL
Shane Patzlsberger, Medical College of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Halli E. Miller, MS, Medical College of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Title: Characterization of Perpirable Aerosols Generated During Routine Laboratory procedures

2013: Claudia Bagutti, PhD, Matthias Mueller, PhD, Peter Brodmann, PhD, State Laboratory Basel-City, Basel, Switzerland
Martin Schmidlin, PhD, Safety Inspectorate, Liestal, Switzerland
Title: Washout Kinetics of Viral Vectors from Cultured Mammalian Cells

2012: Leslie C. Homer, MS, RBP, CBSP, Dennis T. Helfin, Kelly Stefano Cole, University of Pittsburg, Pittsburgh, PA
C. R. Manning, Assay Technology, Inc., Livermore, CA
Title: Engineering and Work practice Controls for the Use of Anesthetic Gases during BSL-3 Rabbit Studies

2011: Charles P. Fontaine, Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc., Athens, OH
Timothy J. Ryan, Peter W. Coschigano, and Robert A. Colvin, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Title: Novel Testing of a Biological Safety Cabinet Using PCR

2009: Michael D. Chute, BS, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD

2008: John Howard and Vladimir Murashov, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC

2007: Mark A. Czarneski, ClorDiSys, Inc., Lebanon, NJ

2006: Jay Krishnan, Jody Berry, Greg Fey, and Stefan Wagener, PhD, RBP, CBSP, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

2005: Janet E. Meszaros, MS, Steris Corporation, Mentor, OH

2004: R. Mark Buller, PhD, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO

2003: Benjamin H. Hoffman, Waste Management, Inc., Houston, TX

Richard C. Knudsen

Richard C. Knudsen did his post-doctoral studies through the National Institute of Health and the National Research Council. He became an immunologist at the Naval Medical Research facility in Bethesda, Md. In 1976, he studied swine flu virus for the USDA. Ten years later, he moved to the Plum Island Animal Disease Center and later became chief of laboratory safety at the Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Knudsen was a prolific writer and had articles published in the Journal of Bacteriology; Journal of Virological Methods; Journal of Experimental Medicine; Journal of General Virology; Journal of Immunology; Journal of Immunological Methods; and Applied Microbiology to name but a few. He assisted with the preparation of the Interim Biosafety Guidelines for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. He also finalized a plan that reflected the views of the U.S. Department of Transportation and CDC. This document proposed that U.S. diagnostic specimen shipments should be regulated and that diagnostic specimen shipments using air transportation should be required to meet the standards of IATA Packing Instruction 650.

Arnold G. Wedum Memorial Lecture Award

Established in 1976 to honor the memory of the man who is considered the “Father of Biosafety,” this award is given to an outstanding scientist or biological safety professional whose work has contributed to a better understanding of the occupational or environmental risks associated with infectious agents or biologically-derived materials, or whose contribution has led to the development of improved control methods in minimizing those risks.

The recipient is not required to be a member of ABSA. Candidates for the award will be chosen by the Scientific Program Committee and recommended to the Council for approval.

2023: Christina L. Hutson, PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Mpox Outbreak: Preparedness Efforts, Laboratory Response and Ongoing Efforts

Past Awards

2023: Christina L. Hutson, PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Mpox Outbreak: Preparedness Efforts, Laboratory Response and Ongoing Efforts

2022: Sonia Vallabh, PhD, and Eric Minikel, PhD, Broad institute, Cambridge, MA
Prion Disease: Risk Management Strategies to Enable Our Quest for a Cure

2021: Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, CIDRAP, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
The COVID Pandemic: The Evolving Reality

2019 Michael Pentella, PhD, D(ABMM), University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
Biosafety in Clinical Laboratories

2017 Ali Khan, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
The Next Pandemic: On the Front Lines Against Humankind’s Gravest Dangers

2016 Tony Schountz, PhD, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Biosafety from the Field to the Lab

2015 Nancy Connell, PhD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Developing a Culture of Awareness; Biological Arms Control, Dual Use Research, and Responsible Conduct of Science

2014 Mark Kay, MD, PhD
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Nucleic Acid Based Therapeutics

2013 Michael Emerman, PhD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
Paleovirology: How Ancient Events Shape Modern Virus Pandemics in Humans

2012 Mark R. Denison, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
SARS Ten Years Later: Lessons for Science and Safety

