Pandora Report 3.6.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

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:  

Figure 1. On Thursday, February 26, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council hosted its latest meeting, “Pick your poison: The enduring threat of biological toxins,” mapping the threat picture of biological toxins and its implications for future biological attacks. Image Credit: Rotten apple representing toxins via Pexels.  

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:  

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 31st and April 6th, 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 

US Public Health Leadership and Institutional Stability 

Chemical and Biological Weapons 

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.  

Pandora Report 2.13.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

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: 

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: 

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:  

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 31st and April 6th, 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 

US Biodefense and Domestic Preparedness 

Public Health Infrastructure and Trust 

Science Workforce & Research Funding 

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. 

Pandora Report 2.6.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

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: 

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 

Figure 1. Medical tools and vaccine arrangements. Credit: Pexels. 

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:  

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:  

In Other News 

AI, Automation and Engineering Biology 

Biosecurity, Dual-Use and Laboratory Risks  

Pandemic Preparedness, Public Health and Surveillance  

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. 

Pandora Report 1.30.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

 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.  

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: 

Figure 1. GMU Biodefense students attend the Capitol Hill Steering Committee event, “PAHPA turns 20: Reauthorizing Readiness for Domestic Health Security Threats,” at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC on January 21, 2026.   

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:  

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:  

In Other News 

Global Health and WHO Developments 

Pandemic Preparedness and Bioethics  

Genetics, Ethics and Misuse of Science 

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. 

Pandora Report 1.23.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

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.  

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: 

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

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

Figure 1. World Health Organization (WHO). Credit: Pixabay. 

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: 

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.  

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: 

In Other News 

Emerging Biosecurity Risks  

Global Health News 

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. 

Pandora Report 1.16.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features an overhaul of U.S. global health leadership under the new “America First Global Health Strategy”; the U.S. withdrawal from the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine and its implications for WMD nonproliferation; and groundbreaking research on a nasal spray bird flu vaccine showing protection in ferrets.   

US Withdraws from Nonproliferation Center in Ukraine 

By Gregory Koblentz, Editor in Chief of the Pandora Report; Director, Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University. 

Among the 66 international organizations, the Trump Administration has announced its intent to withdraw from the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), an internationally funded organization based in Kyiv dedicated to preventing the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. The organization, founded in 1993, creates education, training, and mentorship programs to promote international best practices to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats through civilian science and technology partnerships. STCU has been the subject of relentless, unfounded allegations by Russia that it has supported the development of biological weapons in Ukraine. As Biodefense Program Director, Gregory Koblentz has described in a talk at NTI, this false narrative was a key component of Russia’s disinformation campaign to justify its illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Needless to say, Russian state media is ecstatic about this decision by the Trump Administration. Professor Koblentz, Biodefense PhD student Ryan Houser, and Kings College professor Filippa Lentzos co-authored an article in 2023 about Ukraine’s legitimate efforts to strengthen its biosafety and biosecurity and the importance of international assistance from the United States, STCU, and others, to help Ukraine achieve this objective. The Global Partnership Against the Spread of WMD sponsors a WMD Counter Disinfo project (co-lead by Dr. Lentzos) that provides more information about Russian disinformation related to biological weapons (and other weapons of mass destruction) and how to counter this disinformation. 

Further Reading: 

America First, Again: The Biggest Shake-Up in US Global Health Leadership in Decades 

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

Called the America First Global Health Strategy, the program aims to strengthen U.S. geopolitical and economic leverage in developing countries – particularly across Africa – while reducing reliance on non-government organizations (NGOs) that previously delivered aid through USAID. To date, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed 14 bilateral health agreements with African countries, focusing on areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal health. Some of the deals are tied to specific political commitments, including Nigeria’s pledge to protect Christians from persecution. Negotiations with copper-rich Zambia are also ongoing, but have reportedly been stalled amid U.S. officials’ complaints about limited mining access for American firms. Public details remain scarce in these deals, though available agreements include language promoting U.S. commercial engagement – for example, Cote D’Ivoire’s MOU highlights “expanded opportunities for US companies”, while one with Rwanda says it “helps further American commercial interest in Rwanda and Africa more broadly.” In November, the Telegraph reported on leaked documents suggesting the Trump administration was also seeking long-term digital access to partner nations’ health information systems – potentially for up to 25 years – as a condition of receiving U.S. assistance.  

Further Reading: 

Nasal Spray Vaccine Shows Promise Against Bird Flu in Ferrets 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

In a study published on January 13 in Nature Communications, a nasal spray vaccine has demonstrated effective protection against H5N1 and H7N9 bird flu in laboratory ferrets, offering a new potential vaccine platform for influenza pandemic preparedness as avian influenza continues spreading across wildlife and livestock populations.  

Researchers at the Access to Advanced Health Institute vaccinated ferrets with either the experimental intranasal RNA vaccine or a traditional intramuscular injection, then challenged both groups alongside unvaccinated controls with a high dose of virus delivered directly into their nasal passages. Ferrets vaccinated against H7N9 remained free of clinical signs throughout while the unvaccinated controls developed fever and illness. The virus was no longer detectable in the nasal passages of vaccinated animals by day 5 post-infection. The results against H5N1 were even more remarkable. All six ferrets that received the nasal spray vaccine survived and without ever developing symptoms, while all unvaccinated ferrets died within one week and the older injectable H5N1 vaccine group had one fatality on day 9. 

Traditional flu shots only generate immunity in the bloodstream; however, the nasal spray generates comparable blood antibody levels to injectable vaccines as well as protective defenses directly in the respiratory tract where flu infections begin. The vaccine uses self-amplifying RNA technology, similar to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, and produces specialized IgA antibodies in the lungs along with resident immune cells that remain stationed in lung tissue. 

In addition to its efficacy, the intranasal influenza vaccine could also offer practical advantages for pandemic preparedness. Manufacturers would be able to stockpile stable components and then quickly produce new RNA vaccines to target emerging viral strains, bypassing the months-long process of growing viruses in chicken eggs. After freeze-drying, the vaccine remains stable for at least two years without ultra-cold storage, eliminating the need for ultra-cold freezers which complicated the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines. In 2024, the FDA approved self-administration of FluMist, a vaccine for influenza virus subtypes A and B, to allow administration without a health care provider. This precedent could allow for future approval and distribution of a needle-free, at-home vaccination for bird flu in the event of a pandemic. 

While human clinical trials are still needed, this platform could represent a significant advance in pandemic response capabilities. 

