Starts in:
67th Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Hybrid Conference
Wednesday Scientific Program
November 6, 2024
All times listed will be MOUNTAIN Standard Time
7:00 – 5:00 pm Registration
7:00 – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast in Foyer
Session 14 | Griffin Lecture Award
Introduction: Erin Sorrell, PhD, MSc, Elizabeth R. Griffin Program, Washington, DC
Moderators: Sarah Ziegler, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), Sitero, Coral Gables, FL
8:00 – 8:45 am Strengthening National and Regional Collaboration for Laboratory Biorisk Management in Mali and Across West and Central Africa
Djibril Sangaré, PhD, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Bamako, Mali
8:45 – 9:00 am Q&A Session
Erin Sorrell, PhD, MScElizabeth R. Griffin Program
Washington, DC
Djibril Sangaré, PhD
Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC)
Bamako, Mali
Dr. Djibril Sangaré holds a PhD in Medical Entomology and Parasitology from the University of Mali, Bamako Mali. He also holds a PhD in Biology (Molecular Entomology) from the University of Notre Dame and is working at the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC) in Bamako, Mali as a Senior Scientist Researcher. He was the head of the Malaria Vector Bioinformatics and is currently leading the Vector Immunity and Molecular Entomology Units. As a lecturer, he teaches Cell and Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Medicine and is directly involved in the training of students for their thesis/dissertations in medical Entomology/Parasitology. Dr. Sangaré is a member of the Biosafety & Biosecurity Institutional Comity of the University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB) and a member of the National Biosafety Comity of Mali. He is the Master of Biosafety and Biosecurity Coordinator at USTTB and President of the Malian Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity, whose primary mission is to train life scientists working in public health, animal health, agriculture, research, and education in biosafety and biosecurity. At the regional level, he is a member of the West African Biorisk Management Network (WABNet) and is a West African BRM Trainer for the Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Network (RISLNET). Dr. Sangaré greatly contributes to the development and implementation of tools, guidelines, legislation, and regulations to inform and educate laboratory staff, health service agents, and national authorities on biorisk issues.
9:00 – 9:05 am | Stretch
Session 15 | Biosafety Program Management: Topics, Trends, and Analyses
Moderators:
Sunny Hoffman, MPH, RBP(ABSA), Clinical Biosafety Services, Columbia, MO
James Baugh, PhD, CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), University of California—Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
9:05 – 9:20 am Biosafety Assurance: Tracking Compliance and Operational Excellence
Luis Ochoa Carrera, MSc, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
9:20 – 9:35 am Trends in Demographics Among Biosafety Professionals: A Decade-Long Analysis
An Tran, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
9:35 – 9:50 am Developing an Effort Coefficient to Strengthen Programmatic Statistics
Andrew B. Maksymowych, PhD, MS, RBP(ABSA), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
9:50 – 10:05 am The Impact of Targeted Interventions on Overall Safety Culture and Injuries
Samantha Parsons, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
10:05 – 10:35 am Q&A Session
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.
An Tran
University of Nevada
Reno, Reno, NV
An Tran is a first-year PhD student in Environmental Science and Health at the University of Nevada—Reno. She earned her Master’s Degree in Information Systems from the same institution. Her research focuses on data analysis, statistics, and prediction modeling, particularly using health data.
Andrew B. Maksymowych, PhD, MS, RBP(ABSA)University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Andrew has been at the University of Pennsylvania since 2006. He is Penn’s Institutional Biosafety Officer and Associate Director for Life Sciences Safety (BIOSAFETY) and Compliance Programs, IBC Director & Administrator, and the Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research. He sits on the Vice Provost’s for Research, Human Research Advisory Committee, the Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, the Cadaver and Body Parts Oversight Committee, and a Veterinary IRB. Andrew obtained his BS and MS degrees from Villanova University, and his PhD in Biochemistry from Bryn Mawr College. He has more than 20 years of teaching and 35 years of research experience, a major portion of which included oversight of research safety and compliance programs. Prior to his journey at Penn, he held a faculty appointment at Thomas Jefferson University where his research focused on the analysis of structure-function relationships in proteins, including protein toxins that poison the human nervous system, studying the mechanism of action of botulinum neurotoxins. For the past 10 years Andrew has been involved in programs with the Biosafety Administrator’s Association (BSAA).
Samantha Parsons
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH
Samantha Parsons is a graduate of Ohio State University. She has worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the past 5 years within the Research Safety Department. She is enthusiastic about promoting a positive safety culture in support of high quality research.
