BRM Connect

ABSA International is excited to announce a new program called BioRisk Management Connect (aka BRM Connect) at this year’s Annual Conference! The International Engagement Committee has developed this as a pilot project to debut at the 2020 ABSA International Virtual Conference. 

The goals of this program are: 

  • To foster and facilitate mentor-mentee connections and collaborations between attendees at the Annual ABSA International Conference to work on small projects that can be completed within 3 to 6 months.  
  • Individuals would be able to share the results of the mentorship process with ABSA membership, either through a subsequent webinar, publication of articles in the Applied Biosafety Journal, presentation or poster at following year’s conference. 
  • The learning of new skills and the sharing of knowledge will occur in a bi-directional manner between the mentor and the mentee, with both benefitting from this process and subsequently sharing it with the ABSA membership. 

Details for the 2020 ABSA Conference: 

  • This program will take place virtually from 5:15 pm to 7:15pm CT on November 6th, 2020. 
  • Since this is a pilot program, participation may be limited to specific number of mentor/mentee pairings based on interest expressed in the program and resources available.  
  • In order to participate in the program, registration and attendance at the 2020 ABSA International Virtual Conference will be a requirement. 
  • In order to efficiently facilitate this process, all mentors and mentees must have a professional working proficiency in English. Fluency in other languages may help if both mentor and mentee(s) prefer to communicate using that language. However, final products, written and verbal, must be provided in English. 

Program Format: 

  • Introduction to the goals of the program. 
  • Mentorship experiences shared by speakers. 
  • Announcement of mentor/mentee pairings. 
  • Virtual breakout sessions for mentor/mentees to develop project goals. 
  • Report out to full group and next steps. 

How to participate:  

  • Those who are interested in this program must complete the BRM Connect Survey.
  • Provide a valid email address and be on the lookout for a second survey.
  • If selected, you will be sent conference call information before the event, provided you have registered to attend the conference.
Biorisk Management Connect

What to expect:  

Mentors –  

  • May be paired with 2 to 3 mentees from regional or international locations. 
  • May be involved in advising mentee(s) on different small projects, one per mentee. 
  • Will periodically check-in with mentee(s) based on mutually agreed frequency and communication channels. 
  • Will need to assist mentee(s) in developing final product for presentation/publication. 
  • Will show mutual respect for each other’s time, efforts and expertise.  

Mentees – 

  • May be paired to a mentor who is advising more than one mentee. 
  • Will need to commit to working on mutually agreed upon small project and specific objectives (discussed during the ABSA Conference); mentor will play an advising role.  
  • Will periodically check-in with mentor based on mutually agreed frequency and communication channels. 
  • Will need to be the primary individual preparing final product per program requirements for publication/presentation; mentors will advise and assist as needed. 
  • Will show mutual respect for each other’s time, efforts and expertise.  

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].