The Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights upcoming Schar School events, including a virtual open house and the Counterterrorism Summit 2026, alongside national recognition of its top-ranked homeland security program and a featured analysis on the resurgence of measles and vaccine hesitancy in the United States.  

Considering Graduate School in Policy, Government, or International Affairs? 

The George Mason University will host a virtual open house to learn more about the Schar School of Policy and Government and their academic programs: 

• Monday, April 27 (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT) 

Interested in Terrorism and Complex Threat Landscapes? Join Counter Terrorism 2026! 

The Schar School and HS Today will be hosting the Counterterrorism Summit 2026, a mission-focused convening that brings together government, law enforcement, academia, and the private sector to discuss emerging terrorist organizations, shifting technology adoption, critical infrastructure risks, transnational threat linkages and the role of innovation and AI in extremist operations. 

• Monday, April 20 (9:00 AM EDT) – Tuesday, April 21 (4:00 PM EDT) 

Schar School Highly Rated for Homeland Security Graduate Education 
 
The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as having the No. 4 graduate program in the nation – and the top program in Virginia – for homeland security and emergency management in 2026. This marks the ninth year in a row that the program has ranked among the top 10 nationally.  

This achievement was due in large part to the success of the Biodefense Graduate Program, led by Professor Gregory Koblentz. The program offers a range of academic options, including graduate certificates, both online and in-person Master of Science degrees in Biodefense, and a PhD in Biodefense. The program has been active for more than 20 years and has over 400 alumni working in the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors in the United States and around the world.  

The Schar School’s other graduate programs continue to excel as well. Its public policy specialty areas were among the top performers this year, with all seven of its ranked subject areas in the top 50 nationally and in the top 25 among public universities. Six subject areas ranked No. 1 in Virginia overall, and four ranked No. 1 in the Washington, D.C., region among public universities.  

“As we mark the 10th anniversary of the school’s naming, these rankings speak to what the Schar School has become over the past decade: a place of real national consequence in public affairs education,” said Mark Rozell, Dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government. “From homeland security and nonprofit management to international global policy and public finance, these rankings reflect the breadth of the Schar School’s excellence and the growing national recognition of its strengths.” 

The Return of Measles: Vaccine Hesitancy and the Erosion of U.S. Public Health  

By: Cameron Daniel Benton 

As globalization increases and societies becomes more interconnected, developing and maintaining strong public health measures is more vital than ever. However, previously eradicated diseases are reemerging in the United States due to vaccine hesitancy and shifting policies under the current presidential administration. The 2025 measles outbreak in West Texas serves as a warning sign of what may follow if the nation continues to neglect preventable diseases. The 2025 West Texas measles outbreak has spread to neighboring states, Mexico, and Canadaⁱ and represents a risk to immunocompromised individuals and, in rare cases, to vaccinated individuals through breakthrough infections. ⁱⁱ 

The Trump Administration is actively pivoting away from established, scientific-based evidence and towards dubious alternatives. This shift has damaging implications for local communities that rely on scientific guidance from medical professionals. For example, during the 2025 measles outbreak, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, initially downplayed the severity of the crisis, misleadingly suggested that vitamin A prevents measles, and directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to distribute additional vitamin A to the Texas Department of Health. ⁱⁱⁱ As a result, some children were hospitalized with both vitamin A toxicity and measles.^iv Although Secretary Kennedy later admitted in a Fox News op-ed that the MMR vaccine is “crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease,”^v the conflicting messages from senior government officials contribute to ongoing vaccine hesitancy.  

Vaccine hesitancy is one of several factors for parents to forego life-saving vaccines for easily preventable diseases such as measles. A May 2023 study highlights various social factors, such as misinformation, low trust, and limited perception of personal risk and susceptibility to measles, ^vi as major drivers of the decline in MMR vaccination rates. The Atlantic interviewed Peter (no last name provided), whose daughter passed away during the 2025 outbreak, which was the first measles-related death in the United States in a decade. Peter remarked that “[measles] is not so new for us” and “everybody has it” since his grandparents and parents had it. He also said that “the vaccination has stuff that we don’t trust.” ^vii As the vaccination rates and trust in vaccines decrease, children will become more susceptible to otherwise preventable diseases.  

Meanwhile, Dr. Ralph Abraham, the CDC’s Principal Deputy Director, recently said that the uptick in measles cases is “just the cost of doing business with our borders being somewhat porous for global and international travel.” He also emphasized the “personal freedom” of communities that choose to remain unvaccinated.^viii This attitude towards measles demonstrates a shift in focus from robust, proactive public health measures to a more reactive approach. Trust in the government will likely decline as the American public perceives low prioritization of preventable disease outbreaks. Continued measles outbreaks will likely disrupt childhood education, become more common throughout the country, and become deadlier.   

The current administration is reversing policy on vaccine safety through more than just public messaging, which is reflected in the data the CDC tracks in the United States. A recent study tracked how certain CDC databases had “unexplained pauses” in their updates. As of October 28^th, 2025, 38 (46%) of these databases were paused, and of these, 33 (87%) were related to vaccine monitoring. 34 of the paused databases were not updated within 6 months of the study. These long pauses jeopardize the evidence that public health officials, scientists, government officials, and medical professionals use when evaluating information. The lack of transparency around the pauses further contributes to the decline in public trust.  

In 2025, Secretary Kennedy unilaterally fired the entire board of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)^ix and reduced the recommended childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11 vaccines, citing concerns that children receive “too many” vaccines.^x These actions align with the administration’s overall indifference towards vaccines and public health. In response, 28 states rejected the revised guidelines and continue to follow recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.^xi As parents continue to forgo the MMR vaccine, we may someday see the return of mumps and rubella in the United States. Conflicting vaccine information from two respected scientific agencies will very likely deepen the public’s distrust regarding new recommendations.  

Secretary Kennedy’s restructuring and dismantling efforts of various health departments do not exist in a vacuum and align with President Trump’s transactional view of domestic and international politics. On January 22, 2026, the Trump Administration recently completed the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This withdrawal happened exactly one year after President Trump signed an executive order to initiate the withdrawal process. ^xii While the long-term effects remain to be seen, the WHO has now lost major funding for various initiatives to combat and monitor various diseases.  

These new public health policies also have negative financial and economic impacts during outbreaks. When children are sick with measles, parents often need to take time off work, pull children out of school, take them to the hospital or urgent care, spend money on medicine, and their jobs lose productivity. State and federal officials also spend valuable resources managing outbreaks, establishing contact tracing, utilizing diagnostics, and initiating emergency responses. ^xiii Researchers estimate the 2019 measles outbreak in Washington state, for example, cost approximately $3.4 million for 71 measles cases, illustrating how reactive response efforts to preventable diseases generate disproportionate financial strain. ^xiv   

South Carolina’s Department of Public Health has reported 977 cases of measles in Spartanburg County as of April 3^rd 2026,^xv Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services  reported 362 cases^xvi and Virginia confirmed five cases as of April 1^st, 2026. ^xvii As of April 2^nd 2026, the CDC reported 1,671 confirmed cases of measles within 33 different jurisdictions in the United States. ^xviii The actual number of measles cases are likely underreported due to a lag in reported cases, people not going to the clinic, and the CDC’s shutdown of many centralized health databases. ^xix As measles continues to spread throughout the country, the Trump Administration can take steps to ensure the public remains healthy, children are protected, and the economy remains stable. The administration, state, and local government officials should invest in measles-related diagnostic kits, training for healthcare workers, and temporarily increase MMR vaccine production. President Trump can also sign new executive orders directing artificial intelligence (AI) companies to shift efforts toward medical research and pharmaceutical production. This will ensure Americans remain healthy, make the U.S. competitive in global markets, and stimulate the economy with positive, tangible, and healthy outcomes. Scientists and public health officials should coordinate, establish, and maintain decentralized health databases to monitor disease reports and track data trends. ^xx This will reduce dependency on the federal government and enhance accessibility.  

Further Reading:  

¹ “Top CDC Official Says Measles Surge Is the ‘Cost of Doing Business’,”  Neurology Advisor  

² “Utah Measles Outbreak Response,” Utah Department of Health and Human Services 

³ “Measles, Vitamin A, and RFK Jr.’s About-Face,” Christopher Labos, McGill Office for Science and Society  

⁴ “West Texas children treated for vitamin A toxicity as medical disinformation spreads alongside measles outbreak” University of Nebraska Medical Center  

⁵ “ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.: Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us,” Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Fox News   

⁶ “Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated against Measles: A Systematic Review of the Social Determinants of Parental Perceptions on MMR Vaccine Hesitancy,” Novilla et al., 2023   

⁷ “His Daughter Was America’s First Measles Death in a Decade,” Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic  

⁸ “Members of CDC vaccine panel ousted by RFK Jr. say committee has ‘lost credibility’,” Mary Kekatos, ABC News  

⁹ “HHS announces unprecedented overhaul of US childhood vaccine schedule,” Stephanie Soucheray and Liz Szabo, CIDRAP  

¹⁰ “28 states reject the CDC’s new childhood vaccine schedule, KFF finds,” Austin Littrell, Medical Economics  

¹¹ “United States Completes WHO Withdrawal,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  

¹² “The Economic Impact of the Ongoing Measles Outbreak,” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health  

¹³ “Societal Costs of a Measles Outbreak,” Pike et al., 2022  

¹⁴ “2025 Measles Outbreak,” South Carolina Department of Public Health  

¹⁵ “About Measles,” Virginia Department of Health  

IN OTHER NEWS 

Chemical and Biological Weapons, Conflict, and WMD Programs  

• “The “Yellow Fever Plot”: Biological Warfare in the American Civil War,” Matthew D. Turner, Cureus  
• “CBWNet mourns the passing of Kathryn Nixdorff,” CBWNet 
• “Dr Delay: Apartheid-era chemical weapons head Wouter Basson to face disciplinary hearing,” Marianne Thamm, Daily Maverick  
• “Bad chemistry: Who synthesized the poison that killed Navalny and what a subsidiary of a German company has to do with it,” Andrey Zayakin, Roman Dobrokhotov, and Timur Olevsky, The Insider 
• “DHS Launches Massive ‘Less Lethal’ Chemical Weapons Buying Spree,” Sam Biddle, The Intercept  
• “Perimeter Systems, Inc. Launches as Global, End-to-End Biosecurity Infrastructure Platform to Address Escalating Global Biodefense Needs,” PR Newswire 
• “Iran’s other would-be WMD program lies in ruins following strikes by Israel and the US,” Linus Höller, Defense News 
• “Iran’s Pasteur medical research centre ‘heavily damaged’ in strike,” Lilia Sebouai, The Telegraph 
• “Iran Does Not Have a Chem-Bio Weapons Program,” Al Mauroni, Substack 
• “WHO senior official warns of unseen health threats amid Middle East war,” Jenny Lei Ravelo, Devex 
• “Syria’s Khan Sheikhoun marks ninth anniversary of 2017 chemical attack,” Sana 

U.S. Health Policy, Government, and Institutional Changes 

• “Trump administration drops court fight to cap NIH payments for research overhead costs,” Megan Molteni, StatNews 
• “Trump administration’s secrecy on health deals alarms experts, governments,” Adam Taylor, WP 
• “RFK Jr. moves to broaden CDC vaccine panel eligibility after federal judge found new members unqualified,” Joseph Choi, The Hill 
• “One year after HHS layoffs, a department in disarray,” Rebecca Pifer Parduhn, Healthcare Dive 
• “H.H.S. Takes a First Step Toward Restoring Vaccine Advisory Committee,” Apoorva Mandavilli, NY Times  
• “Massive budget cuts for US science proposed again by Trump administration,” Max Kozlov, Dan Garisto, and Edward Chen, Nature 
• “Trump Slashed Science Funding. Now the U.S. Could Face a Costly Brain Drain,” Vivienne Walt, NY Times 
• “CDC, health groups spent millions to buy ads on websites flagged for misinformation,” Liz Szabo, CIDRAP 

AI, Synthetic Biology and Emerging Risks 

• “AI can design and run thousands of lab experiments without human hands. Humanity isn’t ready for the new risks this brings to biology,” The Conversation 
• “Scientists invented a fake disease. AI told people it was real,” Chris Stokel-Walker, Nature 

Public Health, COVID, and Epidemiology  

• “Long Covid Predicted to Cost OECD Economies $135 Billion a Year,” Ashleigh Furlong, Bloomberg 
• “CDC delays publishing report showing covid vaccine benefits,” Lena H. Sun, WP 
• “Medical supplies are stuck in Dubai, as clinics around the world face shortages,” Fatma Tanis, NPR 

Podcasts

•  “The Chemists’ Wars: The Origin Story of Chemistry, Episode 2,” American Chemical Society.  
• “#241 – AI designs genomes from scratch & outperforms virologists at lab work. Dr Richard Moulange asks: what could go wrong?” Robert Wiblin, 80000 Hours 

Thirty Years of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Histories, Achievements, Challenges 

The new open-access volume, Thirty Years of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Histories, Achievements, and Challenges, provides a timely assessment of one of the most successful arms control regimes, the Chemical Weapons Convention, while highlighting growing stressors relevant to biodefense. The CWC oversaw the verified destruction of the most declared stockpiles of chemical weapons in 2023 and established a robust inspection system through its implementation body – the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) based in The Hague, Netherlands.  

To mark the 30^th anniversary of the CWC, contributors organized a conference Thirty Years of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Histories, Achievements, Challenges,” held in Berlin on October 5-6, 2023. This meeting aimed to obtain fresh perspectives from various stakeholders on where we are regarding the implementation of the CWC. It also reflected on the history and achievements of the CWC over the past thirty years and explored existing and future challenges as the world prepares for new geopolitical and security environments amid ongoing challenges in volatile regions such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In particular, the conference also addressed the question of whether the CWC can serve as a model for the abolition of nuclear weapons.  

NEW: Managing the Challenges of North Korean Nuclear/Missile Threats 

From HKS Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs: “On April 13, join us in welcoming Vann H. Van Diepen, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.”

“This presentation will examine the most strategically significant advances in North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities and assess how these developments are reshaping Pyongyang’s doctrine, including a potential shift from a retaliatory deterrent toward a more integrated warfighting posture and a lowered threshold for use under a “pre-empting pre-emption” logic. It will explore the range of strategic and operational options these capabilities enable, as well as the risks of escalation stemming from the regime’s designation of South Korea as the “most hostile state.” Situating these dynamics within the broader geopolitical landscape, the talk will analyze how deepening ties with Russia and shifting relations with China may be influencing North Korea’s force development and strategic calculus. It will conclude with an evaluation of key policy alternatives—including deterrence adaptations, arms control and “freeze” proposals, and changes to the regional security architecture—to address the evolving nuclear and missile challenge.”

This hybrid event will take place on Monday, April 13 from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: Webinar – Balancing Research Security and Open Science  

From the Council of Canadian Academies: “In October 2025, the Council of Canadian Academies published their report, Balancing Research Security and Open Science. The report, commissioned by the Public Health Agency of Canada in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Canada, offers an independent assessment of national and foreign efforts to promote research security and highlights potential strategies to safeguard national interests while preserving the openness that drives discovery, innovation, and prosperity. 

The Centre for Biosecurity is hosting a webinar where members of the Expert Panel on Sensitive Research of Concern are invited to provide an overview of their findings, including measures to identify sensitive research, determine when it is of concern, and how to safeguard it throughout the phases of the research process.” 

The English session will be held on April 15 at 2:00 PM EDT. The French session will be held on April 22 at 11:00 AM EDT. Learn more and register here. 

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

2026 Preparedness Summit, “Protecting Our Communities: State and Local Preparedness in Action.” 

From the Preparedness Summit: “This event spotlights the need for increased self-reliance on state and local partnerships amid a changing federal policy and budget landscape. This conference will be the beginning of an ongoing national conversation focusing on the evolution of the public health preparedness system.” 

This virtual event will be held from April 13-16. Learn more and register here. 

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026): Laboratory Incidents & Deliberate Biothreats 

From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “This table-top simulation exercise aims to enhance inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary preparedness for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity (LBB) and deliberate biothreat events (DBE). Through lectures, discussions, and structured, scenario-driven exercises, participants will explore decision-making to detect, risk-assess, and manage high-consequence biological incidents under conditions of incomplete information and unfolding events. Participants will collaborate in teams, building on expert perspectives to address issues in surveillance, diagnostics, public health response, security assessment, and risk communication.” 

This in-person event will be held from August 27-28. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: AIxBiosecurity Summer Fellowship 2026 

From ERA: “ERA, in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, is launching our first 10-week, full-time AIxBiosecurity research fellowship dedicated to tackling biosecurity risks amplified by recent advances in frontier AI capabilities. This fully funded programme equips researchers to investigate ways to reduce extreme risks from engineered and natural biological threats amid rapidly advancing biotechnology and emerging AI capabilities. After a successful 2 month pilot programme, we’re excited to continue working with some of the top talent in AI and Biosecurity.” 

Applications for the fellowship are now open, and the deadline to apply is April 27. Learn more and apply here.  

NEW: Developing a Maximum Containment Laboratory: BSL-4 Biosafety and Biosecurity Considerations – A Webinar 

From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Maximum containment laboratories, or BSL-4 labs, provide unique capacity for work on high consequence infectious disease (HCID) pathogens. To enhance national outbreak readiness, Singapore has been strengthening laboratory capability to include a maximum containment laboratory. During this webinar, Adj A/Prof Gladys Tan will share insights from the journey to develop such a lab and discuss biosafety and biosecurity risks that need to be recognized and mitigated.” 

This virtual event will be held on May 7 from 5:30-6:30 PM Singapore Time (GMT +08:00). Learn more and register here. 

Bio-Leadership Summit (BLISS) – Submit your Nominations 

From the Hoover Institution: “Bio-Strategies & Leadership at the Hoover Institution will convene ~300 action-oriented leaders at Stanford for the inaugural Bio Leadership Summit, a one-day event designed to elevate biotechnology culturally and politically, and to speak frankly regarding what biotech leadership looks like across the most important domains of strategic impact. We are looking for leaders—up and coming or established, with or without a biotechnology background—who have a track record of turning ideas into outcomes to participate.” 

The summit will occur on April 14. Learn more and submit your nominations here. 

