66th Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Hybrid Conference
Scientific Program
SUNDAY/MONDAY October 15/16
All times listed will be CENTRAL Standard Time
Sunday, November 3, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 pm Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Monday, October 16, 2023
7:00 – 5:00 pm Registration
7:00 – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast in Foyer
9:00 – 4:00 pm Vendor Exhibits
8:00 – 8:15 am Welcome and ABSA International President’s Address
Master of Ceremonies
Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera, MSc, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
8:15 – 8:20 am Local Arrangements Committee Welcome
Sepideh Hockley, MBA, Penn State University, Phoenix, AZ
8:20 – 8:25 am Scientific Program Committee Welcome
AJ Troiano, PhD, RBP(ABSA), FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Boston, MA
Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera, MSc
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Mr. Ochoa currently serves as the High-Containment Lab/Pandemic Safety Manager and Responsible Official for the Select Agent Program for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at Michigan State University. From October 2019 to June 2021, he worked as the Director of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Research Laboratory Network of the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS) and from March 2013 to October 2019 he served as BSL-3 Lab Coordinator at the National Reference Laboratory in Mexico. Prior to his current position, he received a Master´s Degree in Public Health Management focused on Biological Risk Management. He is currently the President of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA-International) and has served as the Chair of the Publications Committee, member of the International Engagement Committee, member of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Working Group, and international editor for Applied Biosafety Journal. As one of the eighteen founding members and past President of the AMEXBIO, he has strengthened the network between biosafety professionals in the region and helped to create strategic alliances with international and national institutions. Additionally, Mr. Ochoa has served as a mentor of different mentoring programs for Sandia National Laboratories, the Next Generation Global Health Security Network, and the IFBA Mentorship Program. In addition, Mr. Ochoa is a Certified Biosafety Professional from IFBA in four disciplines: Biorisk Management, Biological Risk Assessment, Biocontainment Facility Design, Operations and Maintenance, and Biosafety Cabinet Selection, Installation and Safe Use.
Sepideh Hockley, MBA
Penn State University
Phoenix, AZ
AJ Troiano, PhD, RBP(ABSA)FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
Boston, MA
AJ is the Global Director, Biosafety & Toxicology for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB), a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in biologically derived therapeutics (6 campuses globally, ~4500 employees). His role ultimately oversees worker and patient safety with respect to the various modalities used in producing biotherapeutics, including microbial and mammalian platforms, as well as cell & viral gene therapies. His leadership philosophy embodies servant leadership as a “safety diplomat”, with a core principle that successful safety leadership is predicated on collaboration with stakeholders across scientific, operational, quality, and environmental health and safety (EHS) infrastructures, as well as promoting strong grassroots efforts from the ground up.
Previously, AJ worked as a biorisk management consultant in the Greater Boston area, working with biotech, life science, academia, and public health institutions, including BSL-3 and BSL-4 operations. He holds a BS in Microbiology with 2nd Major in Classics, a PhD in Biomedical Science, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, and is completing a MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Clinical Toxicology in the Spring of 2025. AJ is a Registered Biosafety Professional (ABSA) and has served as Chair of ABSA’s Scientific Program Committee since 2021, leading conference planning efforts throughout the pandemic and into the new hybrid format. He is also a member of the newly formed ABSA Code of Conduct (CoC) Task Force, an active participant in regional ABSA affiliates (NEBSA, SBA), The Eagleson Institute, Havard-Yale IBC Symposium, BioPhorum, and toxicology based professional organizations (SOT, ACT).
Session 1 | Arnold G. Wedum Memorial Lecture Award
Introduction: Susan Vleck, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Moderator: AJ Troiano, PhD, RBP(ABSA), FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Boston, MA
8:25 – 9:15 am From a House on Fire to a World in Shutdown: The Intersection of Epidemiology and Vaccinology
Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
9:15 – 9:25 am Q&A Session
Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, CA
Dr. Yvonne (Bonnie) A. Maldonado, MD, is the Taube Endowed Professor of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, a Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology and Population, and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is an infectious diseases epidemiologist who completed training as an Epidemiologic Intelligence Surveillance Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Maldonado has achieved national and international recognition for her scholarship in epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. Her research addresses the prevalence, transmission and progression of HIV and vaccine preventable diseases in infants and children. She has led NIH, CDC, Gates Foundation and WHO funded domestic and international pediatric vaccine studies, as well as studies in prevention and treatment of perinatal HIV infection in the U.S., India, Mexico and Africa, and led several research projects regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19. She serves on the Council of the NICHD/NIH and the ACIP/CDC and has served on national and international committees in the area of pediatrics, vaccines and infectious diseases, including as a former chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, a former member of the Board of Scientific Counselors, CDC Office of Infectious Diseases, the U.S. HHS National Vaccine Advisory Committee and the Board of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Pediatric Research, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and the American Public Health Association. Dr. Maldonado has published over 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is the co-editor of two books: Remington and Klein’s Infectious Diseases of the Fetus and Newborn and the American Academy of Pediatrics Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (Red Book).