10:35 – 10:45 am | Coffee Break
Session 16 | Animal Biosafety
Moderators:
Gregory Powell, PhD, RBP(ABSA), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Frank Novembre, PhD, RBP(ABSA), Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
10:45 – 11:00 am Improving Hazard Communication in Animal Research
Sarah Capasso, PhD, RBP(ABSA), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
11:00 – 11:15 am Adapting a Behavioral Arena for Rodent Neuroinfectious Disease Research
Brinkley Morse, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
11:15 – 11:30 am The Introduction of University of Southern California’s Newly Established Animal Research Safety Program Within its Research Community
Bagrat Khachatryan, PhD, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
11:30 – 11:45 am Expecting the Unexpected – Preparations and Complications of an ABSL-3 Renovation Project
Liliam Montoya, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
11:45 – 12:15 pm Q&A
Sarah Capasso, PhD, RBP(ABSA)
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Sarah Capasso, Associate Biosafety Officer, has been at the University of Pennsylvania since 2017. She obtained her BS in Biology from Gettysburg College in 2008 and her MS and PhD in Plant Pathology from Penn State University in 2010 and 2016, respectively. At Penn, she works closely with researchers, the Institutional Biosafety Committee, and the university’s large animal laboratories and hospital. Among her many duties, she is the biosafety liaison to the University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) where she provided technical biosafety support and outreach. Sarah also serves as an alternate member of Penn’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Brinkley MorseBaylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX
Brinkley Morse is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Biochemistry. He conducts research at UT in the Laboratory of Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Bionanomedicine and the Melamed Lab at Dell Medical School and at Baylor College of Medicine in the Laboratory of Translational Virology, where this research was conducted.
Bagrat Khachatryan, PhDUniversity of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Bagrat Khachatryan is a talented professional who resides in North Hollywood, California. He has a strong interest in two areas: animal research and environmental health and safety (EH&S). Dr. Khachatryan has a distinguished academic record. He graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the Armenian State Agrarian University and a PhD from the National Academy of Sciences’ Zoological Institute of the Scientific Center of Hydro Ecology and Zoology. Los Angeles Valley Colleges awarded Dr. Khachatryan an AA in Biology as well. Throughout his career, Dr. Khachatryan has amassed extensive experience in EH&S and animal safety, demonstrating proficiency in lab management, ISO 17025 compliance, safety program management, and risk assessments. Fluent in English, Russian, Armenian, and Polish, he excels in communication and collaboration, working effectively within teams to achieve organizational objectives. Currently serving as a Biosafety/Animal Safety Specialist II at the University of Southern California’s Environmental Health and Safety Department, Dr. Khachatryan has been instrumental in establishing and managing animal research safety programs, conducting risk assessments, and training staff on biosafety protocols. Dr. Khachatryan’s background as a Laboratory Specialist at Jacobs/Ch2M demonstrates his expertise in the management of laboratories for both human and animal health. At the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, he ensured adherence to biosafety, biosecurity, and quality control requirements. At the Armenian State Animal and Food Safety Laboratory, Dr. Khachatryan oversaw multinational partnerships, implemented quality management systems, and managed large-scale projects in his capacity as Director of Field Activities. Dr. Khachatryan showed his dedication to advancing safe laboratory procedures worldwide by offering advice and training on biosafety regulations while serving as a Subject Matter Expert at PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt).
Liliam Montoya
University of California – Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Liliam Montoya is an Assistant Biosafety Officer from University of California—Berkeley. She assists with the oversight of High-Containment lab operations on campus. As part of the biosafety team, she reviews Biological User Authorizations for projects across campus and is a member of the Urgent Response Support Program Team. Before transitioning into Biosafety, Liliam worked as a mycologist, lab manager, and lab safety coordinator for eight years. She assisted with the opening and management of operations for a mycological lab researching risk group 3 fungal pathogens.
12:15 – 1:45 pm | Honor Awards and Special Recognition Luncheon
Presenter: Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera, MSc, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Arnold G. Wedum Distinguished Achievement Award
Everett J. Hanel, Jr. Presidential Award
John H. Richardson Special Recognition Award
Diane Fleming Leadership Award
Scientific and Informational Poster Awards
Hashimoto Award for Service and Honor
Richard Rebar Recognition of Certified Biological Safety Professionals and Registered Biosafety Professionals
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.