Council on Strategic Risks Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship – Call for Applications 

From CSR: “The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) is announcing an open call for applications for our 2026 Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp, a unique fellowship opportunity that we will host in the United States. 

Whether arising naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize infectious diseases, biological threats pose grave risks to international security and stability. This is a highly dynamic time for biological risks, as we are witnessing an incredible pace of technological change against the backdrop of a shifting, dangerous global security landscape. Biological risks are as concerning as ever—and we are entering a new era in terms of the tools and approaches available to mitigate them. Informed by the unique experiences of its staff and years of collaboration across its expert networks, CSR’s work related to biological threats ties to a bold vision: making biological weapons the first category of weapons of mass destruction to be rendered obsolete in terms of their mass-destruction potential; and preventing any future infectious disease outbreaks from reaching pandemic scale. To achieve this goal, CSR is continuing to develop and cultivate creative solutions to address biological threats, including ways countries can effectively prepare for them.” 

Applications are due on April 24. Learn more and apply here. 

Strengthening Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness Through Intergenerational Dialogue – Applications Open  

From the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI): “As breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology outpace global governance, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and The Elders are launching a new intergenerational initiative to generate the ideas and leadership needed for a safer future against biological threats. 

NTI and The Elders are pleased to invite applications for a high-level Intergenerational Dialogue that will focus on emerging technologies, pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response (PPR), and global biosecurity governance. This dialogue will bring together early career professionals with senior global leaders to explore how technological innovation can strengthen health security while reducing catastrophic biological risks. 

Building on NTI’s Next Generation for Biosecurity project and The Elders’ leadership on pandemic prevention and global cooperation, this initiative will foster candid exchange across generations, elevate diverse perspectives, and generate forward-looking ideas to inform global advocacy and policy priorities.” 

The application deadline is Sunday, May 3 at 11:59 PM ET. Learn more and apply here. 

The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats – Call for Abstracts 

From INTERPOL: “The 6th Plenary Meeting of the Global Congress on Chemical Security & Emerging Threats will be in Panama City from 21-24 Sept 2026. The event brings together governments, industry, academia, & international orgs to strengthen chem security through collaboration & action. By providing a platform for multi-sector global cooperation and partnership, the Global Congress enables members to build relationships, exchange expertise, share important information on emerging threats and innovative best practices, and enhance capabilities.” 

The call for abstracts is now open, and the applications are due by May 15. Learn more about the conference here and apply here. 

Bio-attribution Challenge 

From DARPA: “Translate your bio-attribution research into national security impact. In an era of unprecedented biological data generation, the ability to rapidly determine the origin of a biological event — whether natural, accidental, or intentional — is a critical component of national security and public health. To meet the challenge of finding the “needle in a haystack” within this data deluge, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Bio-Attribution Challenge. 

This virtual competition calls on innovators to develop a new generation of tools capable of analyzing petabyte-scale datasets in near real-time, far exceeding the capacity of current systems. The goal is to revolutionize how we identify and trace the source of biological sequences, ensuring a faster, more effective response to potential threats. Register for virtual competition to win a share of $180,000 in Prizes.” 

The deadline to register is June 15. Learn more and register here. 

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights the growing public health risks posed by vaccine hesitancy, highlighted by the ongoing measles outbreaks and shifting federal policies that may undermine trust in scientific institutions. It also spotlights global leadership in biodefense, with a GMU PhD student selected as the U.S. Head Delegate to Y20 USA 2026.  

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?

The George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government will host an upcoming Master’s in Biodefense information session:  

• Friday, April 3 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT) 

The Return of Measles: Vaccine Hesitancy and the Erosion of U.S. Public Health  

By: Cameron Daniel Benton 

As globalization increases and societies becomes more interconnected, developing and maintaining strong public health measures is more vital than ever. However, previously eradicated diseases are reemerging in the United States due to vaccine hesitancy and shifting policies under the current presidential administration. The 2025 measles outbreak in West Texas serves as a warning sign of what may follow if the nation continues to neglect preventable diseases. The 2025 West Texas measles outbreak has spread to neighboring states, Mexico, and Canadaⁱ and represents a risk to immunocompromised individuals and, in rare cases, to vaccinated individuals through breakthrough infections. ⁱⁱ 

The Trump Administration is actively pivoting away from established, scientific-based evidence and towards dubious alternatives. This shift has damaging implications for local communities that rely on scientific guidance from medical professionals. For example, during the 2025 measles outbreak, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, initially downplayed the severity of the crisis, misleadingly suggested that vitamin A prevents measles, and directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to distribute additional vitamin A to the Texas Department of Health. ⁱⁱⁱ As a result, some children were hospitalized with both vitamin A toxicity and measles.^iv Although Secretary Kennedy later admitted in a Fox News op-ed that the MMR vaccine is “crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease,”^v the conflicting messages from senior government officials contribute to ongoing vaccine hesitancy.  

Vaccine hesitancy is one of several factors for parents to forego life-saving vaccines for easily preventable diseases such as measles. A May 2023 study highlights various social factors, such as misinformation, low trust, and limited perception of personal risk and susceptibility to measles, ^vi as major drivers of the decline in MMR vaccination rates. The Atlantic interviewed Peter (no last name provided), whose daughter passed away during the 2025 outbreak, which was the first measles-related death in the United States in a decade. Peter remarked that “[measles] is not so new for us” and “everybody has it” since his grandparents and parents had it. He also said that “the vaccination has stuff that we don’t trust.” ^vii As the vaccination rates and trust in vaccines decrease, children will become more susceptible to otherwise preventable diseases.  

Meanwhile, Dr. Ralph Abraham, the CDC’s Principal Deputy Director, recently said that the uptick in measles cases is “just the cost of doing business with our borders being somewhat porous for global and international travel.” He also emphasized the “personal freedom” of communities that choose to remain unvaccinated.^viii This attitude towards measles demonstrates a shift in focus from robust, proactive public health measures to a more reactive approach. Trust in the government will likely decline as the American public perceives low prioritization of preventable disease outbreaks. Continued measles outbreaks will likely disrupt childhood education, become more common throughout the country, and become deadlier.   

The current administration is reversing policy on vaccine safety through more than just public messaging, which is reflected in the data the CDC tracks in the United States. A recent study tracked how certain CDC databases had “unexplained pauses” in their updates. As of October 28^th, 2025, 38 (46%) of these databases were paused, and of these, 33 (87%) were related to vaccine monitoring. 34 of the paused databases were not updated within 6 months of the study. These long pauses jeopardize the evidence that public health officials, scientists, government officials, and medical professionals use when evaluating information. The lack of transparency around the pauses further contributes to the decline in public trust.  

In 2025, Secretary Kennedy unilaterally fired the entire board of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)^ix and reduced the recommended childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11 vaccines, citing concerns that children receive “too many” vaccines.^x These actions align with the administration’s overall indifference towards vaccines and public health. In response, 28 states rejected the revised guidelines and continue to follow recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.^xi As parents continue to forgo the MMR vaccine, we may someday see the return of mumps and rubella in the United States. Conflicting vaccine information from two respected scientific agencies will very likely deepen the public’s distrust regarding new recommendations.  

Secretary Kennedy’s restructuring and dismantling efforts of various health departments do not exist in a vacuum and align with President Trump’s transactional view of domestic and international politics. On January 22, 2026, the Trump Administration recently completed the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This withdrawal happened exactly one year after President Trump signed an executive order to initiate the withdrawal process. ^xii While the long-term effects remain to be seen, the WHO has now lost major funding for various initiatives to combat and monitor various diseases.  

These new public health policies also have negative financial and economic impacts during outbreaks. When children are sick with measles, parents often need to take time off work, pull children out of school, take them to the hospital or urgent care, spend money on medicine, and their jobs lose productivity. State and federal officials also spend valuable resources managing outbreaks, establishing contact tracing, utilizing diagnostics, and initiating emergency responses. ^xiii Researchers estimate the 2019 measles outbreak in Washington state, for example, cost approximately $3.4 million for 71 measles cases, illustrating how reactive response efforts to preventable diseases generate disproportionate financial strain. ^xiv   

South Carolina’s Department of Public Health has reported 977 cases of measles in Spartanburg County as of April 3^rd 2026,^xv Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services  reported 362 cases^xvi and Virginia confirmed five cases as of April 1^st, 2026. ^xvii As of April 2^nd 2026, the CDC reported 1,671 confirmed cases of measles within 33 different jurisdictions in the United States. ^xviii The actual number of measles cases are likely underreported due to a lag in reported cases, people not going to the clinic, and the CDC’s shutdown of many centralized health databases. ^xix As measles continues to spread throughout the country, the Trump Administration can take steps to ensure the public remains healthy, children are protected, and the economy remains stable. The administration, state, and local government officials should invest in measles-related diagnostic kits, training for healthcare workers, and temporarily increase MMR vaccine production. President Trump can also sign new executive orders directing artificial intelligence (AI) companies to shift efforts toward medical research and pharmaceutical production. This will ensure Americans remain healthy, make the U.S. competitive in global markets, and stimulate the economy with positive, tangible, and healthy outcomes. Scientists and public health officials should coordinate, establish, and maintain decentralized health databases to monitor disease reports and track data trends. ^xx This will reduce dependency on the federal government and enhance accessibility.  

Further Reading:  

¹ “Top CDC Official Says Measles Surge Is the ‘Cost of Doing Business’,”  Neurology Advisor  

² “Utah Measles Outbreak Response,” Utah Department of Health and Human Services 

³ “Measles, Vitamin A, and RFK Jr.’s About-Face,” Christopher Labos, McGill Office for Science and Society  

⁴ “West Texas children treated for vitamin A toxicity as medical disinformation spreads alongside measles outbreak” University of Nebraska Medical Center  

⁵ “ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.: Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us,” Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Fox News   

⁶ “Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated against Measles: A Systematic Review of the Social Determinants of Parental Perceptions on MMR Vaccine Hesitancy,” Novilla et al., 2023   

⁷ “His Daughter Was America’s First Measles Death in a Decade,” Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic  

⁸ “Members of CDC vaccine panel ousted by RFK Jr. say committee has ‘lost credibility’,” Mary Kekatos, ABC News  

⁹ “HHS announces unprecedented overhaul of US childhood vaccine schedule,” Stephanie Soucheray and Liz Szabo, CIDRAP  

¹⁰ “28 states reject the CDC’s new childhood vaccine schedule, KFF finds,” Austin Littrell, Medical Economics  

¹¹ “United States Completes WHO Withdrawal,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  

¹² “The Economic Impact of the Ongoing Measles Outbreak,” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health  

¹³ “Societal Costs of a Measles Outbreak,” Pike et al., 2022  

¹⁴ “2025 Measles Outbreak,” South Carolina Department of Public Health  

¹⁵ “About Measles,” Virginia Department of Health  

GMU Biodefense PhD Student Selected as U.S. Head Delegate to Y20 USA 2026 

George Mason University continues to foster global leadership and policy innovation through its research community. Carmen Shaw, a PhD student in Biodefense, has been selected as the U.S. Head Delegate to the G20 Youth Summit (Y20) in Washington DC, United States in August 2026. She will help lead youth engagement on food security and global health alongside her international peers to develop a final communiqué report that will be delivered to G20 leaders. This recognition highlights GMU’s role in preparing the next generation of leaders addressing complex global challenges.  

IN OTHER NEWS 

Public Health, Pandemic Preparedness, and Biosecurity 

• “What can biosecurity learn from cybersecurity? A lot.” Filippa Lentzos, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 
• “WHO Member States agree to extend negotiations on key annex to the Pandemic Agreement,” World Health Organization 
• “INTERCEPTOR expands global network with five new partners to boost pandemic preparedness,” Interceptor 
• “The Horrors That Could Lie Ahead if Vaccines Vanish,” Lucas Waldron and Patricia Callahan, ProPublica 

Health Systems Disruptions & Scientific Infrastructure 

• “C.D.C. Pauses Testing for Rabies and Pox Viruses,” Apoorva Mandavilli, NY Times 
• “Sources: White House to propose 20 percent cut to NIH funding,” Ariel Cohen, Roll Call 
• “Iran Faces Major Assault as Historic Medical Research Hub Severely Damaged,” Daisy Moraa, The Kenya Times 

Conflict, Military, and Biochemical Threats 

• “Italian Christmas meal tragedy turns into murder inquiry,” Laura Gozzi, BBC 
• “Army wants better, faster defenses against chemical and biological threats,” Nick Wakeman, Washington Technology 
• “Water wars: the final escalation?” Verity Bowman, The Telegraph 
• “Israel Strikes Tehran Pharmaceutical Plant, Claiming Military Link,” Parin Behrooz and Ephrat Livni, NY Times 

NEW: 2026 Preparedness Summit, “Protecting Our Communities: State and Local Preparedness in Action.” 

From the Preparedness Summit: “This event spotlights the need for increased self-reliance on state and local partnerships amid a changing federal policy and budget landscape. This conference will be the beginning of an ongoing national conversation focusing on the evolution of the public health preparedness system.” 

This virtual event will be held from April 13-16. Learn more and register here. 

Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) 2026 Pre-Conference Workshop: Communications Skills that Transform Science into Action 

From CUGH: “In today’s complex information landscape, great research needs more than publication—it requires communication. This interactive workshop, led by the CUGH Research Committee, the Pulitzer Center, and Global Health NOW, equips global health scientists, researchers, and students with practical skills to amplify their work and translate evidence into impact. Panel discussions among leading journalists, communicators, and academics will deepen participants’ understanding of current communication challenges. Workshops will teach attendees how to craft clear, compelling messages targeting policymakers, practitioners, and the public via op-eds, media interviews, social media, podcasts, newsletters, etc. Hands-on exercises, immediate feedback, and real-world examples will boost attendees’ ability to influence global health dialogue, policy, and action. Transform your research into a story that matters.” 

This event will be held on April 9 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.  

Game Changers: Cures for 21^st Century Biological Threats 

From the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council: “The Commission will host its latest meeting, focused on assessing strategies for strengthening biodefense science and technology. They will conceptualize the successes of and challenges facing biodefense technology innovators in an ever-changing threat environment.  

Biotechnology has accelerated at a rapid pace, driven in part by federal investment and policy. Advances in biological sciences create new opportunities for addressing biological events, and the public and private sectors at all levels have a role to play in bolstering these efforts. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the biological threat to food and agriculture, and the international perspective on the threat. The discussions will also touch upon the state of biotechnology innovation and federal regulation, research and development activities.” 

This event will be hybrid (in-person and online) and will be held on Friday, April 10, at 9:00 AM ET. Learn more and register here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026): Laboratory Incidents & Deliberate Biothreats 

From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “This table-top simulation exercise aims to enhance inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary preparedness for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity (LBB) and deliberate biothreat events (DBE). Through lectures, discussions, and structured, scenario-driven exercises, participants will explore decision-making to detect, risk-assess, and manage high-consequence biological incidents under conditions of incomplete information and unfolding events. Participants will collaborate in teams, building on expert perspectives to address issues in surveillance, diagnostics, public health response, security assessment, and risk communication.” 

This in-person event will be held from August 27-28. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats – Call for Abstracts 

From INTERPOL: “The 6th Plenary Meeting of the Global Congress on Chemical Security & Emerging Threats will be in Panama City from 21-24 Sept 2026. The event brings together governments, industry, academia, & international orgs to strengthen chem security through collaboration & action. By providing a platform for multi-sector global cooperation and partnership, the Global Congress enables members to build relationships, exchange expertise, share important information on emerging threats and innovative best practices, and enhance capabilities.” 

The call for abstracts is now open, and the applications are due by May 15. Learn more about the conference here and apply here. 

Bio-Leadership Summit (BLISS) – Submit your Nominations 

From the Hoover Institution: “Bio-Strategies & Leadership at the Hoover Institution will convene ~300 action-oriented leaders at Stanford for the inaugural Bio Leadership Summit, a one-day event designed to elevate biotechnology culturally and politically, and to speak frankly regarding what biotech leadership looks like across the most important domains of strategic impact. We are looking for leaders—up and coming or established, with or without a biotechnology background—who have a track record of turning ideas into outcomes to participate.” 

The summit will occur on April 14. Learn more and submit your nominations here. 

Council on Strategic Risks Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship – Call for Applications 

From CSR: “The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) is announcing an open call for applications for our 2026 Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp, a unique fellowship opportunity that we will host in the United States. 

Whether arising naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize infectious diseases, biological threats pose grave risks to international security and stability. This is a highly dynamic time for biological risks, as we are witnessing an incredible pace of technological change against the backdrop of a shifting, dangerous global security landscape. Biological risks are as concerning as ever—and we are entering a new era in terms of the tools and approaches available to mitigate them. Informed by the unique experiences of its staff and years of collaboration across its expert networks, CSR’s work related to biological threats ties to a bold vision: making biological weapons the first category of weapons of mass destruction to be rendered obsolete in terms of their mass-destruction potential; and preventing any future infectious disease outbreaks from reaching pandemic scale. To achieve this goal, CSR is continuing to develop and cultivate creative solutions to address biological threats, including ways countries can effectively prepare for them.” 

Applications are due on April 24. Learn more and apply here. 

Strengthening Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness Through Intergenerational Dialogue – Applications Open  

From the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI): “As breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology outpace global governance, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and The Elders are launching a new intergenerational initiative to generate the ideas and leadership needed for a safer future against biological threats. 

NTI and The Elders are pleased to invite applications for a high-level Intergenerational Dialogue that will focus on emerging technologies, pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response (PPR), and global biosecurity governance. This dialogue will bring together early career professionals with senior global leaders to explore how technological innovation can strengthen health security while reducing catastrophic biological risks. 

Building on NTI’s Next Generation for Biosecurity project and The Elders’ leadership on pandemic prevention and global cooperation, this initiative will foster candid exchange across generations, elevate diverse perspectives, and generate forward-looking ideas to inform global advocacy and policy priorities.” 

The application deadline is Sunday, May 3 at 11:59 PM ET. Learn more and apply here. 

Bio-attribution Challenge 

From DARPA: “Translate your bio-attribution research into national security impact. In an era of unprecedented biological data generation, the ability to rapidly determine the origin of a biological event — whether natural, accidental, or intentional — is a critical component of national security and public health. To meet the challenge of finding the “needle in a haystack” within this data deluge, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Bio-Attribution Challenge. 

