This week’s Pandora Report discusses updates from the Schar School, the Geneva Protocol’s 100th anniversary, federal rulings against HHS to terminate employees and funding, and more.
Schar School Hosts Counterterrorism Summit 2025
George Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government recently hosted this year’s Counterterrorism Summit at its campus in Arlington, VA. This conference was organized by Schar School associate professor Mahmut Cengiz, who is also the PI of the Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center at GMU’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center. The event brought together an international array of experts to probe the threats the world faces, to illuminate the weapons needed to combat terrorism, and, perhaps most crucially, to hear the stories that make the effort to thwart terrorism so crucial. It also included panels hosted by different Schar School faculty members, including Cengiz and Gregory Koblentz, director of the Biodefense Graduate Program.
Read more about this conference here.
The Geneva Protocol Turns 100
This week marked the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Protocol, a landmark treaty that banned the use of chemical and biological weapons in warfare. Signed in the aftermath of World War I, the Protocol was a pivotal step in the global effort to prevent the horrors of chemical warfare from recurring. Over the past century, it has served as a foundation for further arms control agreements and remains a symbol of the international community’s enduring commitment to preventing the use of these weapons.
Further Reading:
- “Commemorating a Century of the Geneva Protocol: OPCW Statement on 100 Years of Chemical and Biological Arms Control,” Amb. Fernando Arias, OPCW
- Statement from UNODA High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu on the 100th Anniversary of the Geneva Protocol
- “Comment of the MFA on the 100th Anniversary of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
DHS Proposes Dissolving Office for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
In an overhaul that is laid out in the FY 2026 Congressional Budget Justification, the Department of Homeland Security is proposing disbanding and redistributing its Office for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD). This comes after heavy attrition in the office earlier this year due to concerns about uncertainty of the office’s future. No funds have been requested for FY 2026 for CWMD, and its policy, coordination, and oversight roles are set to be redistributed. Several key functions and organizations under CWMD will be transferred to other parts of DHS. For example, the National Biosurveillance Integration Center will be moved to the Office of Health Security, and several operational programs, including BioWatch, will be moved to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Infrastructure Security Division. As Global Biodefense notes, these efforts are an attempt to embed CBRNE responsibilities into operational missions, but it comes after years of instability that started under the first Trump administration. This move will also end centralized oversight for this area within DHS, potentially harming DHS’ ability to respond to WMD threats while also risking redundant efforts and challenges in prioritization.
HHS Updates
NIH Releases Notice Terminating or Suspending “Dangerous” GoF Research
The National Institutes of Health has released a notice informing the biomedical research community that, in accordance with a previous Executive Order, the organization will “Terminate funding and other support for projects, including unfunded collaborations/projects, meeting the definition of dangerous gain-of-function research conducted by foreign entities in countries of concern or foreign countries where there is not adequate oversight; and Suspend all other funding and other support for projects, including unfunded collaborations/projects, meeting the definition of dangerous gain-of-function research at least until implementation of the new policy described in Section 4(a) of the Executive Order.”
According to the notice, NIH not accept requests for exceptions to this action if it is determined that the requested exception meets the EO’s definition of dangerous gain-of-function research. NIH will also require all awardees to review ongoing research activities to identify any NIH funding and support for projects that meet this definition that has not yet been identified by NIH. Researchers will be required to notify NIH of any such work by June 30, 2025.
NIH Ordered to Restore Funding for Research Focused on Minority and LGBTQ+ People
A Reagan-appointed federal judge ordered the NIH to immediately restore research funds that were terminated by NIH for research focused on racial minorities and LGBTQ+ people. The judge, Thomas Young, accused the administration of “appalling” and “palpably clear” discrimination against these groups, stating “I’ve never seen a record where racial discrimination was so palpable. I’ve sat on this bench now for 40 years. I’ve never seen government racial discrimination like this.”
Young further explained that, “I am hesitant to draw this conclusion — but I have an unflinching obligation to draw it — that this represents racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ+ community. That’s what it is. I would be bling not to call it out. My duty is to call it out.”
Young explained that, while he is uncertain that he has the ability to block the related Executive Orders themselves, that the NIH cuts are illegal and void. An appeal is expected.