Experts Urge USDA to Reconsider Vaccination Strategy 

Veterinary scientists Ellen P. Carlin and Gwendolen Reyes-Illg published a compelling opinion piece in STAT News this week, criticizing the USDA’s current approach to the ongoing avian influenza pandemic and urging for nation-wide poultry vaccination.  

Since 2022, nearly 185 million birds have been lost as a result of the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. Most birds were preemptively killed when housed near infected flocks, following the current USDA policy focused on elimination of birds on affected farms and increased biosecurity to prevent reinfection. Carlin and Reyes-Illg argue this “depopulate and repeat” approach is failing, especially as bird flu becomes endemic in wild birds and evidence suggests possible airborne transmission. In addition to the animal welfare concerns of this mass culling strategy, the economic impact has been significant. Nearly $2 billion of tax-payer money has been spent on response, primarily in compensation to farmers for animal losses from depopulation and consumer spending on eggs rose $14.5 billion in one year alone.  

Unfortunately, the primary obstacle to widespread vaccination is diplomatic rather than scientific. The USDA has already licensed at least eight effective vaccines developed with federal funding, and successful vaccination of ducks in France reduced outbreak sizes up to 99%. However, there is concern some trading partners might restrict imports from countries with vaccinated flocks, fearing spread of infection from asymptomatic birds. Carlin and Reyes-Illg propose coupling vaccination with robust diagnostic surveillance to provide confidence that exported poultry remain disease-free, an approach supported by the World Organization for Animal Health. They emphasize that trade agreements can be renegotiated, noting, “It’s happening every day for tariffs; why not for chickens?”  

Further Reading: 

In Other News 

Pandemic Preparedness and One Health  

Biosafety, Biosecurity, & Biotech Regulation  

NEW: Managing Borders during Global Public Health Emergencies; Lessons learned from COVID-19 – A Public Lecture 

From Asia Centre for Health Security: “The unprecedented use of international travel measures (ITMs) during the COVID-19 pandemic became a challenging and, eventually, controversial policy issue.  Evidence from the pandemic shows that these measures can play an important role in slowing or reducing the introduction and onward spread of pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.  At the same time, the largely uncoordinated, varied and frequently changing way in which ITMs were used during the pandemic led to suboptimal public health outcomes. The measures also caused widespread secondary impacts that were costly, inequitable, and societally divisive. 

The complexity of whether, when and how to apply different types of ITMs means that the evidence-base continues to evolve on best practices. As future pandemic events are likely to involve a fast-moving novel pathogen, spreading in a highly globalised world, public health responses will again need to make decisions about mitigating travel-related risks in real time. 

Drawing on more than five years of research on ITMs and pandemic events by the Pandemics and Borders Project, this lecture will review the current evidence on their use and the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be followed by a panel discussion about experiences in the Southeast Asian region and then audience Q&A.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, January 22 from 10:00-11:30 AM (GMT+8, Singapore Time). Learn more and RSVP here. 

NEW: Global Biorisk Index for AI-Powered Biodesign Tools – A Webinar 

From Asia Centre for Health Security: “Artificial intelligence-enabled biological design tools (AI-BDTs) transform life sciences with the potential to accelerate discovery and lower technical barriers to achieve impact. These advances promise major innovation gains with outcomes relevant to public health. However, they also introduce novel pathways for misuse, amplification of biological risks, and challenges for global governance. 

This presentation will introduce the RAND CLTR* AI-BDT Global Risk Index, an evidence-based framework to assess the biological capabilities and potential misuse of AI-BDTs. The talk will describe the analytic approach, key findings, and insights. We will also discuss implications for policy, responsible innovation, and international coordination in order to ensure AI-BDTs remain safe, secure, and beneficial.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, January 22 from 5:00-6:00 PM (GMT+8, Singapore Time). Learn more and RSVP here. 

NEW: mRNA: A Key to National Security – A Hybrid Summit 

From the Council on Strategic Risks: “Through an engaging set of presentations and panel discussions, this symposium will: 

  • Discuss the most pressing risks to national security from infectious diseases 
  • Educate participants on the fundamentals of mRNA medicine 
  • Explain mRNA medicines’ essential role in military readiness and national defense, and  
  • Examine the national security risks if adversarial nations advance their mRNA capabilities while the United States reduces investment in this strategic technology.” 

This event will be hybrid – online and in-person at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center on Thursday, January 22 from 1:00-4:00 PM ET. Learn more and RSVP here.  

NEW: Genomic Surveillance & Pathogen Data Sharing: A New Era for Scientific Diplomacy – A Virtual Fireside Chat 

From Harvard’s Belfer Center: “Join us for a virtual fireside chat on emerging technology, scientific advancement, and global policy, featuring Belfer Center Fellow Dr. Syra Madad and Dr. Kristian Andersen, Director of Infectious Disease Genomics at the Scripps Research Translational Institute.” 

This event will take place virtually on Thursday, January 22 at 4:00-5:00 PM ET. Learn more and RSVP here. 

NEW: 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!

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.  

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 (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. 

NEW: 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.  

NEW: 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. 

NEW: 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. 

Pandora Report 1.9.2026

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! Happy New Year! 🎉  This issue highlights breakthroughs in global health, including HIV and malaria milestones, ongoing challenges from U.S. foreign aid cuts, and cutting-edge developments in AI, biotechnology, and pandemic preparedness.  

Biodefense Doctoral Student Selected for Prestigious Biosecurity Fellowship 

Kimberly Ma, a Biodefense PhD student at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, has been selected for the 2026 class of the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI) fellowship. The ELBI Fellowship, offered by the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is the most distinguished fellowship available to rising members of the biosecurity profession.  

Kimmy is a Policy Advisor at the U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), where she leads the biosecurity workstream and co-leads the infrastructure workstream. Her work consists primarily of supporting NSCEB Commissioners in developing policy recommendations, legislative proposals, and external engagements with stakeholders and experts. Kimmy, who is in her fourth year in the Biodefense PhD program, said, “My time in George Mason’s Biodefense program as a PhD student has been a huge force in sharpening my mind when it comes to biosecurity and biodefense matters. I have no doubt that it has played a major factor in my professional success and selection into the ELBI cohort for this coming year. I look forward to building on my time at GMU this coming year through both my continued BIOD studies and ELBI engagements!”  

During the ELBI fellowship, participants will participate in biosecurity workshops, networking events, and research symposiums, both in Washington DC and abroad. Kimmy is the ninth Biodefense student or alum to be selected as an ELBI Fellow.

Global Health at a Crossroads: Turbulence and Transformation in 2025  

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

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on 2025 – a year marked by deep challenges but also meaningful progress in global health.  