This virtual competition calls on innovators to develop a new generation of tools capable of analyzing petabyte-scale datasets in near real-time, far exceeding the capacity of current systems. The goal is to revolutionize how we identify and trace the source of biological sequences, ensuring a faster, more effective response to potential threats. Register for virtual competition to win a share of $180,000 in Prizes.” 

The deadline to register is June 15. Learn more and register here. 

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights emerging research and policy developments in biodefense, including governance challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies like AI, and new insights into global terrorism dynamics linked to geopolitical conflict. We also spotlight achievements from the George Mason University community and share opportunities for those interested in advancing their careers in biodefense.  

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?

The George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government will host an upcoming Master’s in Biodefense information session:  

• Friday, April 3 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT) 

GMU Researchers Recognized for Innovation 

George Mason University (GMU), a university that has been recognized consistently for its innovation and entrepreneurship, has been named to the top 100 U.S. universities for patents. This spring, the National Academy of Inventors ranked George Mason No. 92 on its list for patents granted during 2025.  In 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued 14 utility patents to George Mason inventors for methods to improve virtual reality (VR) navigation, traffic congestion, and wound healing.  George Mason researchers Monique L. van Hoek and Barney M. Bishop of the College of Science were awarded a patent for their work with antimicrobial peptides inspired by the Komodo dragon’s natural defenses. The duo has been collaborating since 2009 to study the peptides and their activity against important bacterial pathogens. These synthetic peptides represent a breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant infections.  

Preventing Biological Weapons Proliferation: Operational Applications of Emerging Technologies 

In a new publication, George Mason University Biodefense alumni, Dr. Miranda Smith, along with Kolja Brockmann and Mark Bromley, review how advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are reshaping key regime functions, including how biological research and development, data and materials are managed. Although technologies such as AI and DLT pose potential risks in the life sciences, they also provide benefits such as the ability to support effective laboratory oversight, strengthen export controls, and facilitate national transparency mechanisms. Their overall impact will depend largely on states governance of these technologies, including how they manage data integrity, oversight, interoperability, and equitable access.  

Further Reading:  

• “Biotechnology in the Era of Omni-Use: Technologies Without Borders and the Governance Challenges They Present,” Kiwako Tanaka, Sasakawa Peace Foundation 
• “Measures to strengthen international biosafety and biosecurity practices,” Decroly et al., PLOS Biology 
• “Beyond Sequence Similarity: Toward Function-Based Screening of Nucleic Acid Synthesis,” Abel et al., SSRN  
• “Developing a Standard Definition for Sequences of Concern,” Alexanian et al., BioRxiv 

Schar School Professor Named Chair of Counterterrorism Editorial Board at Homeland Security Magazine  

Homeland Security Today, a premier nonprofit news outlet, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mahmut Cengiz, a current Associate Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, as Chair of the Counterterrorism Editorial Board! Dr. Cengiz, along with the others on the Editorial Board, will contribute expert analysis, original research, and strategic insight to inform policymakers across the field of homeland security and help bridge the gap between policy and practice.  

Global Terrorism Spillover of the U.S.-Israel-Iran Conflict 

Dr. Mahmut Cengiz, along with Sean Dilallo, a graduate student in GMU’s International Security program, recently published a paper examining how sustained U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran may have led to a spillover effect, increasing terrorist incidents in other Western countries. Reported attacks have targeted synagogues, Jewish institutions such as schools, and U.S. diplomatic facilities – primarily in Europe and Canada. These incidents often appear coordinated and may be linked to proxy networks, though they have not consistently aimed to cause mass casualties. In the United States, the pattern differs, with incidents reflecting more decentralized, lone-actor terrorism. These individuals appear to be inspired by a mix of pro-Iranian sentiment and ISIS-inspired radicalization. Overall, the authors argue that the return of U.S. combat operations in the Middle East underscores a complex and evolving threat environment, coinciding with a rise of inspired attacks across North America and Europe. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of community involvement in counterterrorism efforts. Early detection of potential threats often depends on public awareness and reporting, particularly given the limits of law enforcement resources and authority. Building and maintaining trust between security agencies and local communities will be essential moving forward.  

Further Reading: 

• “I Spent Two Decades Securing Nuclear Materials. Here’s What It Would Take to Get Iran’s.” Andrew Weber, NY Times 
• “The Threat No One is Talking About in Iran,” Cassidy Nelson, RUSI 
• “Does Iran have a non-conventional strategic weapon option beyond nukes?” Dan Kaszeta, Warsight 

IN OTHER NEWS 

Biodefense, Threat Reduction, and Security 

• “PPE for Biotoxin Response,” EMBRACE Biotoxin Task Force 
• “Strengthening Biological Threat Reduction Capabilities Across Africa Fellowship Announcement,” Brown University School of Public Health  
• “Edward You Protected America From Bioterror,” Edward You, Lisa Margonelli, Issues 
• “Did the British unleash biological warfare against Washington’s troops?” Sy Boles, The Harvard Gazette 

Public Health Systems and U.S. Policy 

• “Demoralized CDC Workforce Reels From Year of Firings, Funding Cuts, and a Shooting,” Jess Mador, KFF Health News  
• “Trump delays nominating new CDC director,” Erika Edwards, NBC News 
• “Seven months later, the government still hasn’t fixed CDC’s shot-up windows,” Mike Stobbe, AP News 
• “The United States is driving a public health emergency of international concern,” Matthew Herder, Roojin Habibi, Fatima Hassan, and Andrew Hill, BMJ  
• “Trump to Delay Nominating New C.D.C. Director,” Apoorva Mandavilli and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, NY Times 

Outbreaks, Surveillance and Bioincidents  

• “Russian authorities are culling livestock over a mysterious disease. Farmers are protesting, saying their animals don’t look sick.” Alexander Kryazhev, Meduza 
• “She uncovered a terrifying lab hidden in California, with alleged ties to China,” Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times 
• “£1 billion invested in health protection as new Pandemic Strategy published,” Cabinet Office, Department of Health and Social Care, UK Health Security Agency, Sharon Hodgson MP, Dan Jarvis MBE MP, and The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, GOV.UK 

NEW: The AI Debates – Did an LLM Write This?  

From the Council on Strategic Risks: “The Converging Risks Lab presents the AI Debates. Does the cognitive offloading that results from using AI tools, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, degrade critical thinking skills? And if it does, what are the consequences for the national security workforce, on whose clarity of thinking the United States specifically depends? 

This debate series aims to wrestle with that essential question made more urgent as agencies and departments, notably the Department of Defense and the Department of State, accelerate the diffusion of AI tools throughout their workforces. Over the introductory panel and three debates, this series will identify AI risks for three specific subsets of the national security workforce: active-duty servicemembers, intelligence analysts, and defense contractors.” 

The introductory panel will be held virtually on April 1 at 12:00 PM EDT. Learn more and register here.  

NEW: Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) 2026 Pre-Conference Workshop: Communications Skills that Transform Science into Action 

From CUGH: “In today’s complex information landscape, great research needs more than publication—it requires communication. This interactive workshop, led by the CUGH Research Committee, the Pulitzer Center, and Global Health NOW, equips global health scientists, researchers, and students with practical skills to amplify their work and translate evidence into impact. Panel discussions among leading journalists, communicators, and academics will deepen participants’ understanding of current communication challenges. Workshops will teach attendees how to craft clear, compelling messages targeting policymakers, practitioners, and the public via op-eds, media interviews, social media, podcasts, newsletters, etc. Hands-on exercises, immediate feedback, and real-world examples will boost attendees’ ability to influence global health dialogue, policy, and action. Transform your research into a story that matters.” 

This event will be held on April 9 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.  

NEW: Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026): Laboratory Incidents & Deliberate Biothreats 

From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “This table-top simulation exercise aims to enhance inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary preparedness for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity (LBB) and deliberate biothreat events (DBE). Through lectures, discussions, and structured, scenario-driven exercises, participants will explore decision-making to detect, risk-assess, and manage high-consequence biological incidents under conditions of incomplete information and unfolding events. Participants will collaborate in teams, building on expert perspectives to address issues in surveillance, diagnostics, public health response, security assessment, and risk communication.” 

This in-person event will be held from August 27-28. Learn more and register here. 

Game Changers: Cures for 21^st Century Biological Threats 

From the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council: “The Commission will host its latest meeting, focused on assessing strategies for strengthening biodefense science and technology. They will conceptualize the successes of and challenges facing biodefense technology innovators in an ever-changing threat environment.  

Biotechnology has accelerated at a rapid pace, driven in part by federal investment and policy. Advances in biological sciences create new opportunities for addressing biological events, and the public and private sectors at all levels have a role to play in bolstering these efforts. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the biological threat to food and agriculture, and the international perspective on the threat. The discussions will also touch upon the state of biotechnology innovation and federal regulation, research and development activities.” 

This event will be hybrid (in-person and online) and will be held on Friday, April 10, at 9:00 AM ET. Learn more and register here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

Bio-Leadership Summit (BLISS) – Submit your Nominations 

From the Hoover Institution: “Bio-Strategies & Leadership at the Hoover Institution will convene ~300 action-oriented leaders at Stanford for the inaugural Bio Leadership Summit, a one-day event designed to elevate biotechnology culturally and politically, and to speak frankly regarding what biotech leadership looks like across the most important domains of strategic impact. We are looking for leaders—up and coming or established, with or without a biotechnology background—who have a track record of turning ideas into outcomes to participate.” 

The summit will occur on April 14. Learn more and submit your nominations here. 

Council on Strategic Risks Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship – Call for Applications 

From CSR: “The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) is announcing an open call for applications for our 2026 Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp, a unique fellowship opportunity that we will host in the United States. 

Whether arising naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize infectious diseases, biological threats pose grave risks to international security and stability. This is a highly dynamic time for biological risks, as we are witnessing an incredible pace of technological change against the backdrop of a shifting, dangerous global security landscape. Biological risks are as concerning as ever—and we are entering a new era in terms of the tools and approaches available to mitigate them. Informed by the unique experiences of its staff and years of collaboration across its expert networks, CSR’s work related to biological threats ties to a bold vision: making biological weapons the first category of weapons of mass destruction to be rendered obsolete in terms of their mass-destruction potential; and preventing any future infectious disease outbreaks from reaching pandemic scale. To achieve this goal, CSR is continuing to develop and cultivate creative solutions to address biological threats, including ways countries can effectively prepare for them.” 

Applications are due on April 24. Learn more and apply here. 

Bio-attribution Challenge 

From DARPA: “Translate your bio-attribution research into national security impact. In an era of unprecedented biological data generation, the ability to rapidly determine the origin of a biological event — whether natural, accidental, or intentional — is a critical component of national security and public health. To meet the challenge of finding the “needle in a haystack” within this data deluge, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Bio-Attribution Challenge. 

This virtual competition calls on innovators to develop a new generation of tools capable of analyzing petabyte-scale datasets in near real-time, far exceeding the capacity of current systems. The goal is to revolutionize how we identify and trace the source of biological sequences, ensuring a faster, more effective response to potential threats. Register for virtual competition to win a share of $180,000 in Prizes.” 

The deadline to register is June 15. Learn more and register here. 

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights developments in biosecurity, emerging infectious diseases, and global health policy, including advances in chemical weapons destruction efforts, the spread of H5N1 among marine mammals, and new research and governance challenges at the intersection of AI and biotechnology.  

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?

The George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government will host an upcoming Master’s in Biodefense information session:  

• Friday, April 3 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT) 

Georgetown to Host Upcoming Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Disease Simulation in the DMV Area 

Georgetown University’s Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases (BHTA) program will be hosting a full-day science event called “Operation Outbreak: A Live Epidemic Simulation in the DC Metro Area,” on Friday, March 27 from 9 AM to 5 PM EDT, which will include an outbreak simulation, as part of a research study investigating societal resilience in regional outbreak response. The simulation requires 250 students and faculty from the DMV area to take on realistic societal roleplays in sectors including government, public health, healthcare, biomedical research, finance, commerce, media and the general population – to make time-sensitive decisions in outbreak scenarios. Sign up as a participant or as a virtual attendee.  

Destruction of Assad-Era Chemical Weapons in Syria Advances 

On March 18, 2026, Syria and its partners announced the launch of a new initiative, the Breadth of Freedom Task Force, to coordinate support for Syrian efforts to locate, secure, and safely and verifiably destroy chemical weapons left over from the Assad era. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has identified 100 sites that need to be inspected given potential links to the former chemical weapons program. As Biodefense Program director Dr. Gregory Koblentz has written, “Chemical weapons that have not been fully and properly accounted for in Syria include 300 metric tons of the blister agent sulfur mustard, tens of tons of precursors for nerve agents such as sarin, and hundreds to thousands of chemical munitions that could be used to deliver these agents.”  Syria faces a number of challenges in addressing these issues and bringing the country into compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) including “the secrecy of Assad’s defunct chemical program, the lack of institutional memory, weak national capacities, and the dangers posed by landmines and remnants of war.” The new Task Force, composed of Canada, France, Germany, Qatar, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Syria will solicit and provide contributions to build Syria’s national capacity, in coordination with the OPCW, by delivering training, equipment, and support for chemical weapon verification and destruction operations. The Task Force met in Ankara in February to assess the operational, technical and institutional gaps in Syria’s capacity to implement these operations and structure the support packages to be provided to Syria. For example, Turkiye “has been carrying out humanitarian demining activities in various parts of Syria, contributing to the disposal of unexploded ordnance as well as providing active political, technical and logistical support within the framework of the task force and OPCW-led international efforts.” 

H5N1 Outbreak in Mammals at Año Nuevo State Park Continues 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

An ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at Año Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County, California has now claimed the lives of at least 18 animals, including 16 northern elephant seals, one southern sea otter, and one sea lion, according to officials. 

The outbreak, which marks the first confirmed detection of H5N1 in marine mammals in California and the first detection in northern elephant seals, was first identified in late February when researchers observed seals displaying abnormal respiratory and neurological symptoms, including tremors and weakness. Since then, scientists from University of California, Davis (UC Davis), UC Santa Cruz, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), and several partner organizations have been conducting ongoing field surveillance and laboratory testing. Christine Johnson, the director of the Institute for Pandemic Insights at UC Davis, cautioned that the confirmed death toll likely undercounts the true impact. “There are likely more animals that we will be updating on in the coming weeks,” she said. 

Despite the ongoing concern, experts say there are encouraging signs. Patrick Robinson, Año Nuevo Reserve Director at UC Santa Cruz, noted that thousands of apparently healthy animals remain on the beach, and new cases are appearing at a relatively stable and low rate, averaging roughly two newly dead and two newly symptomatic animals per day. Every year thousands of elephant seals migrate to Año Nuevo to birth and raise their pups before breeding again. Fortunately, almost 80% of the adult female seal population had already migrated away from the park before the outbreak began, which likely reduced the impact of the outbreak. In 2023, Argentina reported catastrophic mortality in southern elephant seals following a confirmed outbreak of HPAI, as well as deaths of thousands of sea lions and other seal species along the Argentine Patagonia coastline.  

Public access to seal-viewing areas at the state park remains closed, and guided elephant seal tours have been canceled for the remainder of the season. Health officials are urging visitors to avoid all contact with sick or dead marine mammals and birds, and to keep pets leashed while on the beach. “The risk to the general public remains very low, and there is no evidence of seal-to-human transmission,” said Dr. Catherine Sallenave of San Mateo County. Weekly updates are being provided by the UC Davis Institute for Pandemic Insights as monitoring continues. 

Further Reading:  

• “Emergence of a novel reassorted high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N2) virus associated with severe pneumonia in a young adult,” Joel Armando Vázquez-Pérez, et al. Scientific Reports 
• “Georgia declared free of bird flu, but officials warn farmers to remain vigilant,” Dan Raby, CBS News 
• “H5N1 avian influenza: Cambodia reports 2nd human case of 2026,” Robert Herriman, Outbreak News Today 

In Other News

AI, Emerging Tech, and Biosecurity Risks 

• “A Labour of Harm: Artificial Intelligence and Biological Weapons Acquisition,” Alexander Ghionis, Nancy Connell, Tom Hobson, Richard Armitage, and Lalitha Sundaram, SSRN 
• “AI companies are hiring chemical weapons experts for safety — while embedded in military systems,” Lachlan Brown, Silicon Canals 
• “AI-designed experiments run by robots hint at a new approach to biology,” Deni Ellis Bechard, Edited by Eric Sullivan, Scientific American 
• “Brief of the Scientific Advisory Board on: Mirror Life,” United Nations 

Chemical and Biological Weapons, Deterrence and Strategic Threats  

• “Commemoration of the 1988 Halabja Chemical Weapons Attack,” OPCW 
• “A Framework for Biological Weapons Deterrence,” INSS CSWMD 
• “Biodeterrence in an Era of Convergent Threats,” James Giordano, INSS 
• “The Rising Threat of Bioterrorism: Challenges and Responses for Law Enforcement and First Responders,” Martin Kurzhals, João Simões, and Jasmin Kluge, Police Chief Magazine 
• “The PRC Bioweapons Threat: How the PRC Doctrine and Civil-Military Fusion Create Anthrax Bioweapons Risk & How Policymakers Must Pivot to Fix America’s Anthrax Vulnerabilities,” American Biodefense Action Coalition 

Biosecurity Governance and Regulatory Gaps 

• “Forging a New Paradigm for Biosecurity Governance,” Featuring Sam Weiss Evans, Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes at Arizona State University 
• “Two Illegal Biolabs Reveal Gaps in U.S. Biosecurity,” Sam Howell, Lawfare 
• “We study pandemics, and the resurgence of measles is a grim sign of what’s coming,” The Conversation 

U.S. Health Policy and Institutional Politics 

• “Federal judge stalls health secretary RFK Jr.’s overhaul of vaccine policy,” Anil Oza, Chelsea Cirruzzo, and Daniel Payne, StatNews 
• “White House lifts hold on NIH research spending,” Jocelyn Kaiser, Science 
• “NIH chief calms nerves on grants, hiring,” Megan R. Wilson, WP 
• “2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community,” Office of the Director of National Intelligence 
• “U.S. Considers Withholding H.I.V. Aid Unless Zambia Expands Minerals Access,” Stephanie Nolen 

NEW: The New Bio Frontier: Creating an Ecosystem for a Healthy and Secure Future 

From the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET): “From CRISPR innovations fueling medical advances to biomanufacturing critical materials to AI-enabled tools unlocking new discoveries at the forefront of health science, biotechnology sits at the center for the next generation of U.S. innovation. Building robust innovation hubs and supporting the field’s foundational infrastructure will fuel U.S. global competitiveness and security.  