Session 17 | Richard Knudsen Award
Introduction: Matthew Anderson, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), MRIGlobal, Kansas City, MO
Moderator: Darlene Ward, RBP(ABSA), Advarra, Boca Raton, FL
1:45 – 2:05 pm An Assessment of Germicidal Ultraviolet Treatment Cabinets and Carousels Using a Bacteriophage Surface Challenge
Alan Beswick, PhD, Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Buxton, United Kingdom
2:05 – 2:15 pm Q&A Session
Alan Beswick, PhD
Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre
Buxton, United Kingdom
Alan Beswick is a Principal Microbiologist at the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Laboratory in Buxton, England, where he mainly works on projects investigating occupational exposure to microorganisms or their by-products. His previous studies for HSE and other UK Government organizations include evaluations of automated decontamination equipment such as fumigation and germicidal UV systems. He also led a recent assessment of air cleaning devices for the removal of airborne microorganisms to reduce pathogen exposure. Alan has undertaken major projects for multiple government departments, in relation to bio-decontamination and contributed to HSE’s training program for BSL-3 level bio-scientists. He has previously supported prior major HSE incident investigations, assisting HSE inspectors with scientific testing at our Buxton Laboratory. Alan’s work has also included reviews of published evidence for HSE, to support policy and regulatory decision making, including projects on safer sharps use (to reduce needlestick injury), control measures related to surgical smoke exposure, and the evidence supporting the use of mental health first aid. A recent review has involved an assessment of the evidence around anaerobic digestion process safety and control.
2:15 – 2:20 pm | Stretch
Session 18 | Navigating Challenges in Biosafety Facilities
Moderators:
Shelley Jones, MS, RBP(ABSA), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Jeffrey Potts, MPH, CBSP(ABSA), U.S. Geological Survey, Falls Church, VA
2:20 – 2:35 pm Fixing Broken Laboratories
Mark Wheatley, BEng, CEng, MCIBSE, Environment & Services Ltd., Cornwall, United Kingdom
2:35 – 2:50 pm BSL-2 Lab Decommissioning Project Management: Challenges and Solutions
Jacqueline Hardt, CBSP(ABSA), Zoubek Consulting LLC, Palm Springs, CA
2:50 – 3:05 pm The Cold Room That We Forgot
Tim Strovas, PhD, RBP(ABSA), Puget Sound Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Seattle, WA
3:05 – 3:20 pm Air Changes Effectiveness in Laboratories
Cory Ziegler, PE, Merrick & Company, Greenwood Village, CO
3:20 – 3:50 pm Q&A
Mark Wheatley, BEng, CEng, MCIBSE
Environment & Services Ltd.
Cornwall, United Kingdom
Mark Wheatley is a Biocontainment Engineer, Chartered Building Services Engineer and Specialist Consultant in Containment Laboratory Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance (since 1998). Mark provides consultancy services to companies, organizations, institutions, governments and NGOs worldwide. Marks particular specialism lies in detailed investigation, fault-finding, root cause analysis, and remediation of poorly functioning, failing or failed biocontainment facilities. Mark has 25+ years biocontainment facility related problem-solving experience. Mark is currently project manager for the MORU DTRA BTRP RRLFMDSEA renovation project in Thailand. Mark acted as technical expert in biocontainment engineering advising the Dutch NAC WHO GAPIII audit team (2019-23). Mark was Senior Biocontainment Engineer at Defra UK (2018-19). Mark was Key Expert 4, EU CBRN CoE Project 46 (2015-18) during which he developed and delivered training to Engineers, Architects and Scientists from 8 ASEAN countries on ‘Laboratory Design, Construction, Operation and Management’ including writing the booklet “A broad introduction to the design and construction of biosafety laboratories in low-resource settings”. Mark contributed to the WHO LBM4 monograph on Laboratory Design and Maintenance and has volunteered twice on the SNL twinning programme. Mark is a member of ISO TS 7446 ISO 35001 guidance writing team. Mark specializes in biocontainment facility technical peer-review and is often invited as a technical expert to join structured risk assessment teams reviewing critical systems such as: EDS; Autoclaves; high containment HVAC and Controls. At Defra, Mark worked closely with a specialist functional safety team to satisfy the requirements of UK HSE. Mark first worked on structured risk assessments during the response to HSE investigations after the 2007 UK FMD Outbreak. Mark worked closely with HSE delivering a £3M+ project of improvements to enhance safety systems at the Pirbright and Compton sites of the Institute for Animal Health. Mark lives in Cornwall, UK.
Jacqueline Hardt, CBSP(ABSA)
Zoubek Consulting LLC
Palm Springs, CA
Jacqueline started her career as a Molecular and Cellular Biologist working in R&D as a bench scientist specializing in enzymology and microbiology before progressing into the safety profession. For the last eleven years, she has been a Senior Consultant at Zoubek Consulting, supporting multiple companies in the San Diego area, other regions of the U.S., and globally, specializing in the field of hazardous materials safety. She is a Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP), Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP) and Trainer (CDGT), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT). She has served as an alternate biosafety officer and alternate responsible official, and, in her current role as company biosafety specialist, she effectively manages all aspects of complex biosafety programs, including those at high containment, and those involving toxins, GMOs and live animals.