Several major changes left the global health system on shaky grounds. Severe U.S. foreign aid cuts, the dissolution of USAID, and shifting priorities among major donors – including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – left considerable gaps in disease-focused programs worldwide.  

And yet, 2025 also delivered historic milestones as well. The Maldives eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, while Brazil was validated by WHO for reducing vertical HIV transmission, becoming the largest country in the Americas to reach this achievement. Suriname, Timor-Leste, and Georgia were all certified as malaria-free, joining a growing cohort of now 47 countries and one territory. Meanwhile, new HIV-prevention drugs are emerging: the drug known as Lenacapavir was approved in the U.S. after clinical trials showed it to be nearly 100% effective in HIV prevention in women and 96% effective in men. In November, the U.S. Department of State and the Global Fund delivered the first of 4 million doses to low- and middle-income countries, with Eswatini and Zambia receiving initial allocations.  

At the same time, the U.S. global health engagements continue to shift. Under its new, “America First” strategy, the Trump administration has signed bilateral health agreements with at least nine African nations – including Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda – emphasizing “mutual benefit,” conditionality, and reduced financial assistance. The approach has raised concerns, as some of those that have signed deals either have been affected by U.S. aid cuts or have agreements to accept and host third-country deportees.  

These policy changes abroad come as scientific and public health sectors experience added pressures at home. A new report from Yale’s Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis (CIDMA) warns that cancelling federal funding for mRNA vaccine research could carry devastating consequences, estimating more than $75 billion in annual economic losses and over 49,000 preventable deaths each year. “mRNA vaccine platforms represent an extraordinary convergence of clinical promise and societal value,” said Alison Galvani, director of CIDMA.  

Food safety experts are also sounding the alarm: recent federal cuts could degrade U.S. food safety leaving more people vulnerable to foodborne illness. These changes include a reduced number of pathogens now monitored by surveillance programs, brain drain of CDC and FDA staff, and cuts to administrative and inspection capacity. This has led to a historic low in inspections of foreign food facilities and U.S. imports, raising the likelihood of the occurrence of preventable outbreaks.   

As infectious-disease experts look toward 2026, many are watching the potential threats posed by avian influenza (H5N1), mpox, HIV, and measles as viruses that could affect human lives in new ways. While the public health landscape continues to evolve, it remains essential that we work together coherently toward a well-functioning system and society that protects everyone – advancing scientific breakthroughs as we navigate unprecedented political headwinds.  

Further Reading: 

Avian Influenza Updates: Catching Up After the Holiday Break 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) showed no signs of slowing during the holiday season. In late December, confirmed outbreaks of bird flu struck five additional US states, affecting more than 128,000 birds. The largest single loss occurred at a broiler farm in Maryland, where over 96,000 birds were affected. Additional outbreaks hit Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and New York. In December 2025, 80 U.S. flocks confirmed detections of bird flu, with more than one million birds affected across 26 commercial and 54 backyard flocks. 

New Spillover Event in Wisconsin Dairy Cattle 

On December 14, USDA confirmed detection of HPAI in a Wisconsin dairy herd, representing a new spillover event from wildlife into cattle. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the virus is H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1, a strain implicated in spillover events in two dairy herds in Nevada and Arizona in early 2025. The recently detected Wisconsin case is considered separate from those previous spillovers and, thus far, no additional infected herds have been identified in connection with this event. Of note, the D1.1 genotype is distinct from the B3.13 genotype that has affected most US dairy herds since bird flu infection in cattle was first detected in the Texas Panhandle in late 2023. 

Global Wildlife Crisis 

Unfortunately, the avian influenza outbreak extends far beyond farms and commercial animals. The European Food Safety Authority reported exceptionally high HPAI activity in wild birds during Europe’s 2025 autumn migration. Detections quadrupled from 2024, reaching the highest levels since 2016. The resulting wildlife mortality in many bird species and as a result of spillover events in mammals have caused unprecedented biodiversity loss globally. For instance, in the subantarctic islands of South Georgia, southern elephant seals have lost nearly 50% of breeding females since 2023, and albatross colonies in the Falkland Islands experienced recurrent outbreaks and marked declines in breeding birds. The World Organization for Animal Health has stressed that continued spillover of bird flu into mammals also raises One Health concerns with potential consequences for companion animals, agricultural species, and human health as the outbreaks continue.  

Growing Concerns for Human Health in 2026 

Virologists have expressed heightened concerns about avian influenza’s trajectory in the coming year. While human cases remain rare in the United States, with only 71 confirmed human cases resulting in two deaths, experts warn that the virus’s widespread circulation in migratory birds, farm animals, and many mammalian species increases the risk of dangerous mutations from genome reassortment. Every new infected host represents another opportunity for the virus to evolve as their segmented genome allows different strains to mix and produce new hybrid viruses when they infect the same cell. The central fear continues to be the risk of sustained human-to-human transmission, which fortunately hasn’t yet occurred; however, experts are concerned about surveillance gaps in the US. Monitoring varies dramatically between states and data sharing has become inconsistent and harder to interpret, raising the risk that early warning signs could be missed.  

Meanwhile, seasonal human influenza cases have skyrocketed, with more than 25% of tests positive for influenza as of late December, almost double last year’s rate at this time. Hospitalization rates are three times higher than the 2023-2024 season and have already surpassed last season’s peak, which wasn’t reached until February. The surge is driven by subclade K, a variant that emerged after this year’s flu vaccine was designed, making the shot less effective than usual and providing only 30-40% protection against hospitalization in adults. The combination of widespread avian influenza circulation in animals and a severe season of established human flu strains with reduced vaccine effectiveness raises troubling questions: if our healthcare systems are already strained by a poorly matched seasonal flu vaccine, what would happen if H5N1 suddenly gained the ability to spread between humans? 

Fortunately, progress is still being made toward a bird flu vaccine in humans. Moderna announced in mid-December that it received over $54 million in funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a public-private partnership working to develop vaccines for pandemic preparedness, to take its H5 avian influenza mRNA vaccine candidate into Phase 3 clinical trials. The Biden administration had previously awarded the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company over $700 million in government contracts for avian influenza vaccine research; however, these contracts were canceled by the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the new administration who have been critical of mRNA vaccine technology. In exchange for the funding from CEPI, Moderna has agreed to allocate 20% of vaccine production for low- and middle-income countries at affordable prices if the vaccine is approved and an avian influenza pandemic materializes.  

Further Reading: 

In Other News 

Chemical and Biological Weapons History 

AI, Biotechnology & Future Biosecurity Risks  

WMD, Fentanyl, and Public Health Misinformation 

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 10-11, 2026. Learn more and RSVP 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.