9:25 – 9:55 am | Exhibits, Posters, and Coffee Break
Session 2 | Evolution of BSL-4
Moderators:
Rachel Gamble, DrPH, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), Pond & Company, Peachtree Corners, GA
Kelly Flint, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
9:55 – 10:10 am Enabling Enhanced US Made BSL-4 Ensemble
Michael Rein, PhD, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), Cambridge, MA
10:10 – 10:25 am Modeling the Effects of Routine Screening for Lab–Acquired–Infections at High–Biosafety Research Facilities
Byron Cohen, PhD, Harvard University, Boston, MA
10:25 – 10:40 am The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Design, Construction and Operation of a Biocontainment Facility
E. Scott Kreitlein, MArch, BHDP Architects, Saratoga Springs, UT
10:40 – 10:55 am Q&A Session
Michael Rein, PhD
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
Cambridge, MA
Dr. Michael Rein is the Director of Engineering at the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) manufacturing institute. Dr. Rein is managing technology and product development of a new domestically produced BSL-4 ensemble as well as projects that introduce advanced multifunctional fibers and electronics into textiles to enable a high-tech transformation of the U.S. textile industry. Dr. Rein received a BSc degree in Materials Engineering and a BA in Physics from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, MSc in Chemistry from the Weizmann Institute and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT.
Byron Cohen, PhD
Harvard University
Boston, MA
Byron Cohen is a Horizon Fellow working on biosecurity policy in the federal government. He completed his PhD in Population Health Sciences with Harvard’s Department of Global Health and Population in July 2024. In his research, Byron uses epidemiological models to evaluate interventions for early detection, prevention, and response to pandemics.
E. Scott Kreitlein, MArch
BHDP Architects
Saratoga Springs, UT
Scott Kreitlein has over 30 years of experience in the design community planning some of the most complex science related projects in the industry. Having worked exclusively in the S&T field, Scott has utilized his experience in designing different research-based projects across the globe. He specializes in biocontainment type vivarium facilities.
10:55 – 11:00 am | Stretch
Session 3 | Perspectives on Regulations and Guidelines
Moderators:
Theresa Marth, MPH, RBP(ABSA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD
Jessica McCormick-Ell, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
11:00 – 11:15 am Evolving Landscape in Life Sciences Regulation: Assessing Impact and Advancing Biosafety
Randy A. Albrecht, PhD, RBP(ABSA), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
11:15 – 11:30 am Using ISO 35001 as a Tool to Help Improve a Laboratory’s Local Community Relations
Jane S. Alam, MRIGlobal, Gaithersburg, MD
11:30 – 11:45 am Implementation of Global Action Plan III Laboratory Containment in Poliovirus-Essential Facilities – United States, 2017-2023
Christy Ottendorfer, PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
11:45 – 12:00 pm Q&A Session
Randy A. Albrecht, PhD, RBP(ABSA)Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, NY
Randy Albrecht, PhD, RBP(ABSA) is the Senior Director of Biosafety and Responsible Official for biological select agents and toxins at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. He also serves as the Director of the BSL-3 Biocontainment CoRE and oversees basic and translational research involving high-consequence pathogens. His academic research focused on investigations of host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis of viral disease, with emphasis on studying influenza viruses, coronaviruses, alphaviruses, and picornaviruses. He is an active member of ASM’s Public and Scientific Affairs Committee.
Jane S. Alam
MRIGlobal
Gaithersburg, MD
Jane S. Alam is a Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence (ASQ CMQ/OE) with over 20 years of experience working in biosurveillance, research, and clinical diagnostic laboratories. She specializes in Quality Assurance focused laboratory management, leadership skills, training development, and implementation. Additionally, Jane Alam has supported multiple leadership, biosafety, biosecurity, and technical training events nationally and internationally for high containment laboratory staff, including capacity building efforts in West Africa post the 2014 Ebola epidemic. She is currently employed as a Senior Quality Assurance Officer at MRIGlobal.
