This week’s Pandora Report includes updates from the Biodefense Graduate Program, discussion of the last week’s happenings at HHS, H5N1 updates, and more.
Schar School Faculty, Students Participate in NIU Conference
Biodefense PhD candidate Chris Quillen presented his research at the Intelligence Studies Consortium’s 5th Spring Conference on March 19, 2025. Organized by the National Intelligence University, the Intelligence Studies Consortium brings together students from leading universities with intelligence-related programs including the Schar School at George Mason. This year’s conference was hosted by Howard University and included panels and posters presented by students from George Mason University as well as Howard University, the Institute of World Politics, James Madison University, Marymount University, National Intelligence University, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and the University of New Hampshire. The conference included three student panels on Strategic Intelligence and Great Power Competition, Emerging Technologies, and Violent Non-State Actors.
Chris’s presentation titled “Dead Sheep Tell No Tales: Aum Shinrikyo’s Alleged Sarin Tests in Australia Never Happened” was part of the Violent Non-State Actors Panel. His research focused on debunking the allegations made by the Australian Federal Police that the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo conducted animal testing with sarin nerve agent in the Australian Outback back in 1993. Despite forensic evidence indicating the presence of a sarin degradation product onsite, the bulk of the evidence indicates Aum lacked the requisite personnel, precursor chemicals, and equipment to have developed and tested sarin in Australia at that time.
Faculty and students from the Schar School were well-represented throughout the conference. Ellen Laipson, the Director of the Master’s in International Security degree program and the Center for Security Policy Studies, moderated the Violent Non-State Actors panel which included Chris’s presentation. Adjunct faculty member James Danoy appeared on the “IC Legends” panel discussing his long career in the U.S. Intelligence Community. Master’s in Public Policy candidate Yenting Lin also presented a poster on his research on “Social Media and Algorithms: Growing Far-Right Masculinities and White Supremacy.”
Chaos Intensifies at HHS
All is far from well in the Department of Health and Human Services this week. For starters, Secretary Kennedy, who pledged “radical transparency,” has shuttered much of the organization’s teams responsible for communications, media relations, and FOIA operations. There have also been massive layoffs across the whole organization (with the “help” of Elon Musk and AI, of course), shrinking the HHS workforce to 62,000, with many not learning they had been fired until their badges did not work in the security line when they arrived at their offices Tuesday morning. BARDA is reportedly merging with ARPA-H, the SAMHSA team at the Office of Population Survey has been completely eliminated, and many in senior leadership have been put on administrative leave as HHS looked to fire 10,000 employees on top of the 10,000 that took buyout or retirement offers. The entire situation can only be described as chaos.
Top Vaccine Regulator Forced Out
Last Friday, the administration pushed Peter Marks, who had served as director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research since 2016, out of HHS, offering him the choice to either resign or be fired. Marks chose to resign, effective April 5. Marty Makary, the new FDA Commissioner, signed off on his removal as his first major act in office. This comes after HHS reportedly tapped a vaccine skeptic with a long track record of promoting false claims about connections between immunizations and autism to conduct a study of possible links between the two.
Marks wrote in part of his resignation letter, “My hope is that during the coming years, the unprecedented assault on scientific truth that has adversely impacted public health in our nation comes to an end so that the citizens of our country can fully benefit from the breadth of advances in medical science. Though I will regret not being able to be part of future work at the FDA, I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a remarkable group of individuals as the staff at FDA and will do my best to continue to advance public health in the future.”
Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy Eliminated
The HHS Office of Infectious Disease & HIV/AIDS Policy has been entirely eliminated, along with CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention. Furthermore, more than 200 federal research grants related to HIV and AIDS have been terminated. Both the HHS and CDC offices are reportedly being merged with a different program in HHS, but there are concerns about this given the distinct responsibilities each office has. Other cuts include the elimination of the Office of Health Equity, dissolving of the Birth Defects Center, cutting the National Center for Environmental Health’s Division of Environmental Health, and much more that is laid out here.