African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) 

From AAVN: “The African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) is a collaborative, career-development community for young professionals, students, and researchers from Africa (aged 18–35) who are working in, or passionate about, nuclear issues and related global security challenges such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and chemical & biological security. The Network empowers African young professionals to shape global conversations and ensures that Africa’s voice is amplified in nuclear and broader global security discourse.” 

Learn more and join the network here. 

CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative 

From the initiative: “Established in 2018, the CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative aims to encourage undergraduate women to consider careers in WMD nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament. As part of this initiative, we offer a mentorship program that enables undergraduate women to work directly with leading experts in their areas of professional interest.” 

Learn more and join the network here.   

Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:

  • Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
  • Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
  • Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
  • The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
  • Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
  • Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
  • Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
  • AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”

Learn more and submit your papers here.

Pandora Report 12.19.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

This week’s Pandora Report provides updates on the BIOSECURE Act, FDA’s recent actions regarding COVID-19 vaccines, and more. The Pandora Report will be going on break and will return on January 9, 2026. Happy holidays!

Congress Passes BIOSECURE Act Embedded in FY 2026 NDAA

The BIOSECURE Act, first introduced during the 188th Congress, has now been passed by Congress after it was included in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on December 18. The act failed to pass during the last Congress, in part because of concerns about a lack of due process for companies targeted by its provisions. While some parts have changed, the core of the legislation remains the same: It prevents US executive agencies from contracting with or funding companies that are considered “biological companies of concern.”

Unlike its predecessor, this reconciled version does not rely on a blacklist of Chinese life sciences firms, but instead delegates this task to the Office of Management and Budget while also referencing the Section 1260H list from the Department of Defense. The ban on cooperation with certain Chinese entities also includes federal contracts with pharmaceutical companies that use services or products from these entities. This is concerning as many pharmaceutical companies conduct early clinical trials in China to save time and money on the clinical trial process. Between approximately 70 and 80% of US pharmaceutical companies directly collaborate with Chinese firms.

Further Reading:

FDA Allegedly Moves to Add Black Box, Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Inquiry

According to CNN, discussions have taken place internally at the FDA about possibly adding a black box warning to COVID-19 vaccines. These warnings (officially called boxed warnings) are the strictest warning FDA can require from a drug manufacturer as they are designed to alert providers and patients to serious, life-threatening, or permanently disabling risks associated with a drug’s use in the case of an adverse reaction. The FDA previously announced in June of this year that it will require updated warnings about myocarditis and pericarditis in labeling of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary denied his agency is considering requiring the boxed warning for COVID-19 vaccines.

This comes on the heels of reports FDA has expanded its investigation of deaths involving COVID-19 vaccines to include adults as well as children. The initial inquiry was announced in September and focused only on children, seemingly spurred by Secretary Kennedy’s claims that these vaccines are deadly and dangerous, contrary to scientific consensus. In November, Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top vaccine regulator, informed staff that the organization had linked 10 children’s deaths to the vaccines, despite offering no evidence in the memo to support his claims. Experts have, in response, highlighted that COVID-19 itself has killed at least 1.2 million people in the US, more than 2,000 of whom where children.

Further Reading:

US Global Aid Changes and Challenges Continue

It was recently announced that Uganda will receive up to $1.7 billion in US funding for its health sector over the next five years, making the country the latest in a group that reached similar deals under the Trump administration’s “America First Global Health Strategy.” The funds will primarily support health programs focused on HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio. Uganda’s government will increase its own health expenditure by $500 million to “gradually assume greater financial responsibility over the course of the framework.”

Rwanda and Kenya recently announced similar deals. However, a Kenyan court has suspended implementation of the country’s $2.5 billion deal with the US over data privacy concerns. The interim ruling bars Kenyan authorities from taking steps to enact the deal “insofar as it provides for or facilitates the transfer, sharing or dissemination of medical, epidemiological or sensitive personal health data.” Kenyan Health Minister Aden Duale has said that the government will comply with the ruling, but that it will challenge it.

Further Reading:

“Protecting Children from Biological Weapons in Armed Conflict”

From UNICEF: “Biological threats are no longer theoretical. Accelerating advances in synthetic biology, genomics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the landscape of risk, creating new pathways for the development, modification, and use of biological agents in armed conflict. In this emerging security environment, children — already the most vulnerable in any crisis — would pay the highest price.”

“This UNICEF working paper examines how emerging biotechnologies may be weaponized in future conflicts, how these threats intersect with cyber and information operations, and why children may be deliberately targeted for strategic or psychological effect. Drawing on foresight scenarios and legal-policy analysis, it identifies critical gaps in global biosecurity, including attribution challenges, weak verification mechanisms, and insufficient child-centered preparedness frameworks.”

“Children’s physiology, dependency, and limited access to life-saving services place them at disproportionate risk in any biological incident. In conflict-affected settings, where health systems are degraded and humanitarian access is constrained, these dangers are multiplied. A deliberate biological attack would not only devastate young lives — it would undermine community stability, disrupt recovery for generations, and violate the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian and human rights law.”

“This working paper delivers a clear message to the international community: existing biosecurity and disarmament architectures — national, regional, and multilateral — are not yet configured to protect children from the evolving risks of biological weapons.  It calls for immediate action across the multilateral system:

  • Integrate child-specific risks into biosecurity assessments, early-warning systems, and preparedness frameworks.
  • Strengthen global governance under the Biological Weapons Convention and related UN mandates.
  • Build rapid-response capacities that prioritize children’s health, protection, and continuity of care.”

Protecting children from biological weapons is not a technical aspiration:  it is a moral and legal imperative. The international community must act now to ensure that no child becomes a casualty of tomorrow’s biological conflicts.”

Read here.

“Monitoring Approaches to Support BWC Compliance”

This report from VERTIC and KCL discusses three possible approaches to monitoring compliance with the BWC (the BWC Confidence-Building Measures, the Verification Experts Group, and emerging technologies), and “…identifies a number of recommendations for BWC States Parties: supporting the CBM process; practicing and normalizing consultation and clarification; seeking greater understanding of confidence and uncertainties in verification; and discussing practical aspects of different verification measures; practicing verification in the field via exercises.”

“AIxBio = Big Promise + New Risks”

Kaitlyn Gibbons for NTI: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the life sciences and public health: accelerating drug discovery, vaccine development, and outbreak detection. But with rapidly advancing capabilities comes unprecedented risks — these same tools could be misused to design dangerous pathogens.”

