The IFBA announces today that Sacha Wallace-Sankarsingh will be stepping down from her role as Regional Program Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Over the past two years, her leadership has been instrumental in fostering networking through the LAC Mentorship Program and Women’s Network, creating opportunities for professionals to obtain recognized biorisk management credentials, advancing national strategies, and expanding our network of new biosafety associations in the Caribbean, Ecuador & Peru.
“It has been a tremendous honour to have served alongside the IFBA team, biosafety associations and regional partners. I am confident that LAC countries are better equipped to implement local programs enabling the safe and secure handling of biological materials across sectors.” said Ms. Wallace-Sankarsingh.
The IFBA is pleased to welcome Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera as our new 2026-2027 LAC Regional Program Coordinator. As an active member of the IFBA’s LAC Working Group, he is well positioned to build on recent achievements and continue advancing progress throughout the region.
“I am deeply committed to sustaining and expanding the region’s progress in strengthening biosafety and biosecurity. My focus will be uniting key stakeholders, empowering local champions, and supporting the creation, impact and sustainability of local biosafety associations. I will also continue promoting values that are essential to a resilient biosafety culture. Together, through partnership and shared purpose, we can continue advancing a strong, interconnected LAC regional community that contributes meaningfully to global health security.” stated Mr. Ochoa Carrera.