CDC Layoffs Threaten the Nation’s Health
Roughly 18% of the CDC’s workforce has been fired, amounting to 2,400 employees. The administration is still demanding that CDC cuts $2.9 billion of its spending on contracts, in addition to the firings, just two weeks after DOGE asked CDC to cut 35% of its spending. Those laid off include 25% employees of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, and about 1/3 of employees at the CDC’s Injury Center. Furthermore, about 1/3 of employees at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion were fired, which is interesting given how much Secretary Kennedy says he cares about addressing chronic diseases in the US.
Jay Bhattacharya Removes NIH Chiefs from Posts
On his first day in office, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya removed the directors of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the National Institute of Nursing Research from their jobs and placed them on administrative leave. Some of the directors were offered reassignments to the Indian Health Service, the part of HHS tasked with providing medical care and public health services to Native American reservations and Alaska Native communities. This is an unprecedented move, as virtually all institute heads at the NIH remain in office despite administration transitions.
NIOSH and World Trade Center Health Program Gutting
John Howard, the longtime director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), was suddenly fired along with hundreds of staff members at this already undermanned organization. In an especially disgusting development, the administration has, in slashing NIOSH, practically cut off the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. This program provides medical monitoring and treatment of WTC-related health conditions suffered by 9/11 survivors and first responders. The administration previously tried to reduce this program’s budget by 20% in February, but that funding was quickly restored after public backlash once it was reported this would limited critical research into cancers and illnesses in this population.
USA Today explained in their article on this update that, “When a firefighter is newly diagnosed with a 9/11-related disease, it must be certified by the World Trade Center Health Program before treatment can begin, said Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York. By cutting NIOSH staff ‒ including doctors ‒ new medical certifications and treatments can’t occur.”
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Slashed
AHRQ, a tiny agency dedicated to collecting survey data on US healthcare expenditures, experiences, and outcomes and funding research aimed at improving the safety and delivery of health care, has also fallen victim to the Trump administration. On April 1, the administration cut the agency and fired around 50% of its remaining staff (the agency once had close to 2,000 employees). It remains unclear why AHRQ was specifically targeted by the administration.
FDA Planning to Operate with Fewer Food and Drug Inspections
This week, around 170 workers were cut from FDA’s Office of Inspections and Investigations, according to CBS News, as part of HHS layoffs of more than 10,000 employees. While Secretary Kennedy said these layoffs would not directly cut FDA inspection staff, the agency’s remaining leadership is reportedly grappling with how to deal with major delays and disruptions caused by the loss of administrative and management staff who supported inspectors.
One official told CBS that one of the biggest impacts of these actions is that the office’s travel operations division is now gone. This division was responsible for tasks like booking flights and working with the State Department to secure translators needed for inspections of drugmakers and food produces abroad. Another official said of this, “As of yesterday, all front-line investigators will now be spending significant time processing their own travels and related administrative requirements, rather than spending that time in firms ensuring the American consumer is protected.”
Dallas Measles Clinics Forced to Close Amid Budget Cuts
Dozens of measles vaccination clinics in Dallas County, Texas have been shuttered following steep HHS budget cuts. The move, which was accompanied by the laying off of 21 county health workers, came following HHS’s cut of $11.4 billion nationwide in funding for local public health agencies. While the funding was originally allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was being used in 2025 to help with other public health initiatives like prevention, surveillance, and testing of more diseases.
Last week, HHS Director of Communications Andrew Nixon said in a statement “The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. HHS is prioritizing funding projects that will deliver on President Trump’s mandate to address our chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again.“
This has caused mass layoffs and program suspensions at many local health agencies across the country, though a judge blocked the cut temporarily yesterday. Further actions are poised to cut $1 billion in grants to address mental health and substance use issues under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Scientists, Health Groups Sue NIH Over “Ideological Purge”
A group of scientists and health groups filed a lawsuit against the NIH this week, arguing that an “ideological purge” of research funding is illegal and threatens medical cures. The suit aims to restore grant funding and end terminations at the organization, arguing that they violate NIH’s usual science-based review process, orders from Congress to tackle health equity and disparities, and federal regulations.