“NTI’s tabletop exercise at the Munich Security Conference this past February explored risks and opportunities at the convergence of AI and the life sciences. The scenario: a fictional extremist group uses AI-enabled tools to engineer a novel virus that triggers a global pandemic, resulting in more than 850 million cases and 60 million deaths.”

“The takeaway: the scenario represents a plausible near-term risk that technical experts and counterterrorism professionals find deeply concerning. It’s a risk that the world isn’t ready for.”

Read more here.

“Where Lab-Made DNA is Created — and Barely Policed”

Shayna Korol recaps the launch of the Global DNA Synthesis Map by the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science in this article for Vox: “The map reveals that only 10 percent of synthetic DNA providers currently screen for DNA sequences of concern, meaning that companies could be sending out the makings of a dangerous pathogen. That’s a tremendous biosecurity gap. More than 700 companies provide synthetic nucleic acids, the building blocks of genetic material, and benchtop DNA synthesis devices, which allow scientists to synthesize custom DNA sequences in their own labs rather than ordering it from a commercial provider. More than 500 of those companies need to screen orders to guarantee compliance with local regulations.”

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 10-11, 2026. Learn more and RSVP 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.

African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) 

From AAVN: “The African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) is a collaborative, career-development community for young professionals, students, and researchers from Africa (aged 18–35) who are working in, or passionate about, nuclear issues and related global security challenges such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and chemical & biological security. The Network empowers African young professionals to shape global conversations and ensures that Africa’s voice is amplified in nuclear and broader global security discourse.” 

Learn more and join the network here. 

CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative 

From the initiative: “Established in 2018, the CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative aims to encourage undergraduate women to consider careers in WMD nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament. As part of this initiative, we offer a mentorship program that enables undergraduate women to work directly with leading experts in their areas of professional interest.” 

Learn more and join the network here.   

Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:

  • Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
  • Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
  • Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
  • The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
  • Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
  • Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
  • Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
  • AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”

Learn more and submit your papers here.

Call for Presenters: International Bio Recovery Summit

The American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) has opened its Call for Presenters for the 2026 International Bio Recovery Summit, taking place March 16-18 in Aberdeen, Maryland. As the industry’s leading event, the summit brings together bio-recovery professionals to address emerging challenges, regulatory updates, new technologies, and evolving safety standards in the field. ABRA invites experts to submit proposals aligned with conference objectives – including discussions on industry guidelines, insurance claims, hazardous substances, and business practices.

Learn more and submit your presentation by December 31 here.

64th ISODARCO Course

From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”

“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”

“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”

“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”

This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.

Pandora Report 12.12.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! ❄️  This issue highlights emerging global biosecurity and public health risks, including the latest developments in synthetic biology with the launch of IBBIS’ Global DNA Synthesis Map, the spread of avian influenza from vampire bats in Peru, and ongoing chemical weapons accountability in Syria and the U.K.  

From DNA Synthesis to Vaccines: Tracking Biosecurity and Public Health Risk Worldwide 

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

Figure 1. IBBIS launched the Global DNA Synthesis Map at the BWC Working Group event at the UN in Geneva on Tuesdaay, December 9, 2025 (Credit: Pixabay) 

The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS) launched the Global DNA Synthesis Map on Tuesday, December 9 at the BWC Working Group event at the United Nations Office in Geneva. The map provides the first publicly available global overview of DNA synthesis providers, screening practices, regulatory frameworks and distribution channels, including third-party vendor networks. Data from over 1,000 companies across 81 countries reveal the world’s approaches to DNA synthesis, offering a critical evidence base for diplomats, policymakers, biosecurity professionals, and industry to inform decision-making, strengthen risk-mitigation strategies, and advance responsible innovation. 

Explore the map here.

Further Reading: 

Chemical & Biological Weapons Governance  

GMU’s Biodefense Director on Syria’s Unresolved Chemical Weapons Legacy  

In a December 9 article for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Gregory Koblentz – Associate Professor and Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University warns that significant elements of Syria’s former chemical weapons (CWs) program remain unaccounted for more than a year after the fall of the Assad regime. Drawing on findings from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Koblentz documents evidence of undeclared stockpiles, missing munitions, and unresolved discrepancies in Syria’s CW declarations. He highlights the persistent risk that residual chemical agents could fall into the hands of insurgent groups or be rediscovered amid ongoing instability. Koblentz argues that the United States and its allies must act urgently to accelerate inspections and complete destruction efforts in coordination with the OPCW, emphasizing that fully dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons is essential for regional stability and global chemical nonproliferation. Read more of the article here.  

International Law & Accountability 

A new working paper by Elisabeth Hoffberger-Pippan examines the role of national and international courts in enforcing prohibitions under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). While both treaties provide formal mechanisms for accountability, these processes are often limited by political considerations, especially in times of geopolitical instability. Hoffberger-Pippan notes that the number of court cases addressing chemical and biological weapons (CBWs) has increased, but procedural restrictions in both national and international jurisdictions continue to impede effective enforcement of these prohibitions. The working paper is available for download here.  

Building on these legal frameworks, international efforts to strengthen the BWC are ongoing this week in Geneva, as state parties review the final report of the BWC Working Group. Daily updates from the meetings are being provided by the website, CBW Events, offering timely insights into negotiations, areas of agreement, and remaining points of contention among state parties. A consolidated collection of Richard Guthrie’s reporting on the BWC meetings is available online:  https://www.cbw-events.org.uk/bwc-rep.html 

Further Reading: 

The U.K.: The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry and Chemical Weapons Accountability  

In the United Kingdom, the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry, launched in 2021 by the Home Secretary, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the poisoning of Sturgess by a Russian nerve agent, Novichok, exposure near Salisbury in 2018. The death has been linked to the attempted assassination of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal. In a recent BBC News report, some are concluding that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “morally responsible” for Sturgess’s death, who was unknowingly exposed after handling a discarded perfume bottle containing the toxic nerve agent. While Moscow continues to deny involvement, the case has become a focal point in discussions over state responsibility and response, attribution, and the enforcement of prohibitions on chemical weapons.  

The U.S.: Intelligence Transparency on the Origins of COVID-19  

Parallel debates over transparency and attribution are unfolding in the U.S. as well. For years, many were interested to see what U.S. spy agencies really know about COVID-19’s origins, whether it was a natural spillover event or a so-called “lab leak.”  According to U.S. Right to Know, a provision included in the proposed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2026 would require the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with federal intelligence agencies, to review and work to declassify information related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill – which is set for votes in the House and Senate this week – mandates greater intelligence about coronavirus research in Chinese labs, including what is known about risky “gain-of-function” research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), and Chinese government control over early pandemic information.  