Christy Ottendorfer, PhD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA
Christy Ottendorfer, PhD is a Microbiologist and Senior Science Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/United States National Authority for Containment of Polioviruses (USNAC). In this role, Dr. Ottendorfer supported the establishment of a new national oversight program for poliovirus containment and leads research studies to develop an evidence basis for laboratory containment recommendations and guidance. Dr. Ottendorfer works closely with national, regional and global partners to develop and continually improve the audit and certification program for poliovirus-essential facilities in alignment with WHO and ISO guidelines. Between 2010-2017, Dr. Ottendorfer served as a Microbiologist with the CDC/Division of Select Agents and Toxins, participated in over 100 inspections of registered entities, and led the initial development and pilot release of the eFSAP information system. Prior to joining CDC, Dr. Ottendorfer held positions as adjunct faculty and post-doctoral scientist directing select agent arbovirus research in an A/BSL-3 facility at the University of South Florida, Virologist at the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories, and Biological Scientist at the University of Florida. Dr. Ottendorfer received her formal training in Microbiology and Public Health at the University of Florida and University of South Florida.
12:00 – 1:30 pm | Exhibits, Posters, and Lunch
Session 4 | Poster Session
12:30 – 1:30 pm Presenters must be available during the session.
Session 5 | Invited Speaker
Introduction: Mike McCarthy, RBP(ABSA), Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA
Moderator: Maya Nair, PhD, RBP(ABSA), University of North Texas Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
1:30 – 2:15 pm Mitigating Risk in the Field and Lab When Dealing with Venomous Creatures in Research
Christopher L. Parkinson, PhD, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
2:15 – 2:30 pm Q&A Session
Christopher L. Parkinson, PhDClemson University
Clemson, SC
Dr. Christopher Parkinson is currently a Professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University. He is also the director of the Clemson University Genomics and Bioinformatics facility and Graduate Coordinator for the department of Biological Sciences. He and his team utilize genomic approaches to investigate the evolution, conservation, and systematics of various animal groups, focusing on venomous snakes and their venom. He attended Ohio University for his undergraduate education then earned his PhD from the University of Louisville and conducted postdoctoral work at Indiana University and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Dr. Parkinson has extensive experience conducting fieldwork and leading expeditions in over 20 countries. Dr. Parkinson has been a University Animal Care Committee member and chair, is currently the Chair of the American Society of Ichthyologist and Herpetologists Herpetological Animal Care Committee, has lectured for Scientists Center for Animal Welfare on utilizing wild animals in research and safely conducting fieldwork, and has participated as an invited speaker at American Association for Laboratory Animal Science meetings on safely utilizing venomous snakes in research. He has authored over 90 original scientific papers and book chapters and has given multiple invited seminars on his research.
2:30 – 3:00 pm | Exhibits, Posters, and Coffee Break
Session 6 | Inclusive Biosafety Training for Global Communities
Moderators:
Brett Haltiwanger, PhD, CBSP(ABSA), University of Colorado—Denver, Denver, CO
Francine Rogers, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), Tufts University, Boston, MA
3:00 – 3:15 pm Reaching Across the Bench: Why Biosafety Education is Key for Cell and Gene Therapy
Pharmacists and Clinicians
Heidi Page, MS, RBP(ABSA), SABAI Global—Shield Consulting, Chesterfield, MO
3:15 – 3:30 pm Strategies for Improving Biosafety Accessibility, Buy-In, and Compliance
Sharon Altmann, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), MRIGlobal, Gaithersburg, MD
3:30 – 3:45 pm Establishing a Regional Training and Certification Program for BSC
Thendo Netshilema, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Johannesburg, South Africa
3:45 – 4:00 pm Q&A Session
Heidi Page, MS, RBP(ABSA)
SABAI Global—Shield Consulting
Chesterfield, MO
Heidi has extensive experience in, and passion for, the ‘grey zone’, intertwining regulation, safety and human behavior to find the best overall solutions to the safety and compliance challenges we face when doing research. Heidi has 15+ years of experience in the field of biosafety and has over 7 years of experience serving as the Biological Safety Officer and Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Case Western Reserve University. She earned a BS in Organismal Biology from the University of Kansas, a MS in Cell and Molecular biology from University of Missouri—Kansas City and is a Registered Biosafety Professional with ABSA International. In her role as the Director of Sabai’s Shield Consulting group, Heidi has the opportunity to work with varied clients from academic institutions, CROs, startup biotechs, large pharma, and healthcare institutions. Outside of work Heidi is often found trying her hand at something new, be it gardening, cooking, raising chickens or keeping bees. She feels passionately that there is always something new to learn.