Further Reading:
- “Health Leaders from Multiple Prior Administrations Sound Alarm Over CDC Cuts,” Lisa Schnirring, CIDRAP
- “The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations,” Patricia Callahan, ProPublica
- “Texas Never Wanted RFK Jr.’s Unproven Measles Treatment,” Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic
Chaos Continues Elsewhere in the Administration and Beyond
Administration Created Draft EO to Declare Illicit Fentanyl a WMD
The Secretaries of Commerce, Defense, Justice, and State reportedly received a copy of a draft executive order in which the president would designate illicit fentanyl a WMD. This seemingly echoes the contents of a bill filed in January in the House by Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado called the “Fentanyl is a WMD Act” that aims to “…require the Assistant Secretary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, and for other purposes.” Similar efforts have been made by state-level Republican leaders in recent years as well.
The draft EO reads in part:
I hereby determine and order:
The flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States through illicit distribution networks has created a national emergency, including a public health crisis in the United States, as outlined in the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (America First Trade Policy), Proclamation 10886 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States), and Executive Order 14157 of January 20, 2025 (Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists).
It later continues:
Section 1. As President of the United States, my highest duty is the defense of the country and its citizens. I will not stand by and allow our citizens to be poisoned by illicit drugs from other countries that are flooding into our country, having our law trampled upon, our communities to be ravaged, or our families to be destroyed. Accordingly, I declare illicit fentanyl to be a Weapon of Mass Destruction as defined in 50 U.S.C. Section 2902
Section 2. Within 14 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to make operational recommendations to implement this order.
Al Mauroni recently wrote a post on his Substack discussing why this is both bad policy as well as incredibly flawed logic. As he explains, DOD is already dedicating time and resources to trying to justify developing countermeasures to fentanyl, despite it never having been used as a weapon in any conflict. Worse, he explains, this may be an attempt to justify military action, similar to what the US did prior to the invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, this modern example even includes Attorney General Pam Bondi waving around a block of fake fentanyl on stage, a sight arguably reminiscent of that of then Secretary of State Colin Powell holding up a model of a vial of anthrax while presenting on alleged Iraqi BW to the UN Security Council.
National Academies Scientists Call on Administration to Stop “Assault” on Science
2,000 top researchers, all of whom are members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, published an open letter this week calling on the Trump administration to stop its “wholesale assault” on science in the US. In part of their letter, they plainly explain what is at risk beyond the livelihoods of researchers affected by funding cuts in the US, writing “If our country’s research enterprise is dismantled, we will lose our scientific edge. Other countries will lead the development of novel disease treatments, clean energy sources, and the new technologies of the future. Their populations will be healthier, and their economies will surpass us in business, defense, intelligence gathering, and monitoring our planet’s health. The damage to our nation’s scientific enterprise could take decades to reverse.”
Trump Administration Reveals Plan to Congress to ‘Abolish’ USAID
The Trump administration has finally outlined its plans to fully abolish USAID and merge what remains of it with the State Department. The administration plans to propose legislation that will formally “abolish USAID as an independent establishment” in its budget request to Congress for FY 2026, according to a Congressional notification sent last week. As USAID was created by Congress, Congress would need to pass a law to legally eliminate the agency, though it is unclear if the administration will wait for lawful congressional approval before moving forward.
In documents obtained by Devex, the administration reveals that it has cut $75.9 billion in programming, accounting for 86% of USAID’s programs, more than the 83% previously reported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Documents reveal the extent of what has been cut, including the United States’ $4 billion COVAX contract, $2.6 billion in funding to Gavi, $1.3 billion in funding to the Global Partnership for Education, and more. However, it is unclear how much of this funding has already been paid out.