Further Reading:
- “Cutting the NIH–The $8 Trillion Health Care Catastrophe,” David M. Cutler and Edward Glaeser, JAMA Health Forum
- “Researchers Warn U.S. is on the ‘Precipice’ of Brain Drain as Trump Cuts Federal Grants,” Laura Santhanam, PBS News
- “Via the False Claims Act, NIH Puts Universities on Edge,” Sara Talpos, Undark
- “In Fight Over Research Overhead Funding, Universities Propose Alternatives to Trump’s Cuts,” Jonathan Wosen, STAT News
CDC Official Who Oversaw COVID-19 Hospitalization Data Resigns
Fiona Havers, MD, MHS, FIDS, who worked within CDC’s Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division and oversaw the Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET), has resigned from the agency, citing a lack of confidence that the data she oversaw will be used appropriately. RESP-NET’s analysis has previously factored into the CDC Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices’ decision making. In an email sent to colleagues, she wrote, “I no longer have confidence that these data will be used objectively or evaluated with appropriate scientific rigor to make evidence-based vaccine policy decisions.
Further Reading:
- “Why a Vaccine Expert Left the C.D.C.: ‘Americans Are Going to Die,'” Apoorva Mandavilli, The New York Times
- “‘We Are Less Safe, Plain and Simple’ Former CDC Director Tom Frieden on the Trump Administration’s Relentless Attack on Public Health,” Benjamin Hart, New York Magazine
White House, OMB Propose 54% Cut to CDC Budget in FY 2026
The FY2026 budget proposal includes a proposed reduction of CDC’s funding from $9.3 billion (combined with ASTDR, for which the CDC handles most administrative functions) down to $4.3 billion. This would include a $1.4 billion cut to chronic disease prevention, $794 million in cuts to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, STD, & TB prevention, and $371 million in cuts to global health. Of those programs that would be eliminated, relatively few of them are expected to be moved to the Administration for a Healthy America or the HHS Office of the Secretary. Under this proposal, 36% of CDC’s existing programs will be eliminated.
Read the CDC Data Project’s break down of the proposed cuts here.
Further Reading:
- “Strengthening Biosecurity Efforts Without the Federal Government,” Farah Sonde, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
- “CDC Staffing Upheaval Disrupts HIV Projects and Wastes Money, Researchers Say,” Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News
- “CDC Interim Leaders, in First All-Hands Meeting, Speak of ‘Myth-Busting’ and ‘Resilience,'” Helen Branswell, STAT News
Federal Judge Blocks Administration from Withdrawing Public Health Funding to Four Municipalities
US District Court Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, DC issued a preliminary injunction this week preventing the federal government from withdrawing millions in public health funding from four municipalities in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, and Missouri. The injunction was sought by district attorneys in Harris County, TX (home of Houston), Columbus, OH, Nashville, TN, and Kansas City, MO, all of which are led by Democratic elected officials. The lawsuit, which was filed in late April, alleged that the $11 billion in CDC program funding had already been approved by Congress and was therefore being unconstitutionally withheld from the municipalities. The lawsuit further argues that the administration’s actions violate HHS regulations. This is the second such federal ruling that has reinstated public health funding across several states.
Further Reading on Questions, Concerns About COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation Changes, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices:
- “Kennedy’s HHS Sent Congress ‘Junk Science’ to Defend Vaccine Changes, Experts Say,” Jackie Fortiér, KFF Health News
- “Kennedy’s New Vaccine Advisers Helped Lawyers Raise Doubts About Their Safety,” Christina Jewett and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, The New York Times
- “How Vaccine Critics Appointed by RFK Jr. Could Limit Access to Shots,” Lena H. Sun and Lauren Weber, The Washington Post
- “Six Former CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee Chairs Warn: U.S. Risks Losing Access to Life-Saving Immunizations,” Grace Lee, Nancy Bennett, Jonathan Temte, Carol Baker, and José Romero, STAT News
- “RFK Jr. is Sabotaging the Vaccine Program. Here’s How to Stop Him,” Ashish K. Jha, The Washington Post
- “Celebrated, Then Disparaged: mRNA’s Promise is Tarnished Under Trump,” Daniel Gilbert, Carolyn Y. Johnson and Rachel Roubein, The Washington Post
- “Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at a Crossroads,” Edwin J. Asturias, Noel T. Brewer, and Oliver Brooks, JAMA
- “The Vaccine Integrity Project – Interim Update (June 17 2025),” CIDRAP
US Measles Cases Continue to Rise
In the most recent update released by the CDC, the number of measles cases in the United States this year has risen to 1,197, the most the US has had in a single year since 2019 (1,274 for the total year). 35 states have reported outbreaks, including Arizona, which reported its first cases for the year during the week before CDC’s update. While 3% of US cases so far are in individuals who have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, the CDC reports that none of those hospitalized with measles this year have documented evidence of receiving both doses of the vaccine. Canada and Mexico also continue to experience significant outbreaks.