Join us for a fireside chat with IQT’s Vice President of Technology, Dr. Jessica Dymond, to discuss the current state of emerging biotechnology, the promises it holds, and the steps that policymakers, investors, and practitioners can take to build a robust biotechnology sector.” 

This event will be held in-person at Georgetown University’s Capital Campus, 500 First Street NW, Room 900, on Wednesday, March 25, 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

NEW: Game Changers: Cures for 21^st Century Biological Threats 

From the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council: “The Commission will host its latest meeting, focused on assessing strategies for strengthening biodefense science and technology. They will conceptualize the successes of and challenges facing biodefense technology innovators in an ever-changing threat environment.  

Biotechnology has accelerated at a rapid pace, driven in part by federal investment and policy. Advances in biological sciences create new opportunities for addressing biological events, and the public and private sectors at all levels have a role to play in bolstering these efforts. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the biological threat to food and agriculture, and the international perspective on the threat. The discussions will also touch upon the state of biotechnology innovation and federal regulation, research and development activities.” 

This event will be hybrid (in-person and online) and will be held on Friday, April 10, at 9:00 AM ET. Learn more and register here.  

Prioritizing Biological Risks: The Case for AMR  

From Effective Altruism Austria: “Biological threats represent some of the most pressing global risks of our time, yet they remain significantly under-prioritized compared to their potential impact. In this talk, participants will learn 1) What biosecurity encompasses and why it should be a priority within the EA community; 2) How antimicrobial resistance (AMR) fits into the broader biosecurity landscape and why it deserves special attention; and 3) Why AMR represents a “silent pandemic” with massive intervention opportunities when analyzed through EA frameworks of importance, neglectedness, and tractability, plus how it connects with other cause areas like global health and development.” 

This event will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 24, 1:30 – 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: Bio-Leadership Summit (BLISS) – Submit your Nominations 

From the Hoover Institution: “Bio-Strategies & Leadership at the Hoover Institution will convene ~300 action-oriented leaders at Stanford for the inaugural Bio Leadership Summit, a one-day event designed to elevate biotechnology culturally and politically, and to speak frankly regarding what biotech leadership looks like across the most important domains of strategic impact. We are looking for leaders—up and coming or established, with or without a biotechnology background—who have a track record of turning ideas into outcomes to participate.” 

The summit will occur on April 14. Learn more and submit your nominations here. 

NEW: Council on Strategic Risks Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship – Call for Applications 

From CSR: “The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) is announcing an open call for applications for our 2026 Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp, a unique fellowship opportunity that we will host in the United States. 

Whether arising naturally, by accident, or through a deliberate effort to weaponize infectious diseases, biological threats pose grave risks to international security and stability. This is a highly dynamic time for biological risks, as we are witnessing an incredible pace of technological change against the backdrop of a shifting, dangerous global security landscape. Biological risks are as concerning as ever—and we are entering a new era in terms of the tools and approaches available to mitigate them. Informed by the unique experiences of its staff and years of collaboration across its expert networks, CSR’s work related to biological threats ties to a bold vision: making biological weapons the first category of weapons of mass destruction to be rendered obsolete in terms of their mass-destruction potential; and preventing any future infectious disease outbreaks from reaching pandemic scale. To achieve this goal, CSR is continuing to develop and cultivate creative solutions to address biological threats, including ways countries can effectively prepare for them.” 

Applications are due on April 24. Learn more and apply here. 

NEW: Bio-attribution Challenge 

From DARPA: “Translate your bio-attribution research into national security impact. In an era of unprecedented biological data generation, the ability to rapidly determine the origin of a biological event — whether natural, accidental, or intentional — is a critical component of national security and public health. To meet the challenge of finding the “needle in a haystack” within this data deluge, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Bio-Attribution Challenge. 

This virtual competition calls on innovators to develop a new generation of tools capable of analyzing petabyte-scale datasets in near real-time, far exceeding the capacity of current systems. The goal is to revolutionize how we identify and trace the source of biological sequences, ensuring a faster, more effective response to potential threats. Register for virtual competition to win a share of $180,000 in Prizes.” 

The deadline to register is June 15. Learn more and register here. 

Bio-Responsibility Future Leaders Programme from the Indian Institute of Science 

From the Centre for Society and Policy: “The Bio-responsibility Future Leaders Programme (BFLP) is a year-long, part-time training programme focused on building the future leaders to promote safe, secure and responsible research and innovation in life sciences in India. The programme is run by the Centre for Society and Policy, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. The programme will strive to create national capacity at the intersection of life sciences, security, and policy by training and supporting emerging leaders through interactive workshops, seminars, and high-level policy roundtable discussions.” 

The application to apply is March 22. Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

9th World One Health Congress – Calls for Abstracts 

From Global One Health Community: “The One Health Congress invites abstracts, session concept notes, and workshop proposals addressing innovative research, policy, and practice across human-animal-plant-environment interfaces. Submissions are welcomed under the following themes: 1) Climate change, environment, and ecosystems health; 2) Biodiversity, wildlife, and pathogen interfaces; 3) Food systems, agriculture, and plant health; 4) Pathogens, microbiome, and intervention strategies; 5) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); 6) Data, technology and innovative analytics; 7) Knowledge, education and communities; 8) Governance, policy and legal frameworks, 9) One Health implementation and financing; 10) Preparedness, resilience and economic evaluation; 11) Biosecurity, biosafety and global health security; 12) The critical role of the private sector in One Health policy.  

Learn more and submit here.  

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights emerging concerns about biological toxins, the continued spread of H5N1 across the Americas, new research and vaccine efforts to combat avian influenza, and upcoming opportunities in biodefense and global health security. 

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?

The George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government will host upcoming Master’s in Biodefense information sessions:  

• Friday, March 13 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT)  
• Friday, April 3 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT) 

Sound the Tocsin: A Summary of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense’s “Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins” at the Atlantic Council  

By Alex Kyabarongo and Lena Kroepke, MS Biodefense  

Alex Kyabarongo is a second-year MS Biodefense student from Uganda with special interests in global health security policy and biothreat reduction programs. 

Lena Kroepke is a recent MS Biodefense program graduate from Germany with a background in peace and conflict research.  

On Thursday, February 26, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council hosted the event “Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins,” mapping the threat of biological toxins and their implications for future biological attacks. Recent accusations by several European countries that the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was caused by a toxin derived from poison dart frogs, paired with rapid advancements in the science and technology (S&T) sector, highlight the threat that biological toxins can pose in the hands of malicious actors. Over the course of three panels, subject matter experts discussed the evolving challenges surrounding the spectrum, use, availability, detection, and attribution of dangerous toxins.  

The meeting was opened by former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, who provided a brief overview of the dangers posed by toxins, reflecting on his personal experience during the 2001 anthrax attacks, in which he was a target. Senator Daschle emphasized that the threat extends beyond the envelope to food supply chains and water systems. He cautioned about the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and biological design tools, noting how this combination could accelerate the design of novel toxins. He further highlighted the risks posed by dual-use research of concern, which raises difficult questions about transparency and creates challenges for attribution. 

In this report, we will focus on the discussion of the first panel, which was titled “Nature to Nefarious” and focused on different types of toxin threats, such as “foodborne exposure, state-sponsored assassination, terrorism, synthetic production, and warfare.” The featured experts included Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz, Director of the Graduate Biodefense Program at George Mason University; Fanny Ewann, CBRNE Specialized Officer for INTERPOL; and Dr. James Giordano, Director of the Center for Disruptive Technologies and Future Warfare at the National Defense University. For more information, a full recording of the event is available on YouTube.  

The panel began with individual presentations by each expert and was followed by a Q&A session that allowed members of the commission to pose follow-up inquiries. As the first presenter, Koblentz started by outlining the technical difficulties in producing toxins in large quantities, therefore arguing that they are better suited for individual attacks rather than large-scale strikes. However, when used against high-profile targets or specific groups, toxins can act as a form of political signaling, thereby demonstrating effectiveness despite their limited range. Consequently, Koblentz argued that toxins can be used as “tools of mass coercion” rather than “weapons of mass destruction”. He also maintained that the rise in authoritarianism across the globe and the rapid advancements in S&T could not only lead to an increase in the demand for biological toxins but also a growth in supply.  

Koblentz, moreover, outlined current international regulations on biological toxins. He emphasized that while the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), as well as the 1925 Geneva Protocol, prohibit the malicious use and weaponization of toxins, significant gaps persist in the treaties’ verification capabilities and the international community’s condemnation of such actions. In that regard, Koblentz criticized Russia’s evasion of noteworthy investigation and political consequences for allegations of past poisonings (such as the 2020 Novichok attack on Navalny) and the pursuit of an illegal government-run program to weaponize biological toxins. According to Koblentz, the willingness to use toxins paired with the capabilities to produce them renders Russia the greatest threat in terms of potential toxin attacks, followed by China, Iran, and North Korea in that order.  

Fanny Ewann from INTERPOL was the second panel speaker. Ewann reiterated that the threat of toxin use has been persistent and is increasing around the world. The primary threat is their use by non-state actors, including terrorist groups, individuals in homicide cases, and, more recently, actors involved in animal poisoning as a form of agroterrorism, which is currently on the rise. Ewann elaborated on several recent cases involving toxins, including last year’s potential bioterror plot in India, the ricin poisoning case in Germany in 2018, the mushroom poisoning case in Australia, and the strychnine poisoning of dogs in Spain. This evolution in the biothreat landscape has prompted INTERPOL to reassess its list of bioagents and toxins of concern for both animal and human populations, expanding the list from four to sixteen biological threats. 

Lastly, Giordano added to the discussion by elaborating on the specific characteristics that render toxins challenging to detect, attribute, and defend against. He argued that current technological advancements facilitate and increase the affordable production of toxins and that such developments allow for the creation of novel toxins that display increased stability and potency while evading detection. Additionally, Giordano maintained that the dual-use nature of toxin research allows malicious actors to access samples and the necessary infrastructure to weaponize toxins covertly. His presentation emphasized that a range of actors (e.g., state, non-state, and “do-it-yourself” communities) possess the capabilities to utilize highly potent toxins to effectively target individuals or create fear in society through random targeting. Giordano’s arguments therefore aligned with his fellow presenters as he defined toxins as “weapons of maximum disruption.”  

During the Q&A section of the panel, the main topics were the influence of AI on the weaponization of toxins and what could be done at the international level to address the threat posed by toxins. Giordano described how AI could not only be used to predict social patterns and behaviors, thereby facilitating targeting, but also enable the production of more deadly toxins that can incapacitate at lower doses than are required for detection. In response to questions from commissioners about steps that could be taken to counter this threat, the panelists called for the introduction of systems that address vulnerabilities in the food supply chain and water systems, improved inter-agency information-sharing on both the domestic and international levels, establishment of a transnational laboratory network for toxin detection, an accountability framework that facilitates attribution of malicious toxin use, and heightened penalization for the misuse of biotoxins.  

Bird Flu Spreads through the Americas 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) bird flu continues to wreak havoc across the globe. In the United States (U.S.), the USDA confirmed at least 20 H5N1 outbreaks at commercial poultry facilities in recent weeks, with over 11.5 million birds affected across 67 flocks in the past 30 days alone. Among the hardest hit were facilities in North Carolina (3.2 million birds) and Wisconsin (1.2 million birds). Additionally, two live bird markets in Florida and New York reported outbreaks affecting 870 birds. Wild birds have also been heavily impacted, with around 60 detections reported in the past week across states including Colorado and Ohio. 

In South America, Argentina has seen a resurgence in bird flu detections, the first since being deemed disease free in September 2025, including nearly 20,000 birds in a flock of breeding stock in Lobos and a laying hen flock in Alejo Ledesma. The virus has also been detected in wild and backyard birds across Colombia, Brazil, and Uruguay, often in animals located near wetlands where interaction with wild birds increases transmission risk. 

UK Turkey Vaccine Trials Underway 

In response to the escalating crisis, the United Kingdom (UK) launched targeted bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys on March 5 in England. Annual outbreaks cost the UK government and industry up to £174 million, making the search for effective preventative tools increasingly urgent. Turkeys were selected due to their high susceptibility to the virus and the rapid mortality rates seen during outbreaks. 

The 24-week trials will assess vaccine efficacy in real field conditions and will help inform final recommendations of the UK HPAI vaccination taskforce. France has already credited nationwide duck vaccination, introduced in 2023, with curbing its outbreaks, and similar trials are underway in the Netherlands and the United States despite ongoing concerns that vaccination could jeopardize exports and trade. 

CRISPR Takes on H5N1 

Beyond vaccines, innovative research and new approaches to combat HPAI continue to emerge. In February 2026, US biotech firm Seek Labs was awarded a $2 million USDA grant to develop a CRISPR-based therapeutic designed to remain effective even as the virus mutates. Unlike traditional treatments that target specific strains, their proprietary “programmable therapeutic platform” uses AI-driven genomic surveillance to continuously analyze viral changes and then identify and disrupt stable regions of the virus’s genome. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 

Further Reading:  

• “First Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Northern Elephant Seals Confirmed in California,” University of California, Davis 
• “Monk seals get bird flu vaccine as California responds to outbreak,” Savannah Harriman-Pote, Hawaiʻi Public Radio 
• “Bird flu vaccine trials ‘momentous’ for farmers,” Alex Dunlop, BBC 
• “FFAR Funds Research to Mitigate Airborne Transmission of Avian Flu,” Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research 
• “‘We’ve seen this before’: Bird flu again hits Wisconsin poultry farms,” Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio 

IN OTHER NEWS 

Public Health and Disease Surveillance 

• “Dynamics of natural selection preceding human viral epidemics and pandemics,” Jennifer L. Havens, Sergei L. Kosakovsky Pond, Jordan D. Zehr, Jonathan E. Pekar, Edyth Parker, Michael Worobey, Kristian G. Andersen, and Joel O. Wertheim, Cell Press 
• “Scientists Get a Glimpse of How New Pandemics Are Made,” Carl Zimmer, NYTimes  
• “US measles total approaches 1,300 infections,” Jim Wappes, CIDRAP 
• “Large drugmakers are developing fewer antibiotics, analysis finds,” Ed Silverman, StatNews 

Biosecurity Governance, Oversight and Risk Mitigation 

• “Cost–benefit analysis for synthetic nucleic acid screening in the European Union,” Sana Zakaria, Gabriella Franchi, Matt Sharkey, Adam Urwick, Manpreet Bhangal, and Richard Bruns, RAND 
• “Have an Idea on How to Modernize and Strengthen the Oversight of Biosafety? Let us Know!” NIH 

CBRN Policy and National Security 

• “Start Planning Now to Secure CBRN Materials in Iran,” Richard Cupitt, Christina McAllister, and Barbara Slavin, Stimson 
• “Stockpiles, Countermeasures, and Deterrence: A Blueprint to Fix America’s Biodefense Gap,” Greg Burel, RealClear Defense 
• “AI-Ready Biodata Is America’s Next Strategic Infrastructure,” Michelle Holko, John Wilbanks, and Sam Howell, War on the Rocks 
• “The Nucleic Acid Observatory is now SecureBio Detection,” Jeff Kaufman, SecureBio 

Science Policy, Funding and Research Infrastructure  

• “China pledges billion-dollar spending boost for science,” Xiaoying You, Nature 
• “White House stalls release of approved US science budgets,” Max Kozlov, Alexandra Witze, and Dan Garisto, Nature 
• “Trump administration’s embattled FDA vaccine chief is leaving for the second time,” Matthew Perrone, APNews 

NEW: Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Lessons Observed Webinar (GLOW) 

From GHSA: “Please join the GHSA Antimicrobial Resistance Action Package (APP-1) for a GHSA Lessons Observed Webinar (GLOW) to learn more about Sweden’s cross-border, collaborative approaches across the Nordic and Baltic regions to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This GLOW event is open to anyone interested in learning more about lessons observed in effective partnerships to address AMR and other threats to global health security. Please share the attached invitation across your national and technical networks.” 

This event will be held on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 AM EDT | 12:00 PM CET. Learn more and register here. 

Prioritizing Biological Risks: The Case for AMR  

From Effective Altruism Austria: “Biological threats represent some of the most pressing global risks of our time, yet they remain significantly under-prioritized compared to their potential impact. In this talk, participants will learn 1) What biosecurity encompasses and why it should be a priority within the EA community; 2) How antimicrobial resistance (AMR) fits into the broader biosecurity landscape and why it deserves special attention; and 3) Why AMR represents a “silent pandemic” with massive intervention opportunities when analyzed through EA frameworks of importance, neglectedness, and tractability, plus how it connects with other cause areas like global health and development.” 

This event will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 24, 1:30 – 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: Bio-Responsibility Future Leaders Programme from the Indian Institute of Science 

From the Centre for Society and Policy: “The Bio-responsibility Future Leaders Programme (BFLP) is a year-long, part-time training programme focused on building the future leaders to promote safe, secure and responsible research and innovation in life sciences in India. The programme is run by the Centre for Society and Policy, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. The programme will strive to create national capacity at the intersection of life sciences, security, and policy by training and supporting emerging leaders through interactive workshops, seminars, and high-level policy roundtable discussions.” 

The application to apply is March 22. Learn more and submit your application here. 

Institute for Science and International Security Hosts Two-Day Course on Nuclear Non-Proliferation at George Mason University! 

From ISIS: “The Institute for Science and International Security, a non-partisan NGO based in Washington D.C., focused on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, is bringing its free technical course on nuclear weapons and their proliferation to the GMU. David Albright and Sarah Burkhard will provide a solid foundation of the scientific and technical aspects of nuclear weapons, including the key facets of developing nuclear weapons, including fissile material production – uranium enrichment, plutonium production and separation – and nuclear weaponization and delivery. It will include how we have learned about secret nuclear weapons programs in Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, South Africa, and other countries.  