Further Reading: 

From Birds to Bats: Avian Flu Spreads Its Wings 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

The bird flu outbreak has expanded to include a new mammalian host. Vampire bats along Peru’s coast have tested positive for H5N1 antibodies, marking the first time these blood-feeding mammals have been confirmed as susceptible to the virus. 

In a new preprint study published on bioRxiv in nearly November, researchers revealed that over a dozen common vampire bats living along Peru’s Pacific coast carried antibodies against H5N1, indicating previous exposure to the avian influenza strain battering birds, livestock, and a variety of mammalian species around the globe. The bats likely contracted the virus while feeding on infected marine animals during a massive 2022-2023 outbreak that killed more than 560,000 seabirds and 10,000 sea lions in Peru alone. 

Wildlife veterinarian I-Ting Tu from the University of Glasgow led the research effort, collecting samples from hundreds of vampire bats across coastal and inland regions. The team discovered that coastal bats fed on a surprisingly diverse array of marine wildlife, including sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, and penguins, all potential sources of H5N1 exposure. These findings raise concerns that bats may serve as a bridge between marine and terrestrial mammals. Bats live in dense colonies where viruses can easily spread, thus they could potentially become a permanent reservoir for H5N1 more readily than other mammals. Bats are already notorious for harboring a plethora of zoonotic viruses including rabies virus and many coronaviruses. Some Peruvian vampire bats feed on both marine animals and livestock, creating potential pathways for the virus to spread into agricultural settings, evolve further, and potentially adapt to mammals including humans. 

Fortunately, researchers say it’s not yet time to panic. Only about 8% of individuals in any colony showed antibodies, suggesting H5N1 hasn’t established efficient bat-to-bat transmission. It is unclear why the infection has spread poorly among bats, as they appear to have the necessary receptors in their lungs for H5N1 to cling to. There doesn’t seem to be a real physiological barrier, and it may be that the virus is simply not yet optimized to sustain a chain of infection in bats. This means bats are unlikely to become a permanent viral reservoir, at least for now; however, repeated spillover between marine mammals, livestock, and bats could create a pathway for the virus to acquire new traits, establish itself in new hosts, and potentially become more deadly or contagious. Researchers stress the need for continued surveillance, particularly at sites where bats interact with both marine wildlife and domestic animals. 

Further Reading: 

Vaccines Under Scrutiny: Domestic Policy Changes and Global Gaps  

ACIP Vaccine Rollback Sparks Safety Concern in the U.S. 

From Health Policy Watch: “A U.S. vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), has voted to eliminate a 30-year recommendation that all newborns in the U.S. receive the hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine at birth, stating the shot is no longer necessary for babies born to mothers who test negative for the virus. Instead, ACIP recommends delaying the first dose to no earlier than two months and consulting with a doctor.”  

Medical experts have raised concerns about the decision. Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics argue that the decision lacks sufficient implementation research to ensure safety. Without further research, there is a risk that Hep B could still be transmitted from asymptomatic mothers to newborns at birth. “We should do the studies first to determine if fewer doses are actually effective,” said Dr Judith Shlay, a family medicine specialist. The recommendation must now be approved by Jim O’Neil, the acting director of the CDC.  

Further Reading:

Global Polio Eradication Faces Funding Shortfalls  

Meanwhile, on the global stage, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has received $1.9 billion in pledges from international donors to advance polio eradication. Contributions came from a diverse group of donors and countries, including $1.2 billion from the Gates Foundation, $140 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, and $450 million from Rotary International. Despite these commitments, a significant funding gap of approximately $440 million remains for GPEI’s 2022-2029 Strategy, following reductions in foreign aid from high-income countries.  

This private-public partnership (PPP) aims to eradicate polio worldwide by 2029, using the funds to vaccinate 370 million children against polio each year while strengthening regional health systems. However, the outlook is uncertain: the U.K., Germany, and other countries have scaled back plans for development assistance and health funding for 2026, and U.S. support for polio efforts remains unclear. As a result, GPEI anticipates cutting its budget by 30% next year due to the global retreat in foreign aid.  

Further Reading:

In Other News  

US Science Governance 

NEW: 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. 

NIH and its Partners to Co-Host a Second Regional Listening Session on Efforts to Modernize and Strengthen Biosafety Oversight 

From ABSA International: “The NIH, the Carolinas Biosafety Safety Association, and the Southeastern Biological Safety Association will be co-hosting a virtual listening session to obtain input from stakeholders on NIH’s recently announced initiative to modernize and strengthen biosafety oversight.” 

This event will take place virtually on December 17 from 1:00 – 3:00 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 10-11, 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.

African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) 

From AAVN: “The African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) is a collaborative, career-development community for young professionals, students, and researchers from Africa (aged 18–35) who are working in, or passionate about, nuclear issues and related global security challenges such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and chemical & biological security. The Network empowers African young professionals to shape global conversations and ensures that Africa’s voice is amplified in nuclear and broader global security discourse.” 

Learn more and join the network here. 

CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative 

From the initiative: “Established in 2018, the CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative aims to encourage undergraduate women to consider careers in WMD nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament. As part of this initiative, we offer a mentorship program that enables undergraduate women to work directly with leading experts in their areas of professional interest.” 

Learn more and join the network here.   

Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:

  • Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
  • Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
  • Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
  • The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
  • Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
  • Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
  • Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
  • AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”

Learn more and submit your papers here.

Call for Presenters: International Bio Recovery Summit

The American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) has opened its Call for Presenters for the 2026 International Bio Recovery Summit, taking place March 16-18 in Aberdeen, Maryland. As the industry’s leading event, the summit brings together bio-recovery professionals to address emerging challenges, regulatory updates, new technologies, and evolving safety standards in the field. ABRA invites experts to submit proposals aligned with conference objectives – including discussions on industry guidelines, insurance claims, hazardous substances, and business practices.

Learn more and submit your presentation by December 31 here.

64th ISODARCO Course

From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”

“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”

“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”

“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”

This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.

Pandora Report 12.6.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! ❄️ This issue features a deep dive into U.S. biodefense vulnerabilities, the latest developments in Avian Influenza, emerging biosecurity risks from synthetic biology, and global public health and chemical weapons updates.  