Further Reading:
- “Kennedy’s New US Vaccine Panel to Discuss Measles Shot for Children,” Michael Erman and Ahmed Aboulenein, Reuters
- “3% of Measles Cases are Among Fully Vaccinated Individuals, CDC Says,” Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today
- “Ontario’s Measles Outbreak Through the Eyes of Front-Line Workers,” Hannah Alberga, MSN
“Assassinations? Defamation? How Genetic Technology Could Destabilize the World”
Tony Ingesson, David Gisselsson Nord, and Filippa Lentzos recently published this article in The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in which they explain “…when discussing future risks of genetic technology, the security policy community has largely focused on spectacular scenarios of genetically tailored bioweapons or artificial intelligence (AI) engineered superbugs. A more imminent weaponization concern is more straightforward: the risk that nefarious actors use the genetic techniques and services that exist today to frame, defame, or even assassinate targets. Rather than on the battlefield, adversaries are more likely to use this technology in the gray zone—the murky area of geopolitical conflict where attribution is difficult, and countries aim to destabilize instead of destroy opponents.”
Applied Biosafety Special Issue: Biosafety and Biosecurity for Potential Pandemic Pathogens and Dual-Use Research of Concern
This special issue of Applied Biosafety includes several articles likely of interest to readers of The Pandora Report, including “The Evolution of United States Governance Policies for Research Using Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential,” “Dual-Use Research and Publication Policies: A Comparison of Journals in Life Sciences and Artificial Intelligence,” “Trust, but Verify: A “Just Culture” Model for Oversight of Potentially High-Risk Life Sciences Research,” and more.
“Mpox, Myths and Media Manipulation”
From EUvsDisinfo: “Pro-Kremlin disinformation tactics are again weaponising health fears in Africa, echoing deadly Cold War-era campaigns that once fuelled HIV/AIDS denial…Conspiracy theories and disinformation about mpox mirror decades-old propaganda playbooks. We uncover why exposing disinformation that preys on health scares is necessary to combat the spread of deadly diseases alongside delivering vaccines.”
“The “Virus Hunter” Who Advanced Public Health, One Tool at a Time”
This profile published in The Scientist was written by Shelby Bradford: “Ian Lipkin, an experimental pathologist at Columbia University, is today most famous for discovering more than 2,000 viruses, which earned him the moniker “virus hunter,” over a decades-long career in pathogen discovery. However, Lipkin’s original trajectory was on a path of anthropology and theater. “I never had any anticipation and never any plan to go into medicine, let alone to go into science. It’s just something that crept up on me,” he said. A chance intro to organic chemistry—what he thought would be his first and last basic science course—steered him onto a course in public health and research.”
Read the full profile here.
“Health and Science Diplomacy Protects Everyone”
This piece by Joshua Glasser was published in Think Global Health. In it, Glasser discusses what is at risk in the US withdrawing from science and health diplomacy, writing in part, “The risk here is not only that competitors could seize the mantle of leadership and reshape the world in their image, it is also that partners and allies will lose trust in the United States and withdraw from cooperation altogether. Budget cuts are tough. The loss of staff and institutional knowledge systems has been devastating…But a decline in trust and the cooperative mentality—benefits that arise from a functioning health and science diplomacy system—are the most difficult problem of all.”
“The Future of the Chemical Weapons Convention: Recommendations from Civil Society for Addressing Challenges Over the Next Five Years”
From the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition: “In July 2023, the world reached a landmark achievement in the history of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs): the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed the verified and irreversible destruction of all known chemical weapons stockpiles. 26 years after the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force, it had achieved one of its major goals, becoming the first multilateral disarmament treaty to effectively eliminate an entire class of weapons.”
“This was not the first time that the CWC led the way in disarmament. With 193 member states, the CWC is the most universal of multilateral disarmament treaties. In 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its “extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.”’
“The CWC was opened for signature in January 1993 and officially entered into force on 29 April 1997, after the 65th state party adhered to the convention. The treaty is thorough in its attempt to rid the world of chemical weapons: it outlaws the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and retention of chemical weapons. The goal of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to create a word “free from the threat of chemical weapons” is one step closer now that all declared stockpiles have been destroyed. This latest achievement offered a glimmer of hope in the arms control world amidst rising tensions among nuclear armed powers.”