2011 Paul S. Keim, PhD
Northern Arizona University
Genomics and a New Age in Global Disease Tracking

2010 David Relman, MD
Stanford University
What, Me Worry? Biosecurity in a Time of Biological Revolution

2009 Guangping Gao, PhD
University of Massachusetts
AAV Biology and Biosafety

2008 TeckMean Chua
Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association
Integration of a Global Biosafety Community—Overcoming Biosafety Challenges in the Asia Pacific Region

2007 Nicoletta Previsani and W. Emmett Barkley, PhD
World Health Organization
Biosafety, Past and Present

2006 John Howard
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Nanotechnology and Risk: The NIOSH Perspective

2005 Dennis Kasper
Harvard Medical School
A Glimpse into the Molecular Basis for Symbiosis Between the Intestinal Microflor and the Mammalian Immune System

2004 Heniz Feldman, PhD
Canadian Science Center for Human and Animal Health
The Role of Field Diagnostics for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

2003 David Magnus, MD
Stanford University
Ethical Issues in Confinement of Genetically Engineered Organisms

2002 Thomas M. Folks
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Occupational Exposures to Retroviruses

2001 Elizabeth Neumeir
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals Safety Considerations in the Production of World Supply of Influenza Vaccine

2000 Peter J. Gerone
Tulane Primate Research Center
Biosafety, Now and Then

1999 Kirsty Duncan
University of Windsor
Searching for the Secrets of Spanish Flue in Svalbard, Norway

1998 Nancy K. Jaax and Jerry Jaax
USAMRIID University of Kansas
Experience in the Hot Zone—A Case Study in Emerging Disease Issues and Management

1997 Stanley B. Pruisner
University of California, San Francisco
Biology and Genetics of Prions

1996 William C. Patrick
Consultant to U.S. on Biological Warfare
Overview of the Old United States Biological Weapons Program

1995 Thomas Walton
National Animal Disease Center
Biosafety and Biocontainment: A View from a User’s Perspective

1994 Christopher Collins
Biosafety: The European Perspective

1993 Julia K. Hilliard
Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research
B Virus Zoonosis in Humans: A Current View

1992 Seymour Block
University of Florida
Historical Review of Disinfectants

1991 Peter Wright
Vanderbilt University
Lessons from Druidry: The Art and Science of Vaccinology

1990 Walter Dowdle
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Management Perspectives in Biosafety

1989 John Richardson
Emory University
Biosafety in Hindsight—Fifty Years of Progress and a Few Notable Failures

1988 Maxine Singer
Carnegie Institute
Junk Genomes

1987 Robert E. Shope
Yale University
Biosafety Concerns in Arbovirology

1986 Howard W. Larsh
Oklahoma University
Fungi: Interesting, Remarkable, and Extremely Complicated

1985 Renato Dulbecco
Salk Institute
Risks and Containment of Viruses

1984 Donald E. Gardner
Northrop Services, Inc.
Pulmonary Infections in a Compromised Host

1983 Peter W. A. Mansell MD
Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute
AIDS

1982 W. Emmett Barkley, PhD
National Institutes of Health
Biosafety—A Discipline in Transition

1981 Fred C. Davidson
University of Georgia
Responsibility for Scientific Response to Nonscientific Judgments in the Public Arena

1980 Riley D. Housewright
National Academy of Sciences
Safe Drinking Water and Health

1979 Clarance J. Gibbs, Jr.
National Institutes of Health

Arnold G. Wedum

Arnold G. Wedum is revered as the person most responsible for creating the biosafety profession. He was a caring and wonderful mentor for many of the early leaders of ABSA. His traits of determination and persistence served biosafety well. He was one of the first to publish papers on how infectious aerosols were created in the lab and how to control those aerosols. He was a brilliant man whose knowledge of biological safety was sought by the leaders of the United State’s biological research community. The NIH Advisory Committee valued his council regarding safety practices appropriate to recombinant DNA research.

Dr. Wedum’s intellect, his deliberate and careful style in assessing hazards, and his vast experience remain instructive to all of us today. He brought to light the fundamental concepts of our profession. His lifelong efforts promoted occupational health and safety in infectious disease research and gave our profession credibility and a valid scientific relevance.

image sources

  • bioawardagw: Owned by the author
  • bioawardehsm: Owned by the author
  • bioawardjhr: Owned by the author
  • bob_hash: Owned by the author
  • bioawardeag: Owned by the author
  • bioawardgriffin: ERG Research Foundation
  • bioawardrig: Owned by the author
  • bioawardrck: Owned by the author