The course will be taught in two half-day sessions, March 31^st and April 6^th, at George Mason University, Van Metre Hall, Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. The course is free, but registration is required by sending an email with your full name and affiliation to bitaraf@isis-online.org.” 

Deputy Director for Scientific and Regulatory Compliance – Job Opening 

From the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services: “DCLS is seeking an experienced laboratory leader to serve as Deputy Director for Scientific and Regulatory Compliance. This Deputy Director position will report directly to the Laboratory Director and will work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to promote the role of Virginia’s state laboratory and our mission of promoting a healthier, safer world through quality laboratory service.” 

Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

9th World One Health Congress – Calls for Abstracts 

From Global One Health Community: “The One Health Congress invites abstracts, session concept notes, and workshop proposals addressing innovative research, policy, and practice across human-animal-plant-environment interfaces. Submissions are welcomed under the following themes: 1) Climate change, environment, and ecosystems health; 2) Biodiversity, wildlife, and pathogen interfaces; 3) Food systems, agriculture, and plant health; 4) Pathogens, microbiome, and intervention strategies; 5) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); 6) Data, technology and innovative analytics; 7) Knowledge, education and communities; 8) Governance, policy and legal frameworks, 9) One Health implementation and financing; 10) Preparedness, resilience and economic evaluation; 11) Biosecurity, biosafety and global health security; 12) The critical role of the private sector in One Health policy.  

Learn more and submit here.  

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights evolving chemical and biological weapons risks, shifting leadership in U.S. public health institutions, and the growing intersection of biotechnology, AI, and biosecurity governance. 

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?

GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government has an upcoming recruitment event:  

• Information Session on Biodefense Master’s Program on Friday, March 13 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT)  

Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins 

On February 26, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council hosted its latest meeting titled “Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins,” mapping the evolving threat landscape of biological toxins and their implications for future biological attacks. Dr. Gregory Koblentz, Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University, participated as a featured speaker alongside policymakers and experts to examine the growing risks posed by biological toxins such as ricin, a highly potent toxin derived from castor beans. Discussions explored the full spectrum of toxin threats – from foodborne exposure and terrorism to state-sponsored assassination – as well as challenges in detection, attribution, and response.  

Ahead of the event, the Atlantic Council published an accompanying dispatch highlighting why toxin threats are gaining renewed attention from the biodefense community, underscoring how advances in biotechnology and synthetic bio-production could increase the accessibility of toxin agents. They reinforced the importance of strengthening biodefense preparedness and response capabilities. Read the full op-ed here.  

Watch the event recording on YouTube here.  

Allegations of Iranian Chemical Weapons Use Draw International Scrutiny  

In a new op-ed, Andrea Stricker, and Schar School Biodefense Director, Gregory Koblentz, explore the question of, “Did Iran Use Chemical Weapons on Protesters?” From the National Interest: “More than 30 human rights and civil society groups are urging the United Nations to investigate allegations that Iran used chemical weapons against protesters in January 2026. This call mirrors concerns raised in a January 22nd, European Parliament resolution condemning the regime’s brutal suppression of national protests.” 

Assad Loyalists Regroup as Syria’s Chemical Weapons Risks Persist 

More than a year after the overthrowing of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, the status of their chemical weapons stockpiles remains uncertain. In The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, GMU Biodefense Director Gregory Koblentz argues that the international community must move beyond solely channeling resources to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international body responsible for implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and provide direct capacity-building support to Syria’s new government to locate, secure, and destroy leftover chemical weapons stockpiles.  

Schar School Professor Named Managing Editor for Counterterrorism at Homeland Security Magazine 

Homeland Security Today, a nonprofit news outlet, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mahmut Cengiz, a current Associate Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, as Managing Editor for Counterterrorism! Dr. Cengiz will help to strengthen the publication’s editorial leadership and analytical depth on global terrorism and security issues.  

Foul Times for Pennsylvania Poultry Farms 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Pennsylvania has become the epicenter of the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak with more than 7 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks affected since the start of 2026. This represents more than half of all recently reported avian flu cases in the United States, with almost 9.5 million birds affected in the last 30 days across the country. Lancaster county has been hit especially hard with outbreaks at two commercial egg-laying facilities affecting 2.6 million and 1.4 million birds respectively, along with nearly 30,000 commercial turkeys and 179,000 broiler birds at other county sites. In total, Pennsylvania has lost more than 14.3 million birds since the current bird flu outbreak began in February 2022. 

Governor Josh Shapiro, who met recently with farmers and agriculture officials in Lancaster County, declared that the state is “in crisis mode”. More than 100 state and federal personnel have been deployed across Pennsylvania to support response including a 25-person team from the USDA. The governor said he is in close contact with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding additional resources, including the possibility of a bird flu vaccine for poultry. However, Shapiro cautioned that any vaccine rollout would be months away and would likely begin as a pilot program, as international trade considerations continue to complicate the conversation at the federal level. 

The economic ripple effects of the state’s outbreak are already being felt. Chris Herr, Executive Vice President of PennAg, noted that the impact extends well beyond individual farms to include feed companies, service businesses, and supply chains, with economists expected to tally losses in the tens of millions of dollars. 

Federal Testing Mandates Improved Response in Dairy Herds 

A report published in Emerging Infectious Diseases in early February offers an optimistic picture of how federal intervention has shaped the dairy cattle avian influenza outbreak. Led by researchers from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the team found that H5N1 viral RNA was present in 36% of retail milk samples collected across 13 states in spring 2024, including in five states with no officially reported outbreaks at the time. Only 29 infected herds had been reported as of April 12, 2024, suggesting the virus was far more widespread than surveillance data indicated. 

Federal mandates launched in April and December 2024 required increased herd surveillance, including testing lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement and implementation of the National Milk Testing Strategy. While increased reporting requirements led to a rapid surge in documented cases to over 1,000 herds, viral RNA detection in milk samples subsequently dropped to just 6.9% in samples collected in late 2024 through January 2025. The findings suggest that expanded surveillance both improved detection accuracy and helped control the spread of H5N1 in dairy herds, highlighting the importance of instituting timely disease surveillance during outbreaks.  

Human Case of H5N1 Confirmed in Cambodia 

Cambodia reported its first human H5N1 infection of 2026 in mid-February, a 30-year-old man from Kampot province who has since fully recovered. The patient experienced fever, abdominal pain, and cough, and investigators linked his exposure to a dead chicken found in his home that had been cooked roughly three days before he fell ill. 

While this individual case ended without fatality, Cambodia has recorded 36 human H5 infections since 2023, with a case-fatality rate exceeding 40%. Most recent Cambodian cases involve a reassortant strain (2.3.2.1e) blending an older locally circulating H5N1 clade with the newer globally circulating clade 2.3.4.4b, a combination that researchers continue to monitor closely. 

Further Reading:  

• “Md. officials, chicken industry say annual bird flu activity is a ‘new normal’ for Eastern Shore,” Danielle J. Brown, WTOP News 
• “Dozens of dead swans found in London spark fears of bird flu outbreak,” Harriette Boucher, The Independent 
• “3 new human avian flu cases reported in China,” Stephanie Soucheray, CIDRAP 
• “Gentoo penguins the first birds on Australian territory to contract H5N1 as bird flu spreads,” Petra Stock, The Guardian 

Institute for Science and International Security Hosts Two-Day Course on Nuclear Non-Proliferation at George Mason University! 

From ISIS: “The Institute for Science and International Security, a non-partisan NGO based in Washington D.C., focused on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, is bringing its free technical course on nuclear weapons and their proliferation to the GMU. David Albright and Sarah Burkhard will provide a solid foundation of the scientific and technical aspects of nuclear weapons, including the key facets of developing nuclear weapons, including fissile material production – uranium enrichment, plutonium production and separation – and nuclear weaponization and delivery. It will include how we have learned about secret nuclear weapons programs in Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, South Africa, and other countries.  

The course will be taught in two half-day sessions, March 31^st and April 6^th, at George Mason University, Van Metre Hall, Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. The course is free, but registration is required by sending an email with your full name and affiliation to bitaraf@isis-online.org.”

In Other News 

Biotech Governance, AI, and Biosecurity Architecture 

• “Why universal gene synthesis screening protects American biotech,” Anemone Franz, Washington Examiner 
• “Why We’re Doubling Down on Synthesis Screening,” Sentinel Bio 
• “NTI and CACDA Issue Joint Statement Calling for Stronger Biosecurity and Responsible AI-Biotechnology Innovation,” NTI 
• “How Funders Can Make Life Science Research Safer and Faster,” Aparupa Sengupta, NTI 
• “Governing Biotechnology’s Dual-Use Security Dilemma,” Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, Observer Research Foundation 
• “Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation,” Max Kozlov, Nature  
• “Does frontier AI enhance novices in molecular biology?” Substack 

US Public Health Leadership and Institutional Stability 

• “Exit of CDC’s acting director highlights agency’s lack of leader,” Helen Branswell, StatNews 
• “National Institutes of Health faces leadership vacuum as director positions sit open,” Aria Bendix, NBC News 
• “Top aides to RFK Jr. will leave posts,” David Lim and Tim Rohn, Politico  
• “Jay Bhattacharya named acting CDC director,” Cheyenne Haslett, David Lim, and Sophie Gardner, Politico 
• “Leadership Changes at the CDC,” CDC Data Project 
• “Ralph Abraham, No. 2 official at CDC, abruptly steps down,” Helen Branswell, StatNews 
• “After blasting WHO costs, Trump officials propose more expensive alternative,” Washington Post 
• “China criticizes U.S. for WHO pullout, accusing it of sidestepping international law,” Helen Branswell, StatNews 

Chemical and Biological Weapons 

• “Slow progress beats no progress in reversing bioweapons convention atrophy,” David Stiefal, Geneva Solutions 
• “Navalny was poisoned with exotic frog toxin, five Western nations confirm,” The Insider 
• “Russia’s Alleged Use of Chemical Weapon To Murder Alexei Navalny Shows Cost of Impunity,” Andrea Stricker, FDD 
• “How did chemists identify the poison that killed Alexei Navalny?” Laurel Oldach, Chemical & Engineering News 

NEW: Pandemics and Society Webinar Series: The State of U.S. Biodefense 

From Brown University: “Biological risks are on the rise, including those posed by deliberate and accidental events. While emerging technologies are essential for countering biological threats, they simultaneously increase the likelihood and impact of misuse. As new tools that can enable the development of designer pathogens become more accessible and data point to an increasing frequency of natural events, policy and funding decisions in the United States have led to an uncertain future for the nation’s biodefense capabilities.” 

This event will be held virtually on Friday, March 6, 12:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: Prioritizing Biological Risks: The Case for AMR  

From Effective Altruism Austria: “Biological threats represent some of the most pressing global risks of our time, yet they remain significantly under-prioritized compared to their potential impact. In this talk, participants will learn 1) What biosecurity encompasses and why it should be a priority within the EA community; 2) How antimicrobial resistance (AMR) fits into the broader biosecurity landscape and why it deserves special attention; and 3) Why AMR represents a “silent pandemic” with massive intervention opportunities when analyzed through EA frameworks of importance, neglectedness, and tractability, plus how it connects with other cause areas like global health and development.” 

This event will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 24, 1:30 – 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.  

World Changing Innovations in Science & Technology Summit 

From the National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC): “The National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC), a component of the Uniformed Services University that supports the Department of War and other federal partners, will host the World Changing Innovations in Science and Technology Summit. The S&T Summit is organized into four modules, focused on key S&T domains: biotechnology, advanced computing, space technology, and nuclear energy. Our Nation’s leading subject matter experts from government, academia, industry, and federally funded laboratories will present on cutting-edge developments and emerging risks from a medical and public health perspective.  

Attendees are welcomed from Federal, state, and local governments, industry, academia, and other non-governmental organizations to explore emerging innovations in science and technology, assess their potential threats and opportunities.  

This event will take place from March 9-20, in Bethesda, Maryland. Learn more and register here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: Deputy Director for Scientific and Regulatory Compliance – Job Opening 

From the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services: “DCLS is seeking an experienced laboratory leader to serve as Deputy Director for Scientific and Regulatory Compliance. This Deputy Director position will report directly to the Laboratory Director and will work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to promote the role of Virginia’s state laboratory and our mission of promoting a healthier, safer world through quality laboratory service.” 

Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

9th World One Health Congress – Calls for Abstracts 

From Global One Health Community: “The One Health Congress invites abstracts, session concept notes, and workshop proposals addressing innovative research, policy, and practice across human-animal-plant-environment interfaces. Submissions are welcomed under the following themes: 1) Climate change, environment, and ecosystems health; 2) Biodiversity, wildlife, and pathogen interfaces; 3) Food systems, agriculture, and plant health; 4) Pathogens, microbiome, and intervention strategies; 5) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); 6) Data, technology and innovative analytics; 7) Knowledge, education and communities; 8) Governance, policy and legal frameworks, 9) One Health implementation and financing; 10) Preparedness, resilience and economic evaluation; 11) Biosecurity, biosafety and global health security; 12) The critical role of the private sector in One Health policy.  

Learn more and submit here.  

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights the evolving biological threat landscape – from agroterrorism and toxin risks to AI-enabled biotechnology – alongside efforts to reinforce preparedness, governance, and global health security. 

GMU Biodefense Adjunct Dr. Ashley Grant Testifies Before Congress on Agroterrorism

Dr. Ashley Grant, Senior Health Security and Biodefense Advisor, Office of Health Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and adjunct professor in the George Mason University’s Biodefense Graduate Program, testified before Congress on February 11 as part of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology hearing on, “Surveying the Threat of Agroterrorism, Part II: Assessing Federal Government Efforts.”  

In her testimony, Dr. Grant outlined DHS Office of Health Security’s (OHS) coordinated approach to defend the nation’s food, agriculture, and veterinary systems against terrorism and other high-consequence threats, whether intentional or naturally occurring. She underscored the growing risks posed by agroterrorism and other biological threats, emphasizing that advances in biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI), while beneficial, have also lowered barriers for malicious actors seeking to disrupt crops, livestock, and food production systems. “Food security is national security,” she noted. 

Dr. Grant concluded by reaffirming DHS’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s food and agriculture systems through collaboration, driving innovation, and sustained readiness of our homeland to meet the challenges ahead.  

For more information on the hearing, visit here. 

A Bipartisan Plan for Strengthening Defenses Against Biological Threats 

The CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security Working Group on Biodefense has released a new report, Protecting Americans from Biological Threats, that provides a prioritized set of practical, near-term recommendations for the U.S. government to modernize biosurveillance, ensure biosafety and biosecurity, reverse the decline of the biodefense enterprise, and strengthen response and recovery. These recommendations were developed through intensive deliberations with working group members over the past four months and endorsed by a bipartisan group of over 40 expert signatories. Dr. Gregory Koblentz, Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program, was a member of the working group and one of the signatories to the final report. Sophia Hirshfield, MS Biodefense ’23, a research associate at the Center for Global Health at CSIS, was one of the report’s co-authors. 

Further Reading: 

• “Strengthening Preparedness Against Novel Biological Threat Agents Enabled Through Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies,”  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.  
• “Defensive acceleration: the strategic pivot needed for UK biological resilience,” The Centre for Long-Term Resilience. 
• “Informing the European Biotech Act and Inclusions of our Recommendations,” The Centre for Long-Term Resilience 

Norway’s Focus 2026 Warns of Expanding Biological Weapons Risks Amid AI Advances  

Norway’s Focus 2026, an annual report published by the Norwegian Intelligence Service, is a threat and risk assessment of current security challenges. The report notes that although Russia and China are both signatories to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), both countries retain considerable capacity to produce biological and chemical agents due to historical expertise, dual-use research, and extensive biotechnology investments. Russia, for instance, continues using less-lethal agents such as teargas and chloropicrin in Ukraine. Meanwhile, although China signed the BWC in 1984, Chinese research institutions affiliated with the armed forces have been working to identify and test highly toxic substances for years. The report also highlights how advances in biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data could facilitate the design of novel toxic substances and microorganisms with specific characteristics, posing evolving risks to security systems involving both humans and food production.  

Further Reading: 

• ‘Measuring Biological Capabilities and Risks of AI Agents: Generating and Interpreting Evidence from Agentic Evaluations,” Patricia Paskov, Jeffrey Lee, Kyle Brady, and Alyssa Worland, RAND 
• “Open-source AI program can answer science questions better than humans,” Jeffrey Brainard, Science 
• “mRNA Technology as a National Security Asset,” Council on Strategic Risks Blog
• “Sentinel 2025 Annual Letter,” Sentinel Bio 

Bird Flu Threatens Antarctic Wildlife as Researchers Explore Vaccine Solutions 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Recent research has shed new light on the growing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) bird flu to wildlife in some of the world’s most remote ecosystems, while also pointing toward promising new tools for conservation. 

A study published in Scientific Reports, led by Erasmus MC and UC Davis, confirmed the first documented wildlife die-off from H5N1 avian influenza on the Antarctic continent. More than 50 south polar skuas, which are large, ecologically important seabirds related to gulls, were found to have died from the virus during the summers of 2023 and 2024. Scientists previously detected the virus in dead birds in Antarctica, but HPAI was not confirmed as the cause of the deaths. This research showed through a combination of virological, bacteriological, and pathological analyses that H5N1 HPAI caused multi-organ failure and death in skuas, but not in other Antarctic species found deceased around the same time. Researchers noted the virus caused severe neurological symptoms in affected birds and warned that skuas’ role as scavengers could position them to spread the disease further across the continent. The last Antarctic skua census was conducted in the 1980s and counted only around 800 breeding pairs. The loss of more than 50 birds to H5N1 could represent a significant blow to the population, though the true scale remains unclear without updated population data. Researchers warn that without increased monitoring efforts in Antarctica, the full extent of the virus’s impact on these and other vulnerable species may go undetected.  

On a more encouraging note, a study published recently in Nature Communications demonstrated that vaccination against H5 avian influenza can produce a strong and lasting immune response in wild king penguins, offering a potential tool for wildlife conservation.  