U.S. Biodefense on the Brink: Political Interference and Budget Cuts Put Americans at Risk 

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

A series of alarming developments across the U.S. biodefense complex show that political interference and institutional downsizing are creating vulnerable gaps in emergency response and readiness that could imperil Americans during the next major biological emergency. On November 23, Dr. Ralph Abraham, Louisiana’s Surgeon General, who’s also a vocal supporter of HHS Secretary RFK Jr., and a known vaccine skeptic, was appointed Principal Deputy Director at the CDC. Abraham has publicly questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, opposed routine immunization for hepatitis B at birth, and supported discredited theories linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism.  

This trend of politicization is compounded by troubling shifts in agency guidance. Under Secretary RFK Jr.’s leadership, the CDC revised its longstanding position that vaccines do not cause autism, adding an asterisk to its guidance suggesting that evidence debunking the vaccine-autism link is “not evidence-based.” This shift contradicts decades of rigorous research demonstrating no causal link between vaccines and autism and was pushed through despite numerous objections from scientific organizations. The Autism Science Foundation and the American Medical Association condemned the change, calling it appalling and warning of its dangerous consequences.  

The FDA is also experiencing internal turmoil. A 3,000-word memo circulated by vaccine division director, Dr. Vinay Prasad, claimed that COVID-19 vaccines had killed at least 10 children. The findings have not been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, and experts reviewing the memo note that it misuses information from VAERS, an unverified reporting system in which anyone – including patients, caregivers, and clinicians – can submit reports of adverse events related to vaccines. VAERS itself warns that its reports may contain inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information.  Experts contend that the memo misrepresents the data and reflects an ideologically driven approach that undermines both public confidence and the FDA’s regulatory authority.  

“This memo conveys a very troubling mixture of misrepresentation and lies,” said Dr. Peter Marks, former FDA vaccine chief who was ousted by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. earlier this year. “The climate within the agency is incredibly toxic right now.” 

Structural cuts to U.S. science and public health agencies further threaten national preparedness for biological events. The second Trump administration’s budget reductions have began to eliminate essential biodefense programs, resulting in billions of dollars in lost funding, the elimination of tens of thousands of positions, and the dismantling of surveillance and R&D programs across key agencies such as the NIH, CDC, USAID, FDA, ASPR, NSF, and FEMA. Some of these agencies operate within HHS: the CDC leads domestic and global disease surveillance and emergency response, the NIH supports basic and applied biomedical research, the FDA regulates vaccines and medicines, the ASPR coordinates public health emergency responses, and separately, the NSF funds foundational biology research essential for understanding biological threats.  

The HHS reorganization has resulted in staffing that is slated to decline from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees, with significant cuts at the CDC, NIH, and the FDA, alongside a 35% reduction in contracts. BARDA, a key agency for developing medical countermeasures for emerging infectious diseases, was merged with ARPA-H, and hundreds of leases for research and operational facilities were terminated. By May of this year, NSF cancelled over 1,500 active research grants and laid off 25-50% of its workforce. In response, sixteen states, led by New York, sued the Trump administration to block NSF funding cuts. 

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched by Elon Musk, reported that the administration terminated 563 leases worth $262 million for facilities used by federal agencies, including NIH and CDC. Experts warn that these cuts not only limit immediate operational capacity but could also create long-term gaps in institutional knowledge and disrupt the talent pipeline, hindering the overall effectiveness and efficiency of these agencies.  

Federal funding cuts are also destabilizing state and local health efforts. Many rely on federal pass-through funding, and without these, face staff layoffs, clinic closures, and halted preparedness programs. In March, HHS announced plans to reclaim $11.4 billion in COVID-19 response funding, raising alarms among public health officials. Although states like California are attempting their own countermeasures via a currently debated $23 billion bond initiative to restore R&D cuts, the ability of state and local governments to fully offset these federal gaps is limited, undermining U.S. biological readiness writ large.   

“Let’s be clear—when the next pandemic from an infectious agent breaks, if this budget passes, we will be largely unprepared, and needless deaths will happen,” Dr. Mary Pittman, former president and CEO of the Public Health Institute, said in a release from the American Public Health Association. “The CDC will be late detecting, tracking, and responding to it, and the states will not have the resources to do it at the state level. Time to action is everything in an outbreak of disease.” 

Further Reading:  

Washington State Reports First H5N5 Human Death 

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor 

Washington State health officials confirmed the first U.S. human death from H5N5 bird flu in late November, marking a significant development in the ongoing international avian influenza outbreak. However, unlike the H5N1 virus that has caused 70 human infections and one death in the United States since 2024, this fatality was caused by H5N5, a different strain of avian influenza that had previously never been known to infect humans. There is limited information about the patient in Washington at this time. They were identified as an older adult with underlying health conditions who kept backyard poultry with exposure to wild birds. 

Health experts stress this isn’t cause for panic. There is as of yet no evidence that H5N5 poses greater pandemic risk than H5N1 or causes more severe disease. Monitoring of close contacts revealed no additional infections and no signs of person-to-person transmission. Although this was the first case of H5N5 infection in a human, experts state that exposure to H5 viruses and subsequent infections are still likely to be H5N1 as this strain is circulating much more prevalently in bird populations.   

For people with backyard chickens, experts recommend keeping domestic birds separated from wild birds, wearing dedicated outdoor clothing and protective gear when cleaning coops, and thoroughly washing hands after handling poultry or eggs to minimize risk of exposure.  

Too Hot to Handle: Research Identifies Temperature Resistance in Bird Flu Viruses 

Recent research published in Science indicates that avian influenza may pose a unique danger compared to human flu viruses: bird flu viruses can replicate at temperatures higher than typical human fevers, potentially overcoming one of our key defense mechanisms. 

Researchers at the universities of Cambridge and Glasgow showed that a gene called PB1 plays a key role in viral temperature sensitivity. Human flu viruses typically thrive in the upper respiratory tract where temperatures are around 33C rather than in the lungs and lower airways where the temperature is closer to 37C. Fevers, one of the human body’s self-defense mechanisms, raise our body temperature to 38-41C, and even just a 2C increase can turn lethal human flu infections into mild disease. However, avian influenza viruses thrive in hotter environments as they often infect the gut in natural bird hosts where temperatures can reach as high as 40-42C. The research showed that virus strains containing avian-like PB1 genes can withstand high temperatures and cause severe disease in mice with simulated fevers that would ordinarily be sufficient to curb replication of temperature-sensitive flu viruses. This suggests that human infection with temperature-resistant flu viruses will cause more severe disease despite our defense mechanisms. Even more worryingly, human and bird flu viruses can swap genes when co-infecting the same host, as happened during the deadly 1957 and 1968 pandemics. These findings could have significant implications for clinical decision-making on when and how to use medications to control fever in suspected avian influenza cases and could also help explain why some influenza outbreaks cause more severe disease.  