Tim Strovas, PhD, RBP(ABSA)
Puget Sound Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Seattle, WA
Tim Strovas has a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Washington. Prior to his current position, he conducted research in stochastic biological systems and optical device development. For the last twelve years he has been a Senior Scientist in the Kraemer Lab at the VA Puget Sound studying pre-clinical pathways that lead to protein aggregation in Tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s Disease. His research focus is on the development of novel cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases. Since 2020, he has been the Biosafety Officer for the third largest research program in the Department of Veteran Affairs and has been a Registered Biosafety Officer since 2023.
Cory Ziegler, PE
Merrick & Company
Greenwood Village, CO
Mr. Cory Ziegler is a registered professional engineer in the United States and Canada, and has over 25 years of experience with design, construction oversight, and commissioning of HVAC and specialty plumbing systems for BSL-3, BSL-3Ag, and BSL-4 laboratories world-wide. Mr. Ziegler has been a senior mechanical engineer with Merrick and Company for the past 15 years, and with Hemisphere Engineering for more than 10 years before that. Mr. Ziegler has been the lead engineer for multiple projects with a special focus in effluent decontamination systems, solid and tissue waste disposal systems, BSL-4 chemical shower and breathing air systems, and laboratory ventilation control strategies. Mr. Ziegler has extensive field experience during construction, commissioning, and operation, which allows for real life examination of engineering systems, including constructability as well as long term maintenance analysis. Mr. Ziegler has authored articles as well as presented for such organizations as ABSA, Tradelines, Eagleson, and I2SL. Topics are focused on laboratory engineering systems design and operations.
3:50 – 4:00 pm | Coffee Break
Session 19 | Biosecurity
Moderators:
Susan Vleck, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Brett Haltiwanger, PhD, CBSP(ABSA), University of Colorado—Denver, Denver, CO
4:00 – 4:15 pm Robert I. Gross Student Award: International Biosecurity Education Network: A Timely Tool For Biosecurity
Iris Magne, London Metropolitan University, London, England
4:15 – 4:30 pm Biosecurity Risk Assessment for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Synthetic Biology: A Practical Approach
Leyma P. De Haro, PhD, RBP(ABSA), Merrick & Company, Greenwood Village, CO
4:30 – 4:45 pm A Century of Assessment – The Collection of Biothreat Risk Assessment (COBRA)
Michael Parker, PhD, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
4:45 – 5:00 pm Q&A Session
Iris Magne
London Metropolitan University
London, England
Iris Magne is the Research Assistant for the International Biological Security Education Network (IBSEN) at the Biological Security Research Centre, London Metropolitan University. Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) is scientific research with significant potential for generating information that could be used to harm national security, public health, or the environment. The rapid advances in life sciences represent also more capabilities for malign uses of the research. However, there is a clear lack of education on these issues in the scientific community and other stakeholders from civil society. The IBSEN will provide tools to fill this gap. At the BSRC, Iris is currently developing the foundations of the Network and creating a contact database of people interested in the project and at the core of biosecurity education across the world. Iris holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BA (Hons) from King’s College London. She is also currently pursuing a MPhil/PhD in Russian and Eurasian Studies at King’s College London.
Leyma De Haro, PhD, RBP(ABSA)
Merrick & Company
Greenwood Village, CO
Dr. Leyma P. De Haro received a BS in Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles, and holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of New Mexico. She is a Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) by ABSA International. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships, including one at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. De Haro worked at Sandia National Laboratory, in the internationally renowned Global Chemical and Biological Security Team, where she specialized in Biosafety and Biosecurity on a global scale. She is currently a Senior Scientist specializing in Biosafety and Laboratory Operations at Merrick. Dr. De Haro has over 14 years’ post PhD experience as a scientist, helping laboratories and organizations enhance their biosafety and biosecurity practices. Her background in innovative scientific research enables her to understand the unique safety challenges laboratories and organizations face in today’s rapidly evolving world of life sciences. With a keen focus on fostering a culture of responsibility and safety, Dr. De Haro is committed to promoting best practices in biosafety and biosecurity worldwide, supporting the life sciences community in pursuing groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
Michael Parker, PhD
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Michael Parker is an Assistant Dean at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He holds a BS in Biology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and both an MS and PhD in Immunobiology from Yale University. In graduate school, Dr. Parker studied the innate immune responses of mammalian cells to RNA viruses, specifically focusing on better understanding the restriction of RNA virus infection by DNA-specific innate sensing pathways. Currently, he advises Georgetown’s majors in Biology and Chemistry and teaches coursework as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology. For the past five years, his research group has investigated topics such as the history of the select agents list, the role of public commenting on select agent regulation decisions, and the risk-assessment landscape for high-risk biological agents.
5:00 pm | Close of Conference
Sherry Bohn, PhD, CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM), University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Sherry Bohn, PhD, CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM)University of Maryland—Baltimore
Baltimore, MD