Sharon Altmann, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)
MRIGlobal
Gaithersburg, MD
Dr. Sharon Altmann is a Capability Manager II/Principal Scientist supporting biosafety and global engagement as part of the Integrated Health, Surveillance, and Diagnostics unit at MRIGlobal. She received her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and currently holds both RBP and CBSP credentials from ABSA International. With MRIGlobal, Dr. Altmann has supported multiple international engagements, including BSL-3 laboratory training in Kazakhstan; Ebolavirus outbreak response and survivor study activities; laboratory design and capacity building efforts in West Africa; BSL-4 facility standup and core laboratory support; pandemic-related return-to-work planning for schools and businesses; CLIA laboratory stand-up and operations; and biorisk management training program development for multiple clients. Dr. Altmann currently serves as a Councilor for the Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association (ChABSA).
Thendo Netshilema
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Mr. Thendo Netshilema is a biocontainment engineer with more than 8 years’ experience, supports overseeing the daily operation, maintenance, upgrading, certification and development of BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and offers technical support on the same at other institutions in South Africa and the continent.
4:00 – 4:05 pm | Stretch
Session 7 | Clinical Biosafety
Moderators:
Colleen Kovacsics, PhD, RBP(ABSA), Sparks Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA
Colleen Driskill, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
4:05 – 4:20 pm Risk Assessment for Clinical Trials Involving Genetically Modified Bacteria or Phages
Daniel Eisenman, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), Advarra, Columbia, MD
4:20 – 4:35 pm Uncovering the Hidden Threat: Acinetobacter Baumannii – A Microbiological Survey of Distribution in the Hospital Environment and Disinfectant Tolerance
Sidrah Saleem, PhD, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
4:35 – 4:50 pm Select Agent Regulatory Challenges in a Patient Care Setting
Corrie Ntiforo, MSPH, RBP(ABSA), University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston, Galveston, TX
4:50 – 5:05 pm Q&A Session
Daniel Eisenman, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM)
Advarra
Columbia, MD
Dan Eisenman is Executive Director of Biosafety Services at Advarra, a large clinical research compliance company. Dan heads a commercial IBC overseeing over 1,300 basic science and clinical research sites and institutions. Prior to joining Advarra Dan was the Biosafety Officer at the Medical University of South Carolina and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dan holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and Immunology as well as various biosafety certifications such as RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA) and SM(NRCM). Dan also holds a Regulatory Affairs Pharmaceuticals certificate from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS).
Sidrah Saleem, PhD
University of Health Sciences
Lahore, Pakistan
Dr. Sidrah Saleem is leading the Department of Microbiology at the University of Health Sciences —Lahore. She launched a certificate in medical teaching (CMT) for her students and professionals from across Pakistan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked with her PhD students’ team to help the Government of Punjab, Pakistan in developing biosafety guidelines for COVID-19 testing. She is supervising and co-supervising 16 PhD students and more than 35 MPhil students. She has served as a member and Co-PI of the global trial group for ZF 2001 and Casino Bio for COVID-19 vaccines. She also served as a member of the Government of Punjab’s technical working group on COVID-19 and monkeypox virus.
Corrie Ntiforo, MSPH, RBP(ABSA)
University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston
Galveston, TX
Corrie is the Assistant Director for the Department of Biosafety at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She serves the role of Biosafety Officer and Alternate Responsible Official for the Select Agent Program. Corrie is responsible for the UTMB Select Agent Program oversight and manages one of the largest Select Agent Programs in the U.S. Her primary expertise is in high and maximum containment facilities. She enjoys working with PIs to find innovative solutions to unique research projects at UTMB. Corrie received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Massachusetts—Amherst where she studied Chlamydophila pneumonia and taught undergraduate microbiology laboratory classes. She received a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree in Parasitology/Tropical Medicine from Tulane University School of Tropical Medicine where she studied Schistosoma mansoni and taught graduate protozoology/helminthology laboratory classes and assisted with teaching virology courses. She is a Registered Biosafety Professional through the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) and an active member of ABSA, the NIAID NBL/RBL network, National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) and the Veterinary Science and Biodefense BSL-3 Network (RAV3N).
5:10 – Close | Members’ Business Meeting
Door prizes will be awarded—must be present to win.