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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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