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Download the Pre-Conference Workshops program in pdf format here

In advance of the main Global Voices conference, we are offering four pre-conference workshops focusing on relevant topics of interest to the global biosafety & biosecurity community. Workshops are in addition to the conference program and can be added to your registration for an additional fee during the conference registration process.

Two-Day Workshop
Cyberbiosecurity
Dates: January 20th-21st, 2025 / 8:30am – 5:00pm
Registration Fee: $400.00USD
IFBA Certification Exam Fee: $100.00USD – $200.00USD (depending on country)
Presenters:

  • Kennedy Chepukosi, IFBA Certified Professional in Biorisk Management, Biosecurity & Cyberbiosecurity, Technical University of Kenya
  • Lauren Richardson, Director Science & Technology, Merrick & Company

The frequency of cyber attacks has steadily increased worldwide with biotechnology, life sciences and healthcare organizations seen as vulnerable targets. Malicious exploitation of cyber vulnerabilities in these sectors can not only result in data theft but also negatively impact the health, safety and security of laboratory workers and the surrounding community. In today’s technology dependent world, individuals working in, and around biological laboratories need to be well versed in the mitigation of cybersecurity risks. This includes Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) risks in order to protect sensitive biological research, data, databases, and laboratory facilities and equipment against illicit or unauthorized access, theft, tampering, or other forms of misuse. In addition to gaining fundamental cyberbiosecurity knowledge, this workshop will prepare candidates to sit for the IFBA’s Professional Certification in Cyberbiosecurity.

One-Day Workshop
Biological Risk Assessment
Dates: January 20th, 2025 /8:30am – 5:00pm
Registration Fee: $300.00USD
IFBA Certification Exam Fee: $100.00USD – $200.00USD (depending on country)
Presenters:

  • Patrick Okanya, IFBA Certified Professional in Biorisk Management & Biosecurity, Senior Lecturer, Technical University of Kenya
  • Alfred Alinda, IFBA Certified Professional in Biorisk Management and Biological Risk Assessment, IFBA Fellow, National Biosafety Authority Kenya

Biological risk assessment forms the foundation of sustainable and impactful biosafety and biosecurity solutions. Adopting a risk-based decision-making approach to mitigating biological risks ensures biosafety, biosecurity and biocontainment measures are proportionate to the actual risks, locally relevant and can be effectively implemented over the long term. This workshop will focus on conducting structured biosafety and biosecurity risk assessments and implementing risk-based decision making in laboratory settings, in the field during a disease outbreak, and for rapidly evolving biotechnologies. Participants will be introduced to the IFBA’s BIORISK ADVENTURE online game-based learning tool, illustrating the concepts of the risk-based approach as outlined in the WHO 4th Edition Laboratory Biosafety Manual. Finally, in addition to gaining fundamental knowledge, this workshop will prepare candidates to sit for the IFBA’s Professional Certification in Biological Risk Assessment.

Half-Day Workshop
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Biosafety & Biosecurity  
Dates: January 21st, 2025 / 8:30am – 1:00pm
Registration Fee: $200.00USD
Presenters:

  • Stephanie Norlock, IFBA Certified Professional in Biorisk Management, IFBA Senior Program Officer
  • Bintou Ahidjo, Research Platform Manager, University of British Columbia, IFBA Equity Coordinating Committee

Reinforcing and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) among all biosafety and biosecurity workplaces, at the laboratory bench and beyond, is an important step towards collective accountability and understanding workers lived experiences. Organizations that create and support an environment of belonging, equity and inclusion among all employees are healthier with a strong collective responsibility for reducing biological risks. An important first step is to ensure organizations and workers have a good understanding of the tangible connections between DEI and biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace setting. This workshop will guide participants through a set of policies, practices and cultural interventions which can be practically implemented to directly support DEI within a professional biosafety and biosecurity context. Participants will explore seven thematic clusters which describe these tangible connections as outlined in the IFBA’s DEI in Biosafety & Biosecurity Implementation Tool.  The connections between DEI and global biosecurity policy mechanisms/conventions (e.g. Women, Peace & Security (WPS), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and UN Security Council Resolution 1540).

Half-Day Workshop
Dual-Use Research, Bioethics & DNA Synthesis Screening
Dates: January 21st, 2025 / 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration Fee: $200.00USD
Presenters:

  • Piers Millett, Executive Director, International Biosecurity & Biosafety Initiative for Science, IFBA Certified Professional in Biorisk Management & Biosecurity
  • Mayra Ameneiros, Senior Fellow, International Biosecurity & Biosafety Initiative for Science,

Almost all life science research and biotechnology is dual-use. It can be used to further our
understanding of life processes, and is increasingly important as part of the solution for pressing global and local challenges. However, the same knowledge and capabilities can be used to cause accidental or deliberate harm. The challenge governing science and technology so as to maximise its benefits, while minimising risks, has been further complicated by the advent of artificial intelligence. Powerful new tools allow more people in more places to design (and potentially build) increasingly complex biological constructs. As we begin to explore how to manage these risks, it is increasingly important to safeguard the interface between the digital (in silico) and biological (in vitro) worlds. DNA synthesis screening is an important tool to help understand who is accessing what types of material. This workshop will cover the important topics of dual-use research, bioethics, and safeguarding the AI/biology interface through DNA synthesis screening. Participants will engage in exercises focusing on dual-use research and customer screening to better understand how to navigate these issues in real-world scenarios.