WHO Proposes One Billion Dollar Budget Cut for 2026-27
The WHO has proposed cutting its 2026-27 budget by $1.1 billion down to $4.2 billion. The organization has also announced a plan to shed many jobs, citing a $600 million funding hole this year. The US was the largest funder to the WHO, providing $1.2 billion during 2022-23. The sudden loss of such a large contributor is a large part of the WHO’s financial woes, with the Director-General saying in an email to staff, “The United States’ announcement, combined with recent reductions in official development assistance by some countries to fund increased defence spending, has made our situation much more acute.”
Further Reading:
- “The Head of Africa CDC Thought News of a U.S. Aid Freeze Must be ‘a Joke.’ Now What?” Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR
- “Analysis: Tariffs on Canadian Drugs Will Strain US Supply Chain,” Stephanie Soucheray, CIDRAP
- “Tuberculosis is the World’s Top Infectious Killer. Aid Groups Say Trump’s Funding Freezes Will Cause More Deaths,” Issy Ronald, CNN
- “The Full Lethal Impact of Massive Cuts to International Food Aid,” Saskia Osendarp et al., Nature
- “The USAID List of Terminated Global Health Awards – What Does it Tell Us?” Jennifer Kates, KFF
How Firing Scientists Amid a National Outbreak is a Bad Idea
By Meredith Fletcher, Pandora Report Associate Editor
Over the past three weeks Donald Trump has fired over 25,000 federal employees across 18 different agencies, including the National Parks, the FDA and HHS. Nearly half a dozen FDA senior veterinarians were included in that firing sweep. Of course, they worked on the bird flu outbreak. More specifically, they worked on determining the source of bird flu found in pet food, leading to recalls. Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that state officials echo the concern that these firings will threaten our ability to track and respond to the increasing bird flu crisis. Scientists also rely on federal labs to conduct their research, and the removal of funding puts all public health research at risk. Firing national scientists is a bad idea, simply put, because it ruins out ability to contribute to biosecurity, public health and medicine. RFK Jr. wrote on Twitter that the firing sweep purpose was to “realign HHS with its core mission: to stop the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Health Again…” As we learned through COVID-19, not preparing for infectious disease outbreaks leads to crisis.
“GMU Biodefense Alumni at Work: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance at Wilton Park”
Jay Bickell, a Biodefense MS student, recently wrote this summary of three Biodefense PhD Program alumni’s (Jomana Musmar, Yong-Bee Lim, and Saskia Popescu) participation in a workshop at Wilton Park, Through the Kaleidoscope: Antimicrobial Resistance, Conflict and Security. Bickell writes in part, “At the Wilton Park AMR event, these three exceptional GMU alumni engaged with experts across diverse fields including philosophy, national security, veterinary medicine, cultural anthropology, and synthetic biology. A common reflection from all three alumni was the remarkable collaboration and kindness among attendees — a sentiment that clearly extends to Dr. Musmar, Dr. Lim, and Dr. Popescu themselves. Interestingly, the final Kaleidoscope report does not explicitly define the connection between its title and AMR, leaving room for interpretation. In a kaleidoscope, mirrors angled towards each other reflect objects within them, creating shifting patterns. Two people will never see the exact same pattern in a kaleidoscope because of slight differences in their viewing angles and the way the mirrors and objects are arranged. Similarly, AMR is an evolving challenge, with new complexities and solutions emerging as it Interestingly, the final Kaleidoscope report does not explicitly define the connection between its title and AMR, leaving room for interpretation. In a kaleidoscope, mirrors angled towards each other reflect objects within them, creating shifting patterns. Two people will never see the exact same pattern in a kaleidoscope because of slight differences in their viewing angles and the way the mirrors and objects are arranged. Similarly, AMR is an evolving challenge, with new complexities and solutions emerging as it is examined from the perspectives of different disciplines. The diverse expertise of Dr. Musmar, Dr. Lim, and Dr. Popescu, spanning policy, biosecurity, public health, and more, reflects the creativity needed to tackle AMR, and how interdisciplinary collaboration is shaping the evolving landscape of health security.”
“Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism”
From Trust for America’s Health: “As the Nation grapples with a multistate measles outbreak, bird flu, and an increasing number and intensity of weather-related events this annual TFAH report measures states’ preparedness for public health emergencies and makes recommendations to strengthen the nation’s public health system and improve emergency readiness.”
“Oversight of Gain-of-Function Research with Pathogens: Issues for Congress”
Todd Kuiken recently authored this CRS paper outlining considerations for members of Congress regarding GoF research, explaining in part, “Congress may be faced with competing and, in some instances, conflicting national and international priorities when weighing options addressing the risks and benefits of GOF and life sciences research more broadly. Determining whether changes to U.S. biosafety and biosecurity policies are necessary to minimize risks, maximize benefits, and better incorporate and address stakeholder concerns involves weighing complex and intertwined policy issues. Experts on each side invoke the public’s well-being as reasoning for their positions.”
“DNA as a Power Tool in Hybrid Warfare”
This article from the Swedish Defence University discusses the Greyzone Genomics research project and how it is analyzing the likelihood of new hybrid warfare methods based on genetic technology emerging in the near future.
“Working Paper on Norm Contestation in the CW Prohibition Regime”
From CBWNet: “The new working paper by Alexander Kelle analyzes the evolving debate over non-transfer and international cooperation norms in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The paper tracks how states, particularly the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and developed nations, have contested these norms across CWC Review Conferences. While NAM states push for stronger international cooperation, developed countries prioritize non-proliferation obligations, such as export controls. The research highlights persistent divisions and their impact on global chemical weapons governance, predicting that conflicting norm interpretations may persist for the foreseeable future.”
“Working Paper on the Role of Industry on Norms against CW and BW”
From CBWNet: “The new working paper by Ralf Trapp explores the crucial role of industry in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The paper highlights how industry engagement has shaped CWC negotiations, compliance measures, and verification mechanisms. As discussions on strengthening the BWC advance, the paper underscores the need for greater industry involvement to address evolving security challenges while balancing regulatory and business interests.”
“New Hope for the Destruction of Syria’s Chemical Weapons”
“CBNW Magazine Editor Patrick Norén tracks developments in addressing Syria’s chemical weapons program since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.”
“Cross-Platform Multilingual Campaign Amplifies Biolabs Conspiracy Targeting US an Armenia”
Sopo Gelava discusses a Kremlin disinformation campaign in this piece for DFR Lab, writing in part “A cross-platform, multilingual campaign claims the United States is running secret biological experiments in Armenia. The campaign spread on Kremlin-aligned news websites, Telegram, and X. Actors in this campaign cited an article published on the English-language website mynews24.co.uk. The article, titled “Unveiling Washington’s Secret Biolab Experiments in Armenia,” was published on February 14, 2025, by Oliver Evans; the DFRLab could not verify the author’s identity.”
What We’re Listening To 🎧
The Ongoing Transformation: The Rise of Deadly Fungal Pathogens
“Fungi are ubiquitous in nature—in fact, you’re likely breathing in fungal spores as you read this. Most fungi are harmless to healthy people. But changes in the global climate, in human settlement patterns, and even in our own body temperatures have made fungal pathogens an increasing health threat.”
“On this episode, host Jason Lloyd interviews Angel Desai, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at the University of California Davis Medical Center. Desai and George R. Thompson III cowrote “Foiling the Growing Threat of Fungal Pathogens” in the Winter 2025 Issues. Desai discusses what fungal pathogens are, why they are becoming more dangerous, and how the public health community can respond.”
Listen here.
Tech, Policy, and Our Lives, The Next National Security Race: How Biotech is Rewriting Global Power
“A primer on the growing importance of biotechnology in the 21st century intended to be a complement to the upcoming final report of the U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology”
Listen here.