King penguins, which breed in dense colonies across sub-Antarctic islands and raise their chicks over an extended period, were identified as an ideal candidate species for a vaccination trial in a natural setting. In the study, thirty penguin chicks received a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine targeting the H5 hemagglutinin protein, the component of the virus responsible for entering host cells, while twenty unvaccinated chicks served as controls. Researchers monitored the birds for 250 days and found that vaccinated chicks maintained high levels of neutralizing antibodies all the way through to fledging, with no adverse effects observed. Importantly, testing confirmed that none of the birds had been naturally exposed to the virus during the trial period, meaning the immune response was driven entirely by the vaccine itself. 

The research team also examined the cellular mechanisms behind the immune response, identifying significant activity in memory B cells and T cells, the components of the immune system responsible for recognizing and rapidly responding to future infections. This suggests the vaccine does not offer merely short-term protection but may prime the immune system for a durable, long-term defense. Historically, there has been little scientific data published on the ability of non-domesticated birds to sustain vaccine-induced immunity without repeated natural exposure to a virus. These findings contribute significantly to our understanding of host immunity in Antarctic avifauna and may be adaptable to other wild and domestic species globally. 

Together, these developments emphasize the expanding ecological footprint of avian influenza and the growing importance of coordinated surveillance, research, and prevention efforts to combat the ongoing HPAI panzootic. 

Further Reading:  

• “Tackling avian influenza with automated detection for an early warning system,” Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), United States Geological Survey (USGS) 
• “More avian flu outbreaks in Pennsylvania, Colorado,” Stephanie Soucheray, CIDRAP 
• “Bird flu kills 10th dolphin in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon,” Jim Waymer, Florida Today 

Institute for Science and International Security Hosts Two-Day Course on Nuclear Non-Proliferation at George Mason University! 

From ISIS: “The Institute for Science and International Security, a non-partisan NGO based in Washington D.C., focused on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, is bringing its free technical course on nuclear weapons and their proliferation to the GMU. David Albright and Sarah Burkhard will provide a solid foundation of the scientific and technical aspects of nuclear weapons, including the key facets of developing nuclear weapons, including fissile material production – uranium enrichment, plutonium production and separation – and nuclear weaponization and delivery. It will include how we have learned about secret nuclear weapons programs in Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, South Africa, and other countries.  

The course will be taught in two half-day sessions, March 31^st and April 6^th, at George Mason University, Van Metre Hall, Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. The course is free, but registration is required by sending an email with your full name and affiliation to bitaraf@isis-online.org.” 

Eighth Session of the BWC Working Group Convenes in Geneva 

The Eighth Session of the Working Group (WG) on the strengthening of the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC/BTWC) is scheduled to convene in Geneva from 9 to 13 February 2026. Proceedings for public meetings will be video-streamed via UN WebTV and audio-streamed via Listen Live. Official documents and other materials, including details of side events, are being posted by the BWC Implementation Support Unit (ISU) to the official web page of the Eighth Session, which can be found here. A consolidated collection of Richard Guthrie’s reporting on the BWC meetings is available online: https://www.cbw-events.org.uk/bwc-rep.html 

In Other News 

Global Health Governance and US WHO Relations 

• “China criticizes U.S. for WHO pullout, accusing it of sidestepping international law,” Helen Branswell, StatNews 
• “New York City Partners with W.H.O. as U.S. Withdraws From Global Effort,” Joseph Goldstein, NYTimes 
• “Pandemic security needs national leadership,” Maria D. Van Kerkhove and Chikwe Ihekweazu, Science 
• “Biodefense Blind Spot: Why Washington Confuses Pandemics with Bioweapons,” Junaid Nabi, War on the Rocks 
• “One Year Post-USAID, Global Health Funding Stuck in Limbo,” Allison Krugman, Think Global Health 
• “The Great Aid Recession: 2025’s Humanitarian Crash in Nine Charts,” Sam Vigersky, CFR 
• “DHS warns of increasing trend in domestic partner poisonings,” Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin, ABC News 

US Biodefense and Domestic Preparedness 

• “How Donald Trump Can Fix US Biodefense,” Robert C. O’Brien, The National Interest 
• “Respiratory PPE as Day-Zero Defense Against Biothreats,” Eva Siegmann, Council on Strategic Risks 
• “Strengthening biosecurity and biosafety oversight: CEPI publishes its first Biosecurity Policy,” CEPI 
• “Biosafety and Biosecurity: Comparing the U.S. and Selected G20 Members,” GAO 

Public Health Infrastructure and Trust 

• “Poll: Trust and Confidence in the CDC Remain at Low Point After Changes to Recommended Childhood Vaccines; More Say the Changes Will Hurt than Help Children’s Health,” KFF 
• “A ‘shadow CDC’ is scrambling to fill gaps in public health data,” Lauren J. Young, Edited by Tanya Lewis, Scientific American 
• “Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak,” Michelle R Smith and Ali Swenson, The Guardian 
• “New Poll: 9 in 10 Americans Say Policymakers Must Protect Vaccine Access,” Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease 
• “4 times as many measles cases in a few weeks than US typically averages in a whole year: CDC,” Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News 

Science Workforce & Research Funding 

• “U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office,” Monica Hersher, Jeffrey Mervis 
• “Trump tried to gut science research funding. Courts and Congress have rebuffed him,” Evan Bush, NBC News 

NEW: Atlantic Council’s Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins 

GMU’s Biodefense Director Gregory Koblentz will serve as a panelist at the Atlantic Council’s Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense latest meeting, mapping the threat picture of biological toxins and its implications for future biological attacks. He will be speaking on the spectrum of toxin threats, including foodborne exposure, state-sponsored assassination, terrorism, synthetic production, and warfare. This meeting of the Commission will be focused on ease of availability and control of ricin, botulinum, and other toxins, making them attractive weapons for use by U.S. adversaries, and the unique scientific challenges inherent in detecting, characterizing, and attributing toxin attacks. The discussions will also touch upon the vulnerability of food and agricultural systems to toxin threats and the measures required to secure the supply chain from intentional adulteration.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 26, at 10:00 AM ET. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: World Changing Innovations in Science & Technology Summit 

From the National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC): “The National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC), a component of the Uniformed Services University that supports the Department of War and other federal partners, will host the World Changing Innovations in Science and Technology Summit. The S&T Summit is organized into four modules, focused on key S&T domains: biotechnology, advanced computing, space technology, and nuclear energy. Our Nation’s leading subject matter experts from government, academia, industry, and federally funded laboratories will present on cutting-edge developments and emerging risks from a medical and public health perspective.  

Attendees are welcomed from Federal, state, and local governments, industry, academia, and other non-governmental organizations to explore emerging innovations in science and technology, assess their potential threats and opportunities.  

This event will take place from March 9-20, in Bethesda, Maryland. Learn more and register here.  

The 100 Days Mission: Defending Against Pandemic and Biological Risks in a Fragmented World  

From Foreign Policy: “The 100 Days Mission—led by CEPI and endorsed by G7 and G20 leaders—is establishing tools and capabilities to ensure that safe and effective vaccines can be developed within 100 days of a new viral threat. What will it take to embed these capabilities into national security strategies, defense planning, and sustained financing—before the next crisis tests the system? Held against the backdrop of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Foreign Policy and CEPI will host an official side event to examine how cross-sector partnerships, shared planning, and coordinated financing can close preparedness gaps and strengthen collective defenses against future biological threats.”  

This event will be held in-person in Munich, Germany, on February 14 from 9:00 – 10:30 am CET. Learn more and register here. 

EBSA – Cyberbiosecurity: A Unique Marriage of Biosecurity and Information Systems 

From EBSA: “Increasing reliance on the internet and technology in research and biomedical laboratories has opened these organizations up to increased focus for cyberattacks. These attacks may be perpetrated by external actors or individuals internal to the organization (purposefully or accidentally) and can take advantage of a lack of knowledge by research staff about phishing, access control best practices, and network security especially of research instrumentation, automated laboratory equipment, and building automation and control systems that may be connected to the internet/cloud. This talk will introduce the types of cyberthreats that have been commonly perpetrated against research and biomedical organizations. We will discuss existing guidance documents from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that address critical infrastructure cybersecurity and information systems security controls and how they can be applied to all biomedical research organizations (BSL-1 through BSL-4). Finally, we will explain some of the best practices described in these documents relating to identity management and access control, awareness and training, and data security to give biorisk management and laboratory personnel a better working understanding of cyberbiosecurity.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 19 from 14:00 – 16:00 CET. Learn more and register here. 

Public Health on the Pitch: Radiation Readiness for the FIFA World Cup 

From ASTHO: “Join ASTHO for a webinar focused on public health preparedness and response related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This session will highlight response operations to a radiological incident during a mass gathering. The discussion will be led by Dr. Ziad Kazzi, an emergency physician and medical toxicologist with internationally recognized expertise in poisoning and radiation toxicology. 

Dr. Kazzi will address key response considerations from a health department and public health lens, including triage, contamination management, radiation safety roles and detection assets, community reception centers, medical countermeasures, and more. There will be time for a Q&A session to address questions from attendees.” 

This event will take place virtually on February 24 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

 Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum 

From Johns Hopkins: “Join us in person for the Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum! This Forum convenes state and local public health officials, federal agency representatives, Congressional staff, veterinarians, diagnosticians, and leading scientific researchers to address the urgent challenges posed by H5N1 and future influenza threats. H5N1 already poses a major threat to the nation’s livestock and poultry industries. If it were to acquire the ability to spread from person to person, there would be increased challenges for detection, containment, and response. This Forum will focus on actionable, science-based recommendations and foster cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen preparedness and response capacity across the One Health spectrum.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 3 from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

Nexus Series: AIxBio: Workshop 2 – Strategies for Responding to Exponential AI and Biotechnology Growth  

From AI for SynBio: “Background: The ever-increasing acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) and biological design tools has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security and public health. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focus. Significant effort has already been made to raise awareness of this challenge, but additional discussion is necessary to maintain pace with the speed of evolving technology. The second workshop in this series will build upon insights from our first workshop and take place over two days.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on March 4-5, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: 9th World One Health Congress – Calls for Abstracts 

From Global One Health Community: “The One Health Congress invites abstracts, session concept notes, and workshop proposals addressing innovative research, policy, and practice across human-animal-plant-environment interfaces. Submissions are welcomed under the following themes: 1) Climate change, environment, and ecosystems health; 2) Biodiversity, wildlife, and pathogen interfaces; 3) Food systems, agriculture, and plant health; 4) Pathogens, microbiome, and intervention strategies; 5) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); 6) Data, technology and innovative analytics; 7) Knowledge, education and communities; 8) Governance, policy and legal frameworks, 9) One Health implementation and financing; 10) Preparedness, resilience and economic evaluation; 11) Biosecurity, biosafety and global health security; 12) The critical role of the private sector in One Health policy.  

Learn more and submit here.  

NEW: Far-UVC Program Officer at Blueprint Biosecurity – Job Opening  

From Blueprint Biosecurity: “Blueprint Biosecurity is seeking a full-time Far-UVC Program Officer to be a driving force behind our far-UVC program. As Far-UVC Program Officer, you will help address these research gaps to transform early-stage potential into deployable protection that could save lives during the next pandemic. Reporting directly to the Built Environment Program Director, this role will shape and execute our far-UVC strategy, with a particular emphasis on directing research and funding to advance far-UVC science and technology, and communicating our work to partners, experts, and the general public.” 

The deadline to submit applications is February 20. Learn more and submit your application here. 

NEW: The Youth for Biosecurity Initiative 2026 – Applications Open! 

 From the United Nations: “The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in Geneva is delighted to launch a call for applications to the Fourth Edition of the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship.  

Since its establishment in 2019, the programme has engaged over 140 young scientists through an innovative and engaging training course. 20 competitively selected young scientists from the Global South will take part in a series of interactive webinars prior to an in-person visit during the meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in Geneva in August 2026.   

Please note all successful applicants will be responsible for attaining any necessary travel documents to attend the in-person visit in Switzerland, including visas. Travel tickets in economy class and a daily subsistence allowance will be provided to successful applicants for the official dates of the trip in line with UN rules and regulations. 

The deadline for applications is March 5. Learn more and apply here. 

One Health Commission Board of Directors – Call for Applications 

From OHC: “The One Health Commission (OHC) is pleased to announce an open call for board members to join our governing body. As we implement our new constitution and bylaws, we are seeking distinguished experts who embody collaborative, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches for addressing shared health challenges across human, animal, environmental, and plant health domains.” 

The deadline to submit applications is February 15. Learn more and submit your application here. 

OPCW Senior Science Policy Officer (AI, Data Sciences and Knowledge Management) (P-4) – Job Opening 

From OPCW: “The Office of Strategy and Policy (OSP) develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as incidents of chemical weapons use, non-routine missions, chemical security, engagement with international organisations and chemical industry, education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology. This role in OSP ensures that the Science Policy Adviser is provided with expert advice on advancements in science and technology, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sciences, through continuous monitoring and provision of specialised advice on applicability to the work of the OPCW. The individual will also help lead, coordinate, and integrate AI and data science-driven approaches and solutions to and in the work of the Secretariat. This role will also take the lead on the Organisation’s knowledge management activities, with a focus on the development and implementation of knowledge management systems and the development and application of digital tools to knowledge management processes.” 

The deadline to apply is February 18. Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights new bipartisan policy recommendations for strengthening defenses against biological threats, rising measles and avian influenza outbreaks, politicized vaccine changes in the U.S. and abroad, and emerging risks at the intersection of science and security.

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?  

GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government has an upcoming recruitment event: 

• Virtual MS of Biodefense on Wednesday, February 11 (noon to 1:00 pm ET) 

A Bipartisan Plan for Strengthening Defenses Against Biological Threats 

The CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security Working Group on Biodefense has released a new report, Protecting Americans from Biological Threats, that provides a prioritized set of practical, near-term recommendations for the U.S. government to modernize biosurveillance, ensure biosafety and biosecurity, reverse the decline of the biodefense enterprise, and strengthen response and recovery. These recommendations were developed through intensive deliberations with working group members over the past four months and endorsed by a bipartisan group of over 40 expert signatories. Dr. Gregory Koblentz, Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program, was a member of the working group and one of the signatories to the final report. Sophia Hirshfield, MS Biodefense ’23, a research associate at the Center for Global Health at CSIS, was one of the report’s co-authors. 

When Politics Overrides Public Health: Implications for Vaccine Access and Trust 

By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor of the Pandora Report 

Recent reports highlight how declining public trust in vaccines and politicized health policies are contributing to serious public health risks in the U.S. and abroad. South Carolina is currently experiencing the largest measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, following the widespread success of the highly effective 2-dose MMR vaccination program that once ended sustained transmission. With 789 reported cases and at least 18 adults and children hospitalized, this outbreak has now surpassed a similar surge in West Texas last year and reflects a broader national pattern of declining vaccination rates and growing vaccine hesitancy.  

At the federal level, vaccine policy has become increasingly entangled with political motivations. The Trump administration has pressured Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, to phase out vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines that has long been proven safe, in order to obtain continued funding. Despite extensive scientific evidence rejecting links between thimerosal and autism, this decision reflects persistent and damaging anti-vaccine rhetoric currently being spread across the U.S. political environment. Multi-dose vaccines for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, rely on thimerosal to prevent contamination and maintain vaccine effectiveness, particularly in low-income and humanitarian settings. These recent actions from HHS mark yet another attempt by the U.S. government to undermine public confidence in global immunization programs and limit access to lifesaving vaccines worldwide.  

Internationally, U.S. health diplomacy is also facing growing resistance. As part of the America First Global Health Strategy, the administration has negotiated approximately $11 billion in bilateral aid agreements with more than 15 African countries, tying health funding to political, commercial, and regulatory conditions. Governments and civil society groups in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, amongst others, have raised concerns about religious bias, data privacy, regulatory sovereignty, and excessive U.S. influence over domestic health systems. Critics argue that these agreements weaken national autonomy and multilateral cooperation, while prioritizing U.S. commercial interests. Taken together, these developments illustrate how politicized health governance, both domestically and internationally, is reshaping vaccine access, public trust, and global health security.  

Further Reading:  

• “UI researcher loses grant funding amid NIH shakeup,” Avery Paterson, The Daily Illini 
• “WHO chief calls 2025 a year of ‘stark contrasts’ as landmark health deals met funding cuts,” Beyza Binnur Donmez, AA 
• “Democrats just handed RFK Jr. billions more than he asked for. It was a big risk,” Kelly Hooper 

Colorado Declares Disaster After Bird Flu Hits Major Poultry Farm 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Colorado confirmed its first commercial poultry outbreak of avian influenza since mid-2024 following detection at a large egg-laying facility in Weld County. Colorado State University laboratories initially detected the virus and it was subsequently confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. The outbreak prompted a verbal disaster declaration from the governor’s office, with state officials emphasizing that the declaration allows agencies to better coordinate mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.  

The affected Colorado facility houses approximately 1.33 million chickens, many of which will be culled to prevent the virus from spreading to other farms or wild bird populations. Egg industry representatives have indicated it is too early to determine whether the outbreak will affect consumer prices.  

USDA Awards $2.5M for Feedable Avian Flu Vaccine Development 

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to support funding for “innovative projects” aimed at combating HPAI. The “HPAI Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge”, first launched in early 2025, provides $100 million in investments for research into prevention, transmission, biosecurity, and vaccine development related to bird flu. Although no avian influenza vaccine has yet been authorized for widespread poultry use in the United States, the initiative reflects growing concern over the potential economic and biosecurity impacts of recurring outbreaks. This week, Binghamton University in New York announced a $2.5 million award from the fund to develop a yeast-based, feedable vaccine for poultry. The approach aims to be more affordable, shelf-stable, and easier to distribute than existing vaccine technologies, potentially strengthening outbreak prevention efforts in the future. 

Iceland Detects H5N1 in Wild Birds 

Icelandic authorities confirmed detection of H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds in the capital area, marking the country’s first identification of this strain since 2023. Officials believe the virus may have arrived via migratory birds, as both the United States and Europe battle ongoing outbreaks. “At this stage of the case, little is known about the origin of the infection, but it can be assumed that it recently arrived in the country with migratory birds or that it arrived last fall and remained undetected until now. Genetic studies of the virus will be carried out and may shed light on whether it is of European origin or from North America,” Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) said in a public statement. Poultry farmers and bird owners have been advised to strengthen biosecurity measures, while the public is encouraged to report sick or dead birds. 