Read the report here.
What We’re Listening To 🎧
KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’ Ep. 401, “RFK Jr. Upends Vaccine Policy, After Promising He Wouldn’t”
“After explicitly promising senators during his confirmation hearing that he would not interfere in scientific policy over which Americans should receive which vaccines, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week fired every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the group of experts who help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention make those evidence-based judgments. Kennedy then appointed new members, including vaccine skeptics, prompting alarm from the broader medical community.”
“Meanwhile, over at the National Institutes of Health, some 300 employees — many using their full names — sent a letter of dissent to the agency’s director, Jay Bhattacharya, saying the administration’s policies “undermine the NIH mission, waste our public resources, and harm the health of Americans and people across the globe.”’
“This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine.”
Listen here.
NEW: Biodefense in Crisis: Danger and Opportunity
“This Commission meeting, Biodefense in Crisis: Danger and Opportunity, will be held on July 22, 2025. As a new Administration begins to develop its policy priorities and realigns federal offices and programs, the government must maintain and strengthen federal capabilities to address the biological threat. The focus of this meeting will be to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of (1) core requirements for effective national biodefense; (2) Administration biodefense priorities; (3) impacts of department and agency realignment; and (4) strategies for addressing future biological threats. More information will be provided as the event date approaches.”
This event will take place on July 22, 10 am-4 pm ET in Washington, DC. Register 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.
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.
CTD-SPECTRE 2nd Annual Symposium
“The CTD-SPECTRE Symposium on Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases for Clinicians and Translational Scientists 2025 offers a unique opportunity to connect with global experts, gain cutting-edge insights, and collaborate with peers dedicated to infectious disease research and treatment.”
“Taking place September 16 -19, 2025, at the historic Grand Galvez in Galveston, TX, this immersive symposium will unite clinicians, translational investigators, and trainees to explore the latest breakthroughs in tropical and emerging infectious diseases.”
Learn more and register here.
NEW: Applied Biosafety Call for Papers
“The Editors of Applied Biosafety are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue focused on the myriad of topics associated with global biosafety management. This special issue will showcase examples of innovative approaches, creative solutions, and best practices developed and used around the world for managing risks associated with the handling, use, and storage of infectious biological agents, toxins, and potentially infectious materials in research and clinical settings.”
Learn more and submit by November 1 here.
NEW: Request for Proposals: Biosafety and Biosecurity Capacity Strengthening in Support of the 100 Days Mission
From CEPI: “This Request for Proposals (RfP) will support the establishment of a group of implementation partners to enable successful implementation of CEPI’s Biosecurity Strategy, focused on objectives associated with capacity strengthening, equity, and health-security partnerships, as described in CEPI’s Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan. The selected applicants will sign a Framework Agreement under which CEPI can make “call-offs”, i.e. requests for services, related to specific tasks. At CEPI’s direction, services rendered under this Framework Agreement may be provided to CEPI internally, or to a partner organization (e.g. partner countries, affiliates within CEPI’s laboratory and manufacturing networks particularly in the Global South, international organisations, etc.); such partners may govern aspects of the content of the work, but the legal agreement remains with CEPI.”
Learn more and submit proposals by July 30 here.
Announcing the Arms Control Knowledge Transfer Initiative Primary Source Archive
The Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) has launched the Arms Control Knowledge Transfer Initiative (ACKTI), a program designed to preserve knowledge through senior expert interviews and primary source archival research, to educate the next generation of arms control experts on all aspects of arms control, including negotiation, implementation, inspection, and more.
Call for Applications: Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship (2025)
“…the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) is continuing to develop and cultivate creative solutions to help address biological threats, including a particular focus on reducing risks of the deliberate misuse of infectious diseases and other biological materials, processes, and products. As part of this work, CSR is announcing an open call for applications for our new Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship, which follows an early-2024 beta run of the program.”
“In this “bootcamp” fellowship, successful applicants will learn from leading experts committed to biological threat reduction and biosecurity, including current and former government officials who helped dismantle Cold War-era biological weapons capabilities, advance international biological cooperation, and drive policy progress. They will interact with leading current and former experts as well as public and private sector innovators.”
Learn more and apply by July 7 here.
The Pandora Report 