ICYMI: Fireside Chat with Dr. Matthew Meselson, a Catalyst of the Biological Weapons Convention
From Diplo Foundation: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) coming into force—a landmark achievement in global disarmament. At the heart of this historic milestone is Dr Matthew Meselson, a pioneering scientist whose work not only shaped molecular biology but also transformed arms control.”
Watch the event recording here.
ICYMI: 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: What Comes Next?
From NASEM: “This event will reflect on the past 50 years of the Biological Weapons Convention, identifying key accomplishments, lessons learned, and insights that will guide the next 50 years. We will explore the evolving role of science and technology in shaping the future of the BWC and its relevance in eliminating biological weapons. Additionally, the event will highlight opportunities for innovation in nonproliferation, emphasizing the need to broaden participation across sectors, disciplines, and countries, and engage new experts.”
Watch the event recording here.
Digital Technologies for Epidemic Intelligence
From ACHS: “How do risks change during an emerging infectious disease threat? Traditional surveillance methods demonstrate specific limitations when applied to complex or rapidly evolving outbreak situations. Newer digital technologies and event-based surveillance can provide early alerts, data from blind spots or novel ways to integrate data…Dr. Oliver Morgan, Director of the WHO Hub in Berlin, will discuss the potential applications and limitations of emerging digital technologies in strengthening multidisciplinary strategies for epidemic prevention, prediction, and preparedness.”
This webinar will take place on April 22 from 7-8 pm (GMT+8:00). Learn more and register here.
Advancing Biotechnology for a Secure Tomorrow
On April 24, MITRE and the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) will host a conference that will explore the economic and national security implications of emerging biotechnologies. Join us to discuss the NSCEB’s final report and recommendations followed by a series of in-depth discussions on the promotion and protection of the US bioeconomy. Register now!
International Symposium on Transboundary and Emerging Zoonotic Diseases
“The International Symposium on Transboundary and Emerging Zoonotic Diseases is designed to showcase many aspects of the partner institutions’ findings, to serve as a forum for scientists far and wide to present their own findings, and to interact and network extensively with partners. In addition, keynote speakers, each a well-recognized leader in a specific aspect of transboundary or emerging diseases, will present on topics to help guide the overall discussions. Abstracts are welcome for both oral and poster presentations.”
This symposium will take place April 28-30 in Manhattan, Kansas. Learn more and register here by April 4.
NACCHO Preparedness Summit-Pathway to Recovery in the Aftermath of Disasters
From NACCHO: “The Preparedness Summit is the place for you to reenergize while gaining the knowledge, resources, and relationships necessary to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. Join more than 2,500 attendees—who work in all levels of the government (federal, state, and local), emergency management, volunteer organizations, healthcare coalitions, and academia—to share best practices, build partnerships, advance your skillset, and take away innovative solutions and practical strategies to address the vulnerabilities in our country’s health security system.”
This year’s summit will take place April 29-May 2 in San Antonio. Learn more and register here.
Astrobiodefense: Biological Threats and the Next Frontier
From the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense: “This Commission meeting, Astrobiodefense: Biological Threats and the Next Frontier, will be held on May 8, 2025. The focus of this meeting will be to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of how to strengthen international astrobiodefense and planetary protection efforts through: (1) current government astrobiodefense efforts; (2) new scientific and technological advances for astrobiodefense; and (3) collaborative efforts and public-private partnerships to improve astrobiodefense. More information will be provided as the event date approaches.”
This event will take place on May 8 from 10 am-3:40 pm ET in Washington, DC. Register here.
International Pandemic Sciences Conference
“Representatives from academia, industry, civil society and policy are invited to gather in Oxford, UK, and online from 30 June – 1 July 2025 for the International Pandemic Sciences Conference 2025.”