Further Reading:  

• “Poland hit by worst bird flu outbreak in 2 years,” Vladislav Vorotnikov, Poultry World 
• “H5N1 bird flu outbreak enters fourth year in U.S.,” Patrick Cooley, Farm and Dairy 
• “Columbia to Test New Strategy for Curbing Bird Flu on Poultry Farms,” Columbia University 
• “South Korea imports eggs to restore avian flu-hit supply,” Jackie Linden, WATTPoultry 

In Other News 

AI, Automation and Engineering Biology 

• “Bridging the Digital to Physical Divide: Evaluating LLM Agents on Benchtop DNA Acquisition,”  Kyle Brady, Jeffrey Lee, Dawid Maciorowski, Alyssa Worland, Jordan Despanie, Bria Persaud, Barbara Del Castello, Henry Alexander Bradley, Grant Ellison, Charles Teague, et al., RAND 
• “Revolution or Evolution? How AI is Reshaping the WMD Proliferation Landscape,” Natasha Bajema, Mara Zarka, and Minh Ly, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)  
• “A survey into the use of AI in Engineering Biology,” Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 
• “What the Rise of AI Scientists May Mean for Human Research,” Claudia Lopez Lloreda, Undark  

Biosecurity, Dual-Use and Laboratory Risks  

• “1 person is arrested after a suspected biolab is found at Las Vegas home,” AP News 
• “LVMPD and FBI Provide Update on Joint Investigation,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department  
• “1,000 samples sent for testing after possible biological lab found inside Las Vegas home: FBI,” Aaron Katersky, Sasha Pezenik, Alex Stone, Jack Date and Josh Margolin, ABC News 
• “Gain-of-function virology as dual-use research of concern: Variations of securitization in the United States,” Alexander Kelle and Malcolm Danda, Politics Life Science 
• “Foreign entities using ‘academic cooperation’ as cover to illicitly obtain China’s biological samples: Ministry of State Security,” Global Times 
• “Creating Enforceable Biosecurity Standards for Nucleic Acid Providers,” Jacob Beal and Tessa Alexanian, Wiley 
• “Business owners tied to home bio lab probe face federal case for test kit scheme,” Spencer Levering, Las Vegas Review-Journal 
• “Cotton, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Establish Federal Biotech Security Framework,” Tom Cotton 
• “Toxic Lies: Why Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Disinformation Matters,” Katy Carroll, Mariana Diaz-Garcia, and Francesco Marelli, Skeptical Inquirer 
• “Pressure mounts to probe alleged SAF chemical attacks,” The Sudan Times 

Pandemic Preparedness, Public Health and Surveillance  

• “The Secret Weapon in Canada’s Sewers,” Eric Arts, Maclean’s 
• “The Next Crisis Won’t Wait: Why Pandemic Preparedness Is a Business Imperative,” Nathan Paxton and Rachel Staley Grant, NTI  
• “Defending Against the Next Bioweapon: the mRNA Imperative,” Jeff Coller, War on the Rocks 
• “NYC Health + Hospitals Launches Special Pathogens Biopreparedness Map to Monitor and Prepare for Outbreaks,” NYC Health and Hospitals 
• “Return of the pox: How smallpox eradication cleared the way for new threats,” Maeva Cullinan, The Telegraph 

Poisoned Weapons: Toxic Ammunition (American Weapons of Mass Destruction)

Reid Kirby’s new book, Toxic Ammunition is the second installment of a four-part exploration into America’s poisoned weapons. This book is a deep dive into the fascinating history of aromatic carbamates, a class of chemical compounds weaponized during World War II. This book explores their origins, beginning with the discovery of physostigmine in West Africa, which advanced the understanding of neurotransmission, and transitions into their transformation into nerve agents by global powers. The narrative follows the secretive research of the United States’ Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD), uncovering their pursuit of toxic ammunition, the mysterious Atoll Problem, and the development of specialized poisoned bullets and shot. With detailed analysis of scientific breakthroughs, logistical challenges, and military applications, this work presents a gripping account of how science intersected with warfare. By blending military history, chemistry, and ethical considerations, this book offers a view of the enduring impact of chemical weapons technologies on modern warfare and society. Perfect for history and science enthusiasts alike.  

This book is available in hard copy and eBook formats here. 

NEW: Strengthening and Modernizing Biosafety Oversight: Region 5 Listening Session 

From the NIH: The NIH is hosting a virtual listening session that brings together federal science policy leadership and biosafety professionals to solicit stakeholder input on improving the nation’s biosafety framework. Most of the hour-plus meeting is dedicated to oral comments from stakeholders, signaling an emphasis on community feedback from laboratory safety officers, institutional biosafety committees, industry representatives, and other subject matter experts. The virtual format reflects ongoing NIH efforts to engage diverse voices in shaping stronger, more responsive biosafety oversight mechanisms  

This event will be held virtually on February 12 from 3:00 – 4:15 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: Public Health on the Pitch: Radiation Readiness for the FIFA World Cup 

From ASTHO: “Join ASTHO for a webinar focused on public health preparedness and response related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This session will highlight response operations to a radiological incident during a mass gathering. The discussion will be led by Dr. Ziad Kazzi, an emergency physician and medical toxicologist with internationally recognized expertise in poisoning and radiation toxicology. 

Dr. Kazzi will address key response considerations from a health department and public health lens, including triage, contamination management, radiation safety roles and detection assets, community reception centers, medical countermeasures, and more. There will be time for a Q&A session to address questions from attendees.” 

This event will take place virtually on February 24 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

The 100 Days Mission: Defending Against Pandemic and Biological Risks in a Fragmented World  

From Foreign Policy: “The 100 Days Mission—led by CEPI and endorsed by G7 and G20 leaders—is establishing tools and capabilities to ensure that safe and effective vaccines can be developed within 100 days of a new viral threat. What will it take to embed these capabilities into national security strategies, defense planning, and sustained financing—before the next crisis tests the system? Held against the backdrop of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Foreign Policy and CEPI will host an official side event to examine how cross-sector partnerships, shared planning, and coordinated financing can close preparedness gaps and strengthen collective defenses against future biological threats.”  

This event will be held in-person in Munich, Germany, on February 14 from 9:00 – 10:30 am CET. Learn more and register here. 

EBSA – Cyberbiosecurity: A Unique Marriage of Biosecurity and Information Systems 

From EBSA: “Increasing reliance on the internet and technology in research and biomedical laboratories has opened these organizations up to increased focus for cyberattacks. These attacks may be perpetrated by external actors or individuals internal to the organization (purposefully or accidentally) and can take advantage of a lack of knowledge by research staff about phishing, access control best practices, and network security especially of research instrumentation, automated laboratory equipment, and building automation and control systems that may be connected to the internet/cloud. This talk will introduce the types of cyberthreats that have been commonly perpetrated against research and biomedical organizations. We will discuss existing guidance documents from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that address critical infrastructure cybersecurity and information systems security controls and how they can be applied to all biomedical research organizations (BSL-1 through BSL-4). Finally, we will explain some of the best practices described in these documents relating to identity management and access control, awareness and training, and data security to give biorisk management and laboratory personnel a better working understanding of cyberbiosecurity.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 19 from 14:00 – 16:00 CET. Learn more and register here. 

Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins 

From the Atlantic Council: “The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council will host its latest meeting, mapping the threat picture of biological toxins and its implications for future biological attacks. Easy availability and control of ricin, botulinum and other toxins make them attractive weapons for use by US adversaries. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the historical and evolving threat of biological toxins and the unique scientific challenges inherent in detecting, characterizing, and attributing toxin attacks. The discussions will also touch upon the vulnerability of food and agricultural systems to toxin threats and the measures required to secure the supply chain from intentional adulteration.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 26 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET. More details to come.  

 Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum 

From Johns Hopkins: “Join us in person for the Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum! This Forum convenes state and local public health officials, federal agency representatives, Congressional staff, veterinarians, diagnosticians, and leading scientific researchers to address the urgent challenges posed by H5N1 and future influenza threats. H5N1 already poses a major threat to the nation’s livestock and poultry industries. If it were to acquire the ability to spread from person to person, there would be increased challenges for detection, containment, and response. This Forum will focus on actionable, science-based recommendations and foster cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen preparedness and response capacity across the One Health spectrum.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 3 from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

Nexus Series: AIxBio: Workshop 2 – Strategies for Responding to Exponential AI and Biotechnology Growth  

From AI for SynBio: “Background: The ever-increasing acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) and biological design tools has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security and public health. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focus. Significant effort has already been made to raise awareness of this challenge, but additional discussion is necessary to maintain pace with the speed of evolving technology. The second workshop in this series will build upon insights from our first workshop and take place over two days.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on March 4-5, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: PPE Program Officer at Blueprint Biosecurity – Job Opening 

From Blueprint Biosecurity: “Blueprint Biosecurity is seeking a full-time PPE Program Officer to join our PPE team. Reporting directly to the PPE Program Director, this role focuses on applied research, roadmapping, and strategic grantmaking to advance the availability and accessibility of highly protective respiratory PPE in future outbreaks. Responsibilities include creating research-backed reports and materials, supporting our grantmaking portfolio, and helping to scope new program directions. 
 
This role offers significant autonomy over high-impact work — from shaping our research program to influencing the deployment of millions in philanthropic funding.” 

The deadline to apply is February 11. Learn more and submit your applications here. 

One Health Commission Board of Directors – Call for Applications 

From OHC: “The One Health Commission (OHC) is pleased to announce an open call for board members to join our governing body. As we implement our new constitution and bylaws, we are seeking distinguished experts who embody collaborative, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches for addressing shared health challenges across human, animal, environmental, and plant health domains.” 

The deadline to submit applications is February 15. Learn more and submit your application here. 

OPCW Senior Science Policy Officer (AI, Data Sciences and Knowledge Management) (P-4) – Job Opening 

From OPCW: “The Office of Strategy and Policy (OSP) develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as incidents of chemical weapons use, non-routine missions, chemical security, engagement with international organisations and chemical industry, education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology. This role in OSP ensures that the Science Policy Adviser is provided with expert advice on advancements in science and technology, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sciences, through continuous monitoring and provision of specialised advice on applicability to the work of the OPCW. The individual will also help lead, coordinate, and integrate AI and data science-driven approaches and solutions to and in the work of the Secretariat. This role will also take the lead on the Organisation’s knowledge management activities, with a focus on the development and implementation of knowledge management systems and the development and application of digital tools to knowledge management processes.” 

The deadline to apply is February 18. Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

 Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights the OPCW findings to address threat of chemical weapons by Syrian regime in 2016; the 2026 Doomsday Clock update that shows the growing urgency surrounding nuclear, AI, and biological threats; the first H5N1 detection in European cattle and ongoing avian influenza collaborations; U.S. national security implications for emerging biotechnology; and the latest guidance on managing biological AI tools. 

Thinking About Graduate School?  

George Mason University is hosting Mason Square Open House to allow prospective students to explore the different degree programs offered at the master’s, doctoral, and professional levels, as well as graduate-level certificates.  

• Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 5:30 pm to 7:15 pm EST 

Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room 

3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201, US 

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?  

GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government has an upcoming recruitment event: 

• Virtual MS of Biodefense on Wednesday, February 11 (noon to 1:00 pm ET) 

Why Biotechnology is Shaping U.S. National Security  

By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor of the Pandora Report 

Biotechnology is no longer limited to laboratories or the healthcare industry. As biological systems converge with data, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber, and advanced manufacturing, they now serve as dual-use strategic assets, driving both economic growth and innovation while also introducing new national and biosecurity risks. Strengthening governance frameworks, public-private partnerships, and securing biomanufacturing and data ecosystems will be essential to sustaining U.S. technical leadership and national resilience. 

Strengthening Global Norms Against Chemical Weapons Use  

On January 21, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) released its fifth report by the Investigation and Identification Team, “Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use,” examining the 2016 chlorine attack in Kafr Zeita, Syria. The Secretariat concluded that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that the Syrian Arab Air Forces were responsible for the chemical attack.  

The Hill reported that justice for the victims and survivors carried out by the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is now closer than ever. In an opinion piece, George Mason University Biodefense Director Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz emphasized that the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 represents an unprecedented opportunity to pursue accountability. He stressed that holding the Assad regime responsible for its use of chemical weapons is not only a matter of justice, but a critical step to strengthen the global norm against chemical weapons and deter future leaders from their use.   

THE OPCW’s findings were supported by unprecedented cooperation from Syria’s new authorities, and reflects renewed international efforts to document past abuses, verify declarations, and advance accountability from State Parties under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).  

The Netherlands Confirms First Bird Flu Detection in European Cattle 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

European health authorities are on alert following the first documented detection of H5N1 antibodies in a Dutch dairy cow. Although H5N1 bird flu has been detected in many dairy herds across the United States since March 2024, this is the first detection in cattle outside the U.S.  

The discovery occurred in the Netherlands’ Friesland province after the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) was notified in late December 2025 that a cat tested positive for bird flu and subsequently died two days later. The cat was traced back to a particular dairy farm, and a random sample of the farm’s cows were screened for avian influenza on January 15, 2026. Screening revealed antibodies in milk samples from just one cow, indicating a previous infection in that animal, though no active virus or sick animals were detected on the farm. NVWA followed up on January 22nd to collect blood and milk samples from all cattle present. Again, no active avian influenza virus was detected; however, the results of the antibody tests are still pending. 

European Institutions Unite to Combat H5N1 Threat 

The Dutch cattle detection underscores growing concerns about H5N1’s expanding host range as each spillover event raises the possibility of viral adaptation that could increase the risk to humans. To address the rising threat posed by avian influenza, particularly in livestock species, a new, three-year international research project has been announced. Funded through the EU Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUPAHW), this initiative will be led by the University of Copenhagen and involve leading European institutions, including the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment in France, the University of Freiburg in Germany, and the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom. The project focuses on H5 avian influenza and will investigate viral genetics, assess mammalian host susceptibility with an emphasis on cattle and pigs, and evaluate immune response and vaccination strategies in animals.   

Further Reading:  

• “Study suggests pre-existing immunity to H5N1 avian flu varies by age, prior exposure,” Laine Bergeson, CIDRAP 
• “Genomic features associated with sustained mammalian transmission of avian influenza A viruses,” Ye, et al., Nature Microbiology  
• “Some vaccines are making progress in protecting vulnerable species,” Erin Garcia de Jesús, ScienceNews  
• “Are swans more likely to die from bird flu?” Galya Dimitrova, BBC 

2026 Doomsday Clock Statement: It is now 85 seconds to midnight 

From the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: “On January 27, 2026, the Doomsday Clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest the Clock has ever been to midnight in its history. The Bulletin’s Science and Security Board (SASB), which sets the Clock, called for urgent action to limit nuclear arsenals, create international guidelines on the use of AI, and form multilateral agreements to address global biological threats.”  

New Paper on Safeguarding the Responsible Use of Biological AI Tools  

In a new report, Sarah Carter and Greg Butchello from the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) have proposed a new, tiered, and managed access framework for biological AI tools. Their paper addresses the convergence of AI and life sciences, providing guidance on risk levels bio-design tools, criteria for user legitimacy, and practices for verifying users.  

Further Reading:  

• “Living Framework and Guidelines for Information Disclosure in Biosecurity,” Jay Atanda, Matthew Nicotra, Benjamin Sperisen, Elika Somani, and Henry H. Willis, RAND 
• “Why Biotechnology Is Central to U.S. National Security,”  Bens Lens 
• “The failing economics of biosecurity,” Dirk Van Der Kley, Bio Brawl 
• “AI-powered military neurotech: Mind enhancement or control?” Aliya Sternstein, Military Times 

In Other News 

Global Health and WHO Developments 

• “Joint Statement by Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy on the Termination of U.S. Membership in the World Health Organization (WHO),” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
• “US withdraws from the World Health Organization,” Jennifer Rigby and Emma Farge, Reuters 
• “WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States,” World Health Organization 
• “As U.S. prepares to exit WHO, it is stiffing the agency on a large bill,” Helen Branswell, StatNews 
• “California becomes first state to join WHO disease network after US exit,” Joseph Choi, The Hill  

Pandemic Preparedness and Bioethics  

• “Fifth Implementation Report,” International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat 
• “Report of the International Bioethics Committee (IBC) on the ethical issues of synthetic biology: research, development and application,” International Bioethics Committee 
• “William H. Foege, Key Figure in the Eradication of Smallpox, Dies at 89,” Keith Schneider and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, NY Times 
• “Boiled pangolin for lunch? The rampant trade that could spark a new pandemic,” Sarah Newey, The Telegraph 

Genetics, Ethics and Misuse of Science 

• “Genetic Data From Over 20,000 U.S. Children Misused for ‘Race Science’,” Mike McIntire, NY Times 
• “Deadly ‘reverse’ cells can destroy us unless scientists stop them,” Vaughn S. Cooper, Scientific American 
• “Misinformation Studies Meets the Raw Milk Renaissance,” Renee DiResta, Lawfare 
• “Rejecting Decades of Science, Vaccine Panel Chair Says Polio and Other Shots Should Be Optional,” Apoorva Mandavilli, NY Times 

Podcast: Behind the scenes of “A House of Dynamite” George Mason’s Access to Excellence 

NEW: The 100 Days Mission: Defending Against Pandemic and Biological Risks in a Fragmented World  

From Foreign Policy: “The 100 Days Mission—led by CEPI and endorsed by G7 and G20 leaders—is establishing tools and capabilities to ensure that safe and effective vaccines can be developed within 100 days of a new viral threat. What will it take to embed these capabilities into national security strategies, defense planning, and sustained financing—before the next crisis tests the system? Held against the backdrop of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Foreign Policy and CEPI will host an official side event to examine how cross-sector partnerships, shared planning, and coordinated financing can close preparedness gaps and strengthen collective defenses against future biological threats.”  

This event will be held in-person in Munich, Germany, on February 14 from 9:00 – 10:30 am CET. Learn more and register here. 