Although the public health risk from avian influenza remains low, with no sustained human-to-human transmission observed, public health experts stress that getting a seasonal flu shot is more important than ever. While the vaccine may not protect against bird flu infection directly, it reduces the chance of simultaneous infections that could enable dangerous viral mixing and swapping of temperature-resistance genes between human and avian influenza viruses.  

Further Reading:

“Regulatory Gaps in Benchtop Nucleic Acid Synthesis Create Biosecurity Vulnerabilities” 

Lena Kroepke, a current Biodefense Master’s student at George Mason University, warns that rapid advances in benchtop nucleic acid synthesis and AI-enabled biological design are outpacing existing oversight, leaving the U.S. with widening biosecurity vulnerabilities. Her new article outlines how decentralized benchtop printers, increasingly capable of producing longer DNA sequences, combined with AI tools that can engineer novel or de novo pathogens, bypass traditional sequence-based screening systems and undermine voluntary industry standards. Despite this rising risk, federal regulation remains fragmented: the Biden administration’s 2024 Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening was left in limbo after being placed under review by President Donald Trump’s May 2025 “Improving Safety and Security of Biological Research” Executive Order, and Congress has failed to advance legislation mandating universal screening or device security. As a result, most safeguards are still voluntary, export controls are inconsistently enforced, and no binding national or international standards exist for device certification, customer screening, or tracking printed sequences. Kroepke argues that without urgent, mandatory, and transparent regulatory updates—paired with stronger BWC-level engagement—the proliferation of benchtop synthesis technology could significantly elevate global biosecurity threats. Read more here. 

“Strategies to Improve Detection of Novel Pandemic Pathogens” 

From RAND Corporation: “This research report provides insight into the tradeoffs inherent to the cost, design, and detection performance of three promising pathogen-agnostic biosurveillance strategies, referred to as Syndromic, Wearable, and Environmental. The Syndromic and Wearable strategies are initiated by a signal from symptomatic or physiological sensors, while the Environmental strategy runs continuously and is intensified responsively based on external intelligence from event-based surveillance. First, we parameterize this model to emulate the detection of wildtype SARS-CoV-2. Then, we explore how changes in pathogen characteristics and technology performance change key detection and cost measures.  Heir modeling indicates that environmental sampling (e.g., wastewater, air, surfaces) detects outbreaks fastest, followed by wearable strategy. Syndromic surveillance underperforms in detection relative to the two other strategies, especially when outbreaks stem from new or unusual pathogens.” Read more here. 

China Releases White Paper on Arms Control in New Era

In November 2025, China released a new white paper on arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, as well as its position on security governance in fields such as outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence (AI). In the document, Beijing reaffirms that it remains committed to international frameworks banning weapons of mass destruction, explicitly including biological – and not only nuclear or conventional – threats. According to the white paper, China “resolutely opposes the proliferation of bioweapons, their means of delivery, and all related technologies,” and reaffirms it adherence to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The government states it continues to strengthen domestic biosecurity institutions and export-control regimes over dual-use biological items, and advocates for a negotiated protocol to enhance the BWC’s verification mechanisms – recognizing the existing non-proliferation frameworks must evolve alongside developments in biotechnology. Read more here.  

Further Reading: 

In Other News  

Changing HIV/AIDS Landscape  

On December 1, we want to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025! #WorldAIDSDay  

Global Infectious Disease  

Chemical Weapons: Global Developments and Investigations 

NEW: Integrating Biosafety & Biosecurity into Funding Decisions 

Form NTI: Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted. This webinar will introduce a new framework—developed collaboratively by a diverse group of internationally recognized experts—to help funders identify proposals that may require additional biosafety or biosecurity review and to support appropriate risk-mitigation efforts.” 

This event will take place virtually on December 11 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM ET. Learn more and RSVP here.  

NEW: Africa’s Children’s Hospitals at a Breaking Point – Virtual Event 

From Brown University: A landmark, first-of-its-kind study published last month in PLOS Global Public Health delivers a stark reality check: children’s hospitals in Africa are stretched, strained, and often cannot meet patients’ needs. The Children’s Hospitals in Africa Mapping Project (CHAMP) study aimed to evaluate hospital facilities, infrastructure, equipment, supplies, services, staffing, and readiness to care for children amid public health emergencies through surveys, which 20 hospitals from 15 countries completed from 2018 to 2019. The study found that “most hospitals were ill-prepared to manage a major disaster or infectious disease outbreak.” The CHAMP study is a wake up call to health leaders and decision makers. Among the CHAMP study’s takeaways: 

This event will take place virtually on December 12 at 12:00 PM ET. Learn more and RSVP here. 

NEW: NIH and its Partners to Co-Host a Second Regional Listening Session on Efforts to Modernize and Strengthen Biosafety Oversight 

From ABSA International: “The NIH, the Carolinas Biosafety Safety Association, and the Southeastern Biological Safety Association will be co-hosting a virtual listening session to obtain input from stakeholders on NIH’s recently announced initiative to modernize and strengthen biosafety oversight.” 

This event will take place virtually on December 17 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here. 

NEW: 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 10-11, 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.

African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) 

From AAVN: “The African Atomic Voices Network (AAVN) is a collaborative, career-development community for young professionals, students, and researchers from Africa (aged 18–35) who are working in, or passionate about, nuclear issues and related global security challenges such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and chemical & biological security. The Network empowers African young professionals to shape global conversations and ensures that Africa’s voice is amplified in nuclear and broader global security discourse.” 

Learn more and join the network here. 

CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative 

From the initiative: “Established in 2018, the CNS Young Women in Nonproliferation Initiative aims to encourage undergraduate women to consider careers in WMD nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament. As part of this initiative, we offer a mentorship program that enables undergraduate women to work directly with leading experts in their areas of professional interest.” 

Learn more and join the network here.   

Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:

  • Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
  • Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
  • Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
  • The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
  • Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
  • Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
  • Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
  • AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”

Learn more and submit your papers here.

Call for Presenters: International Bio Recovery Summit

The American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) has opened its Call for Presenters for the 2026 International Bio Recovery Summit, taking place March 16-18 in Aberdeen, Maryland. As the industry’s leading event, the summit brings together bio-recovery professionals to address emerging challenges, regulatory updates, new technologies, and evolving safety standards in the field. ABRA invites experts to submit proposals aligned with conference objectives – including discussions on industry guidelines, insurance claims, hazardous substances, and business practices.

Learn more and submit your presentation by December 31 here.

64th ISODARCO Course

From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”

“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”

“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”

“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”

This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.