“This year’s conference theme, Getting Ahead of the Curve, will explore how we can work together to predict, identify and control epidemic and pandemic threats globally. ”
“Over two days of plenary, parallel and networking sessions, stakeholders from different sectors and communities will have the opportunity to share ideas, experiences and strategies on prediction, early detection and control of pandemic threats. ”
“The International Pandemic Sciences Conference 2025 is hosted by the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford.”
Learn more, register, and submit abstracts here.
SBA.4 International Synthetic Biology and Biosecurity Conference in Africa
From SynBio Africa: “The SBA 4.0 conference will serve as a platform for fostering connections among industry, academia, community groups, and policymakers. It will showcase innovative applications of synthetic biology and AI, and highlight ongoing efforts in biomathematics, biomanufacturing, one-health, biosafety and biosecurity. It will also facilitate networking and information exchange. Key focus areas include tackling agriculture, health, environmental management, and industry challenges. In Africa, synthetic biology is poised to drive the national development agenda by promoting a sustainable bioeconomy, supporting health and agricultural systems, and aiding environmental conservation and restoration. This event will provide a vital opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and strategize the integration of synthetic biology innovations, address policy, legal frameworks, and communicate the benefits of the technology.”
This conference will take place July 23-25 in Kigali. Learn more and register here.
Ninth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications
From NTI|bio: “The Ninth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition is now open. NTI | bio hosts this competition to provide a platform for the next generation of global leaders in biosecurity to develop original concepts and share them with the wider biosecurity community. This year’s co-sponsors include 80,000 Hours, CBWNet, the iGEM Foundation, the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS), the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation.”
“This year, the competition invites innovative and creative papers focused on how to define “biological weapons,” given the ever-evolving biothreat landscape. The full prompt is provided below.”
Learn more here.
Blueprint Biosecurity Hiring
Blueprint Biosecurity, a non-profit, is hiring a Government Affairs Director and Project AIR Program Director. Both positions are based in Washington, DC. Read more about Blueprint Biosecurity’s work and the challenges this organization is tackling here. Apply by April 6.
Apply for the 2025 Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship
“The global norm against biological weapons cannot be maintained without the inclusion of youth voices in the multilateral discussions taking place in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Youth perspectives are key to create innovative solutions and generate long-term engagement. There are benefits to including the perspectives of young people from developing countries, where over 90% of the world’s youth reside.”
“Organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva, in partnership with key international actors that empower youth in science diplomacy and global biosecurity, the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship provides a unique learning and networking experience in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention.”
“Launched in 2019 as a Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop, the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative organized its first fellowship in 2023. For the third edition, the fellowship will provide the opportunity for 20 competitively selected young scientists from the Global South to join an online interactive training programme prior to a field visit during the meeting of the BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention in Geneva.”
Learn more and apply by April 7 here.
NOFO, Addressing Agricultural Biorisk Evidence Base Gaps with Applied Research
“There is a global recognition that the current evidence base to inform laboratory biological risk management has gaps, and that biosafety and biosecurity policies are not always based on evidence.1 This notice of funding will support the design and implementation of applied biorisk research to address evidence gaps in working with high-consequence veterinary and agricultural pathogens as identified during the RAV3N Biorisk and Biosafety Gap Assessment Workshop2 or similar gap analysis like the WOAH working group agent specific biorisk gap analysis.1 ERGP is seeking proposals that address one or more key focus area components listed below. Each proposal will go through an internal ERGP and external expert review. Successful proposals should address at least one of the three key focus areas and at least one component under that area.”
“This funding opportunity aims at the design and implementation of applied biorisk research to address evidence gaps in working with high-consequence veterinary and agricultural pathogens.”
“This work will contribute to recommended guidance on laboratory biosafety and agricultural biosecurity, using research techniques to evaluate the application and effectiveness in operational contexts. All proposals must make a clear experimental plan for how the applicant will test the application and outcomes of their focus area(s)/component(s) in their facility.”
Learn more and submit application by April 14 here.
The Pandora Report 