EBSA – Cyberbiosecurity: A Unique Marriage of Biosecurity and Information Systems 

From EBSA: “Increasing reliance on the internet and technology in research and biomedical laboratories has opened these organizations up to increased focus for cyberattacks. These attacks may be perpetrated by external actors or individuals internal to the organization (purposefully or accidentally) and can take advantage of a lack of knowledge by research staff about phishing, access control best practices, and network security especially of research instrumentation, automated laboratory equipment, and building automation and control systems that may be connected to the internet/cloud. This talk will introduce the types of cyberthreats that have been commonly perpetrated against research and biomedical organizations. We will discuss existing guidance documents from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that address critical infrastructure cybersecurity and information systems security controls and how they can be applied to all biomedical research organizations (BSL-1 through BSL-4). Finally, we will explain some of the best practices described in these documents relating to identity management and access control, awareness and training, and data security to give biorisk management and laboratory personnel a better working understanding of cyberbiosecurity.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 19 from 14:00 – 16:00 CET. Learn more and register here. 

Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins 

From the Atlantic Council: “The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council will host its latest meeting, mapping the threat picture of biological toxins and its implications for future biological attacks. Easy availability and control of ricin, botulinum and other toxins make them attractive weapons for use by US adversaries. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the historical and evolving threat of biological toxins and the unique scientific challenges inherent in detecting, characterizing, and attributing toxin attacks. The discussions will also touch upon the vulnerability of food and agricultural systems to toxin threats and the measures required to secure the supply chain from intentional adulteration.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 26 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET. More details to come.  

 Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum 

From Johns Hopkins: “Join us in person for the Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum! This Forum convenes state and local public health officials, federal agency representatives, Congressional staff, veterinarians, diagnosticians, and leading scientific researchers to address the urgent challenges posed by H5N1 and future influenza threats. H5N1 already poses a major threat to the nation’s livestock and poultry industries. If it were to acquire the ability to spread from person to person, there would be increased challenges for detection, containment, and response. This Forum will focus on actionable, science-based recommendations and foster cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen preparedness and response capacity across the One Health spectrum.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 3 from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

Nexus Series: AIxBio: Workshop 2 – Strategies for Responding to Exponential AI and Biotechnology Growth  

From AI for SynBio: “Background: The ever-increasing acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) and biological design tools has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security and public health. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focus. Significant effort has already been made to raise awareness of this challenge, but additional discussion is necessary to maintain pace with the speed of evolving technology. The second workshop in this series will build upon insights from our first workshop and take place over two days.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on March 4-5, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France, from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

One Health Commission Board of Directors – Call for Applications 

From OHC: “The One Health Commission (OHC) is pleased to announce an open call for board members to join our governing body. As we implement our new constitution and bylaws, we are seeking distinguished experts who embody collaborative, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches for addressing shared health challenges across human, animal, environmental, and plant health domains.” 

The deadline to submit applications is February 15. Learn more and submit your application here. 

OPCW Senior Science Policy Officer (AI, Data Sciences and Knowledge Management) (P-4) – Job Opening 

From OPCW: “The Office of Strategy and Policy (OSP) develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as incidents of chemical weapons use, non-routine missions, chemical security, engagement with international organisations and chemical industry, education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology. This role in OSP ensures that the Science Policy Adviser is provided with expert advice on advancements in science and technology, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sciences, through continuous monitoring and provision of specialised advice on applicability to the work of the OPCW. The individual will also help lead, coordinate, and integrate AI and data science-driven approaches and solutions to and in the work of the Secretariat. This role will also take the lead on the Organisation’s knowledge management activities, with a focus on the development and implementation of knowledge management systems and the development and application of digital tools to knowledge management processes.” 

The deadline to apply is February 18. Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here. 

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue highlights the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and its implications for global health and biodefense, ongoing H5N1 outbreaks in the U.S. and Europe, GMU’s role in dual-use research training, and global partnership CBRN updates.  

Thinking About Graduate School?  

George Mason University is hosting Mason Square Open House to allow prospective students to explore the different degree programs offered at the master’s, doctoral, and professional levels, as well as graduate-level certificates.  

• Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 5:30 pm to 7:15 pm EST 

Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room 

3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201, US 

Thinking about Getting a Master’s in Biodefense?  

GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government has an upcoming recruitment event: 

• Virtual MS of Biodefense on Wednesday, February 11 (noon to 1:00 pm ET) 

U.S. Withdrawal from WHO Signals Shift in Global Health and Biodefense Posture 

By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor of the Pandora Report 

The U.S. officially withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday, a move with implications that will shake up U.S. health and global health governance. President Trump initiated the withdrawal process on the first day of his second presidency in 2025, via an executive order. However, under U.S. law, the U.S. has exited with unpaid financial contributions to the tune of $278 million for the 2024-2025 period. On Thursday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson cited dissatisfaction with WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for their departure.  

These developments coincide with the release of a compromise FY2026 foreign assistance appropriations bill by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The bill allocates roughly $50 billion for foreign assistance – nearly $20 billion above the administration’s budget request, though still representing a 16% cut from the previous fiscal year. Global health programs emerged as relative winners, retaining more than $9.4 billion in funding for priorities including child survival, immunization, public health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention, and humanitarian assistance. The bill also included language from Congress directing the administration to manage a transition of HIV programs under the “America First” global health policy, signaling pressure for program evolution and congressional scrutiny. 

Domestically, the CDC deputy director downplayed the significance of the loss of U.S. measles elimination status, framing it as a “cost of doing business” amid increased international travel and ongoing vaccine skepticism. Measles elimination status is lost when a country is unable to halt disease transmission following an imported case. The CDC is working with states to help quell these outbreaks, with some transmission occurring in communities where parents have chosen not to vaccinate their children, citing personal freedoms. “As CDC, it is also our responsibility and our goal to support these communities in any way that we can to minimize the effects that measles would have, especially on the pediatric population,” Ralph Abraham, former Louisiana surgeon general. Abraham says he and HHS Secretary RFK Jr. have emphasized continued promotion of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination.  

Further Reading: 

• “Congress pushes back against Trump’s NIH cuts,” Peter Sullivan, Axios 
• “Pandemics & measles & AIDS: Oh my! Where Trump-Kennedy public health policy will lead,” Erik English, Matt Field, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 
• “One Year After Texas Measles Outbreak Began, Experts Consider Another Grim Milestone,” NYTimes 
• “HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened,” Katherine Eban, Rolling Stone 
• “US science after a year of Trump,” Max Kozlov, Jeff Tollefson, and Dan Garisto, Nature  

Global Partnership to Prevent and Mitigate CBRN and Biothreats 

The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction is a G7-led international initiative aimed at preventing state and non-state proliferation of and mitigating threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons.  

• 2025 Global Partnership Annual Programming Annex: In 2025, GP members delivered 344 WMD threat reduction projects across 158 countries, totaling nearly US$3.13 billion in value. 
• Canada’s G7 Presidency Updates: GP members convened in Vancouver, Canada from November 19-21 for the final Global Partnership Working Group meeting under Canada’s G7. Key outcomes included the adoption of revised biological and chemical security programming strategies (GP Biosecurity Deliverables and GP Chemical Security Strategic Vision); the adoption of a new set of GP CBRN Deliverables addressing WMD disinformation challenges, strategic trade controls, and WMD-related technologies; and participation in a Global Forum to Prevent Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism side event.  
• INTERPOL released two new papers – “Challenges and Gaps in Bioterrorism’s Detection and Investigation” and “Strengthening Biosecurity at the Health and Security Interface” – highlighting gaps in bioterrorism detection and investigation and underscoring the importance of stronger coordination between public health, law enforcement, and security sectors.   
• WOAH release of The Fever short film on deliberate disease events: With support from Canada, the World Organisation for Animal Health launched “The Fever,” a short film on deliberate disease events, exploring how a bioterrorism attack could unfold and emphasizing the importance of coordinated, multisectoral prevention, detection and response.  

GMU Expertise Supporting WHO Training on Dual-Use Research and Biosecurity  

GMU’s Biodefense Director, Dr. Gregory Koblentz, has contributed to the development of a new training course with the World Health Organization (WHO) on ‘Dual-Use Research and the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences’ located on the WHO Academy Platform. Now available in French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian (with Portuguese forthcoming), the course examines dual-use research (DUR) issues and discusses ways to identify and mitigate potential biorisks as part of a multisectoral and cooperative approach across One Health, promoting the responsible use of the life sciences. Developed with contributions from international experts, the training aims to build awareness and capacity to prevent the misuse of biological research while advancing scientific innovation.  

Avian Influenza Continues to Impact Poultry Industries Across U.S. and Europe 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to impact commercial poultry operations across the United States, with significant outbreaks reported in Kansas, Minnesota, Delaware, and Georgia since the start of the new year. Kansas has been the hardest hit thus far in 2026 with over 400,000 birds affected. Meanwhile, Delaware’s Kent County reported loss of 147,900 birds at a commercial broiler operation, while Georgia’s Walker County recorded 71,300 infected birds at a breeder facility. Smaller detections have also been reported in Colorado, North Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas and Oregon.  

On January 16, Minnesota reported an outbreak in commercial turkey meat birds affecting just over 250,000 birds. Amidst claims of alleged fraud, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a blanket freeze in USDA financial awards to Minnesota, causing temporary loss of funding to University of Minnesota’s Poultry Testing Laboratory, a vital diagnostic resource for the state’s poultry industry. After supporters requested an exemption on January 15, they were informed that the facility had already been included in a reversal issued the day prior. Despite the uncertainty and rapid changes in federal support, the university-run lab remains committed to providing surveillance of and testing for avian influenza and other poultry diseases for the state’s many producers.  

Europe is also experiencing a severe wave of H5N1 outbreaks. The continent recorded substantially more cases in 2025 than 2024, with 729 commercial poultry outbreaks compared to 451 the previous year. So far this year, 11 countries in the European Union and Great Britain have already reported 42 commercial poultry outbreaks, with Poland reporting the most farm detections (17), followed by 5 in each of France, Germany, and Hungary. Belgium’s West Flanders province faces unprecedented devastation, with over 5 million birds culled since early January. As West Flanders is responsible for 40% of Belgium’s poultry meat and egg production, the outbreaks have had a significant impact on the country’s supply of poultry products. Egg prices rose 25% domestically and supermarket rationing was instituted. Direct economic losses are estimated to reach €150 million by the end of the month. With dozens of outbreaks only three weeks into 2026, it remains to be seen whether this year may bring even greater challenges for Europe’s poultry industry despite continued diligent biosecurity and other countermeasures.  

Further Reading: 

• “USDA To Host Free Biosecurity Webinars for Dairy and Poultry Producers,” USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
• “Peregrine falcon monitoring remains relevant in Iowa due to threat of bird flu,” Cami Koons, The Gazette 
• “Why the poultry sector needs a global pact to fight avian influenza,” Gert Jan Oplaat, Poultry World 
• “H9N2 avian influenza cases reported in China,” Robert Herriman, Outbreak News Today 

In Other News 

Emerging Biosecurity Risks  

• “Mirror Life Threats: Risks & Governance Solutions — Explained,” Aparupa Sengupta, NTI  
• “Viruses that evolved on the space station and were sent back to Earth were more effective at killing bacteria,” Manuela Callari, Live Science 
• “Food is Key to National Security,” Sarah Hill, Cattle Business Weekly   

Global Health News 

• “China’s Evolving Global Health Leadership,” Gareth Jones, Zhida Shang, Ruby Wang, Think Global Health 
• “Africa CDC confirms cancellation of US-funded hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea-Bissau,” Agency Report, Premium Times Nigeria 

NEW: EBSA – Cyberbiosecurity: A Unique Marriage of Biosecurity and Information Systems 

From EBSA: “Increasing reliance on the internet and technology in research and biomedical laboratories has opened these organizations up to increased focus for cyberattacks. These attacks may be perpetrated by external actors or individuals internal to the organization (purposefully or accidentally) and can take advantage of a lack of knowledge by research staff about phishing, access control best practices, and network security especially of research instrumentation, automated laboratory equipment, and building automation and control systems that may be connected to the internet/cloud. This talk will introduce the types of cyberthreats that have been commonly perpetrated against research and biomedical organizations. We will discuss existing guidance documents from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that address critical infrastructure cybersecurity and information systems security controls and how they can be applied to all biomedical research organizations (BSL-1 through BSL-4). Finally, we will explain some of the best practices described in these documents relating to identity management and access control, awareness and training, and data security to give biorisk management and laboratory personnel a better working understanding of cyberbiosecurity.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 19 from 14:00 – 16:00 CET. Learn more and register here. 

 NEW: Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins 

From the Atlantic Council: “The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council will host its latest meeting, mapping the threat picture of biological toxins and its implications for future biological attacks. Easy availability and control of ricin, botulinum and other toxins make them attractive weapons for use by US adversaries. This meeting of the Commission will discuss the historical and evolving threat of biological toxins and the unique scientific challenges inherent in detecting, characterizing, and attributing toxin attacks. The discussions will also touch upon the vulnerability of food and agricultural systems to toxin threats and the measures required to secure the supply chain from intentional adulteration.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, February 26 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET. More details to come.  

NEW: Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum 

From Johns Hopkins: “Join us in person for the Johns Hopkins H5N1 Influenza Preparedness & Response Forum! This Forum convenes state and local public health officials, federal agency representatives, Congressional staff, veterinarians, diagnosticians, and leading scientific researchers to address the urgent challenges posed by H5N1 and future influenza threats. H5N1 already poses a major threat to the nation’s livestock and poultry industries. If it were to acquire the ability to spread from person to person, there would be increased challenges for detection, containment, and response. This Forum will focus on actionable, science-based recommendations and foster cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen preparedness and response capacity across the One Health spectrum.” 

This event will take place in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 3 from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

Nexus Series: AIxBio: Workshop 2 – Strategies for Responding to Exponential AI and Biotechnology Growth  

From AI for SynBio: “Background: The ever-increasing acceleration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) and biological design tools has transformed the technological landscape, enabling tremendous benefits and potential misuse that could massively impact national security and public health. Mitigating this risk will require collaboration across Government, Industry, and Academia with both technical and policy focus. Significant effort has already been made to raise awareness of this challenge, but additional discussion is necessary to maintain pace with the speed of evolving technology. The second workshop in this series will build upon insights from our first workshop and take place over two days.” 

This event will take place in Washington DC on March 4-5, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here.  

CBRNe Convergence Canada 2026

CBRNe World is hosting its fourth CBRNe Convergence Canada event this year in Toronto! This event will focus on a range of topical issues, including responding to potential CBRN incidents in the High North, response to terrorist attacks at major sporting events, and presentations on Canadian response capabilities, and the largest CBRN/Hazmat exhibition in Canada.

This event will take place April 13-15 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown. Learn more here, and stay tuned for forthcoming information about CBRNe Convergence this November in Knoxville, TN!

International Conference CBRNe Research & Innovation  

From CBRNE: “The last 40 years have demonstrated that both military and civilian populations could be exposed to highly hazardous CBRNE agents following conflicts, natural outbreaks and disasters, industrial incidents or terrorist attacks. Worldwide, researchers, responders and industrial capacities have been commited to provide adapted response to these challenges. The CBRNE Research & Innovation Conference includes workshops and demonstrations of innovative materials, technologies and procedures, according to the following themes: Detection (identification), Protection (decontamination, medical countermeasures), and risk & crisis management.  

This event will take place in Arcachon, France from May 19 – 21, 2026. Learn more and RSVP here. 

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: OPCW Senior Science Policy Officer (AI, Data Sciences and Knowledge Management) (P-4) – Job Opening 

From OPCW: “The Office of Strategy and Policy (OSP) develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as incidents of chemical weapons use, non-routine missions, chemical security, engagement with international organisations and chemical industry, education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology. This role in OSP ensures that the Science Policy Adviser is provided with expert advice on advancements in science and technology, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sciences, through continuous monitoring and provision of specialised advice on applicability to the work of the OPCW. The individual will also help lead, coordinate, and integrate AI and data science-driven approaches and solutions to and in the work of the Secretariat. This role will also take the lead on the Organisation’s knowledge management activities, with a focus on the development and implementation of knowledge management systems and the development and application of digital tools to knowledge management processes.” 

The deadline to apply is February 18. Learn more and submit your application here. 

OPCW Senior Science Policy Officer (Biochemistry) (P-4) – Job Opening 

From OPCW: “The Office of Strategy and Policy develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and senior management. The strategy and policy formulation and implementation relate to a range of cross-cutting topics, including incidents of chemical weapons use, engagement with chemical industry, chemical security, counterterrorism, and science and technology. 

The Senior Science Policy Officer will focus on monitoring advances in science and technology relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention, with particular emphasis on fields at the convergence of chemistry and biology. The incumbent of this post will keep pace with developments, analyse and understand their implications for implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and communicate this information to a range of internal and external stakeholders.” 

The deadline to apply is January 30. Learn more and submit your application here. 

Cyberbiosecurity Workshop Has Opened Its Call for Papers 

The IEEE Cyberbiosecurity Workshop has opened its Call for Papers for the Cyberbiosecurity Workshop. They invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leader to submit original work addressing the growing security challenges at the intersection of cybersecurity, biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, AI, and the bioeconomy. Topics include (but are not limited to) biological infrastructure security, AI safety in biotechnology, DNA synthesis and screening, neurotechnology security, agricultural cyberbiosecurity, data protection and privacy, regulatory frameworks, and real-world case studies.  

Paper submissions are due January 30, 2026, and accepted papers will be published in the IEEE Computer Society Press proceedings. Learn more and submit here.  

One Health Commission Board of Directors – Call for Applications 

From OHC: “The One Health Commission (OHC) is pleased to announce an open call for board members to join our governing body. As we implement our new constitution and bylaws, we are seeking distinguished experts who embody collaborative, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches for addressing shared health challenges across human, animal, environmental, and plant health domains.” 

The deadline to submit applications is February 15. Learn more and submit your application here. 

ICGEB Fellowships for Scientists in Biosecurity  

From the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: “With the co-funding of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), BWC ISU, the ICGEB offers early-career scientists from OECD/DAC countries a fellowship at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India, South Africa and at the ICGEB Regional Research Centre in China, to receive hands on training in life sciences and detection and response to biological threats.” 

The closing date for applications is March 31, 23:59 CET. Learn more and apply here.