ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES

October 24-26, 2025

Sunday, October 26, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

15. Advanced Risk Assessment

In this advanced and interactive course, attendees will evaluate a variety of challenging scenarios based on actual research protocol submissions and real-world events from multiple risk perspectives. Attendees will work in teams to conduct risk assessments on a diverse selection of scenarios that will include multiple systems used in research as a research project progresses from discovery to cell culture, to small animal models using recombinant materials, and human clinical trials. Risk assessments will focus on the likelihood of exposure and the severity of consequences from exposure to the multitude of hazards encountered in increasingly complex research as well as the surprises that may come across the biosafety officer's desk. Attendees will be challenged to consider additional risks aside from infection and how best to mitigate them. Attendees should have a thorough understanding of pathogenic microorganisms, rDNA principles, other infectious substances and the link between biosafety, risk assessment, and risk mitigation for this advanced course. There is an emphasis on the interactive nature of the risk assessment process and differing views of risk tolerance will be considered; attendees should be prepared to participate in discussions and bring interesting or difficult examples of interest to them to discuss with the class.

Objectives:

  • Prioritize risks based on the likelihood and consequences of an occurrence
  • Identify risks requiring mitigation and mitigation strategies to minimize the unacceptable risks
  • Identify institutional and external partners to help implement mitigation strategies
  • Evaluate mitigation strategies for effectiveness, adjust strategies as warranted

Suggested Background: Fundamentals of Biosafety, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, Basic Risk Assessment, Principles & Practices of Biosafety
Target Audience: Experienced Biosafety Professionals, Laboratory Workers

Audience Level: Advanced

COURSE FACULTY

David Harbourt, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA), SM(NRCM)

Dr. David Harbourt is a Safety and Occupational Health Manager for the Center of Veterinary Medicine at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prior to his current position, he served as the Program Director of the National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program (NBBTP) at the National Institutes of Health. Before that, he served in a variety of roles at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) including Biosafety Officer, Chief of the Biosafety Division and Deputy Director of the USMARIID Transition Office (2012-2021). Prior to working at USAMRIID, he was a fellow in the NBBTP. Preceding the fellowship, he graduated with his B.S. in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech ('05) and his Ph.D. in Toxicology from UNC-Chapel Hill ('09).

Dr. Harbourt has been an active member of ABSA International since 2010; has previously served as the Chair of the Preconference Course Committee and Chair of the Training Tools and Resources Committee; and currently serves as a member of the Exam Development Board for the CBSP Exam. He has also been a member of the Standards Committee, Professional Development Team, and BSAT Community Advocate Committee for ABSA. He has recently been named Co-Chair of the ABSA Ambassadors Committee. Locally within the Chesapeake Area Biosafety Association, Dave has been a Councilor, Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for its annual symposium, and Chair of the Pre-Symposium Committee. Previously, Dr. Harbourt served as Chair of the DoD Biosafety and Scientific Review Panel.

Dr. Harbourt has published several articles on topics relevant to biosafety including bacteriology, virology, agent inactivation, effluent decontamination systems, and risk assessment. He has also taught courses both at ABSA and at local universities on biosafety, risk assessment, emergency management, and effluent decontamination systems. Dave is a Registered Biosafety Professional and Certified Biological Safety Professional through ABSA International and a Specialist Microbiologist (NRCM) through the American Society of Microbiology.

CONTACT HOURS

This course has been approved for 1.0 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. This course is approved for 7.5 P.A.C.E.® contact hours.

Sunday, October 26, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

16. ISO35001 Implementation Workshop

In 2019, ISO published a new biorisk management standard that many biomedical research laboratories all over the world are adopting. This workshop will provide presentations, facilitated discussions, and tools to introduce concepts related to biosecurity and biosafety (biorisk) management systems. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of biorisk management (BRM) systems and learn to apply the ISO 35001 framework as a strategic planning tool. The course guides participants in mapping their current systems to the ISO standard, identifying gaps, and prioritizing improvements to enhance biosafety and biosecurity practices. Using the ISO 35001 as a planning and mapping tool, will enable institutions to effectively identify, assess, control, and monitor the laboratory biosafety and biosecurity risks associated with hazardous biological materials using the concept of continual improvement through the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) principle.

Objectives:

  • Identify the key elements of a BRM system based on the review sections of the ISO 35001 BRM system standard
  • Map existing BRM systems to the ISO 35001 and identify both strengths and opportunities to improve existing system
  • Prioritize elements or areas that need improvement
  • Select an area for improvement and identify a simple, short term, project idea to help strengthen one element within the existing system

Suggested Background: None
Target Audience: Experienced Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals

Audience Level: Advanced

COURSE FACULTY

Eric Cook, MPH, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
Eric Cook, MPH
Senior Member – Technical Staff
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, NM

Eric Cook is a Senior Member of the Technical Staff in the International Biological and Chemical Threat Reduction Program at Sandia National Laboratories where his work focuses on promoting global laboratory biorisk management. He serves as one of the program's lead trainers. Eric served as the Biosafety Officer for Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH for five years where he managed the Biosafety Program and Institutional Biosafety Committee. Prior to working at Dartmouth, Eric was an Assistant Biosafety Officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for six years. While at MIT, Eric completed his Master's Degree in Public Health at Boston University with a focus on Environmental Health. Eric has a B.S.in Molecular Biology from Brigham Young University where he worked in a recombinant DNA lab for two years assisting with work in phylogenetics. He is certified by the National Registry of Certified Microbiologists as a Specialist Microbiologist in Biological Safety Microbiology and previously by ABSA International as a Certified Biological Safety Professional. Eric has particular expertise in dangerous goods and infectious substance shipping. He worked for three years at Saf-T-Pak, Inc. developing training programs and packaging for shipping infectious substances.

CONTACT HOURS

This course has been approved for 1.0 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. This course is approved for 7.5 P.A.C.E.® contact hours.

Webinars

Virtual Professional Development Courses – Webinars

All times listed are in CENTRAL TIME ZONE

September 12 – November 14

Although these courses are part of the Professional Development Program for the 68th Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Hybrid Conference, it is not necessary to be a conference participant to register for these courses. Registration for the virtual professional development courses must be purchased on separate registration forms from the conference registration.

Monday, November 10 through Friday, November 14, 2025 | 1:30 pm – 3:10 pm CST

10V. Infectious Substance Shipping Program Management

This course is tailored for individuals responsible for establishing and overseeing infectious substance shipping programs within their facilities. This webinar series aims to assist institutions in developing robust shipping programs tailored to their needs. Course elements include: training; written policies; written descriptions of program plans; transport and shipping specific SOPs; safety and security plans; emergency response plans; logistics and supplies; carrier selection and support; MOUs and authorizations; access control and personnel assurance. The instructor will provide a detailed and comprehensive shipping program assessment and implementation guidance document. Attendees will receive an introduction to this document and step-by-step guidance on its completion. By completing the assessment document, attendees will conduct a thorough review to identify areas for improving existing shipping programs. This interactive, instructor led, web-based training will invite attendees to share examples of how these elements are addressed at their own institution.

What You'll Learn

  • Development and Oversight of Infectious Substance Shipping Programs – establish program components such as training, SOPs, safety/security plans, and emergency response procedures
  • Program Assessment and Implementation Guidance – use a comprehensive assessment tool to evaluate and improve current shipping practices
  • Regulatory Compliance and Operational Logistics – ensure personnel assurance and regulatory compliance in program operations

Objectives:

  • Evaluate external and internal requirements or conditions that impact shipping policies and program components at a facility, emphasizing the relevance of international regulations (ICAO TI), international standards (IATA DGR), and other guidance (CDC, WHO, CWA) for developing a robust shipping program
  • Recognize the components of a shipping program and utilize provided tools and templates to assess current shipping program elements, identifying opportunities for improvement
  • Compare and contrast various approaches to setting up a shipping program (centralized, decentralized, hybrid), and gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each

Suggested Background: IATA Infectious Substance Shipping Certification
Who Should Attend:       Experienced Biosafety Professionals, Infectious Substance Shipping Managers & Trainers
Audience Level: Advanced
Course Length: 8 hours (five 1-hour 40-minute sessions)

Questions

Please direct questions about this course to:
KariAnn DeServi, MEd
Director of Education, ABSA
866.425.1385 / education@absa.org

To receive the ABSA member rate, participants must be current ABSA members during the training year. Confirmed, paid participants will receive course details a few days prior. Substitutions allowed with notice by 10/13/2025. Cancellations incur a 15% fee. Between 10/13/2025 and 10/20/2025, 50% refunds apply. No refunds after 10/20/2025.

Course is five 1-hour 40-minute sessions. Attendees will need to log on 15 minutes prior to the start time. To receive credit and a certificate, attendees must attend the session and complete or access all course modules. The course materials are for registered participants only.

COURSE FACULTY
COURSE FEES

ABSA Member: $500
Non-member: $670

To receive the ABSA member rate, participants must be current ABSA members during the training year. Fees include course handouts, access to the ABSA International training site, and 8 hours of expert-led interactive instruction.

CONTACT HOURS

This course has been approved for 1.0 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. *ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. This course is approved for 8.0 P.A.C.E.® contact hours. Course access links are unique and for individual use only. Sharing is prohibited. Duplicate logins or unregistered attendees will be removed from the webinar without a refund.