Pandora Report 10.17.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features unprecedented disruptions across U.S. federal health agencies, including mass layoffs at the CDC and HHS, emerging challenges in biotechnology governance with BIOSECURE 2.0 and AI-drive generative biology, and new global health security initiatives from WHO and GPMB to improve early detection and pandemic preparedness across governments and communities.

Thinking About Graduate Study in Biodefense?

The Schar School of Policy and Government has several upcoming recruitment events, including one for prospective PhD students:

🔗 See all upcoming events here.

☕ Plus: Regional coffee chats with faculty and admissions staff across Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Learn more here.

💡 Tuition Benefit: Master’s and certificate students living in Maryland and DC quality for in-state tuition rates. Learn more and register here.

Fragmented Foundations: The Consequences of Mass Firings, Government Shutdown, and Political Turmoil Across U.S. Federal Agencies

By Carmen Shaw, Co-Managing Editor

The U.S. public health system is reeling from an unprecedented wave of mass firings, rehirings, and leadership reshuffles across federal health agencies. The Hill reports that more than 4,100 federal employees were laidoff on Friday, Oct. 10 – what many are describing as a “workforce massacre.” More than 1,000 staff at the CDC received layoff letters, while another 1,100-1,200 were terminated from the HHS. This marks the latest blow to the CDC that was already strained by mass resignations, a shooting at its Atlanta headquarters in August, and the recent firing of its director, Dr. Susan Monarez, under pressure from the HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Many of the CDC layoffs were later rescinded following public outcry, with the Trump administration claiming the decisions were made in error. The reversals, however, only deepened the sense of confusion and unease within the agency, and were not without consequences – as critical teams in biodefense and preparedness were still gutted. Those affected included staff from the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), known as “disease detectives,” experts from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) – the CDC’s flagship alert system for emerging infectious diseases, and teams working on chronic disease, immunization, respiratory illnesses, and responses to the growing measles outbreak in the U.S.

“The effect of the on-again, off-again RIF on the psyche of a traumatized organization is not inconsequential,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, one of the three senior CDC leaders who resigned in August to protest Monarez’s firing. “Americans are going to get hurt,” he warned. Daskalakis, formerly the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, saw his leadership team laid off – and then hastily brought back.

Other agencies were also affected. According to The Hill, “Friday’s RIFs also impacted approximately 466 Education Department employees, 442 Department of Housing and Urban Development employees, 315 Commerce Department employees, 187 Energy Department employees and 176 Department of Homeland Security employees.”

The cuts came during the second week of a government shutdown – a move both unusual and legally contested. Lawsuits have since been filed by the American Federal of Government Employees, the nation’s largest federal employee union, among others, which sued hours before the government funding lapsed on Oct. 1, arguing that the administration lacks the authority to permanently eliminate positions during a shutdown and may only furlough workers.

Taken together, these mass firings and policy shifts represent more than bureaucratic mismanagement; they signal a strategic and dangerous devaluation of scientific integrity and public health. Each day of the shutdown leaves federal research programs in limbo, delaying critical work in university labs that rely on federal funding. Experts warn that if the shutdown continues for even a few more weeks, the disruptions could become “devastating,” echoing challenges from the longest shutdown in 2019. Every dismissal, delayed report, and frozen study further erodes national preparedness against biological risks. Unless decisive action is taken to restore transparency, scientific independence from political motives, and stable leadership, the United States risks entering the next public health emergency with a fractured, demoralized workforce and a weakened scientific infrastructure.

Further Reading:

From BIOSECURE 2.0 to Generative Biology: Evolving Challenges in Biotechnology Governance

Lawmakers and analysts are sounding the alarm over the rapid pace of biotechnology advanced abroad – particularly in China – arguing that U.S. leadership in defense biotech is slipping at a critical moment. As Defense One reports, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Rep. Chrissy Houlaha (D-Pa.), and other members of Congress are urging greater investment in defense-oriented biotech research to counter China’s growing dominance in gene editing, biomanufacturing, and pharmaceutical innovation. RealClear World similarly warns that the American biotech ecosystem is increasingly “made in China,” with U.S. supply chains, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and chemical industries deeply dependent on Chinese firms.

In response, the House and Senate services committees have added a number of biotechnology measures into the most recent National Defense Authorization Act bill, including a new amendment named “BIOSECURE 2.0,” building on 2024’s BIOSECURE 1.0 Act. While BIOSECURE 1.0 explicitly named four Chinese firms as “biotechnology companies of concern,” the updated legislation shifts toward a process-based identification system. Instead of naming any specific companies, BIOSECURE 2.0 will identify companies of concern based on whether they meet certain statutorily defined criteria and national security risk assessments, allowing for more adaptive and transparent enforcement.

Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum highlights the urgent need to build safeguards around generative biology, which integrates AI, automation, and computational design to accelerate the creation of novel biological systems. While this convergence is transforming industries – from Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which has successfully predicted 3D structures of millions of proteins, to food companies like Perfect Day and Impossible Foods using engineered microbes to produce alternatives to conventional dairy and livestock –  generative biology also introduces profound security concerns. One group of risks include emerging AI threats, warning that these systems could lower barriers to misuse, are vulnerable to adversarial attacks that could compromise the model’s accuracy, and allow for the insertion of poisoned datasets that could distort results, leading to inflated false positives and negatives.  

A recent NBC News investigation found that certain versions of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) could be “tricked and manipulated” to provide detailed instruction on creating chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, underscoring how AI may inadvertently expand access to dangerous expertise. These vulnerabilities illustrate the dual-use dilemma of emerging technologies, emphasizing the urgent need for pre-deployment testing, regulatory oversight, and ethical frameworks to prevent malicious applications while advancing scientific progress.

Further Reading:

Advancing Global Health Security: WHO and GPMD Launch New Preparedness Systems

The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMD) launched its 2025 report, The New Face of Pandemic Preparedness, during the World Health Summit in Berlin on Oct. 13, calling for a paradigm shift in pandemic preparedness through scaled up investment in primary healthcare, real-time risk assessment, and strengthened international cooperation to ensure local, regional and global communities are ready to prevent and respond to the next pandemic.

Complementing this, the WHO has introduced two major initiatives to bolster global health security. First, the PHSM Decision Navigator, a first-of-its-kind decision navigator framework designed to support governments in making complex, evidence-informed, and threat-agnostic public health and social measures (PHSM) decisions during global health emergencies. By offering a step-by-step guide to prioritize and adjust interventions like quarantine, masking, and mobility restrictions, the navigator aims to balance epidemiological risks, economic and social impacts, and ethical considerations.

Second, WHO launched version 2.0 of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, which leverages AI and expanded data sources to provide early detection of public health threats worldwide. Together, these tools exemplify the critical need for agile, transparent, and science-driven systems in preparing governments and communities to respond effectively in health emergencies.

Further Reading:

Avian Influenza Updates

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor

Bird Flu Season Kicks into High Gear Across the United States

Fall bird flu season appears well under way as H5N1 activity surges across the United States in commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks, and wild bird populations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed multiple significant outbreaks in the last month, with 47 flocks affected, including 28 commercial operations and 19 backyard locations, totaling more than 4.4 million birds.

The geographic distribution appears concentrated in Midwest and Southern states. Three large commercial turkey farms in Minnesota experienced major losses this week, with facilities reporting 30,000, 61,000, and 92,000 infections across three counties. The Pacific Northwest also faces rising bird flu fears following detection of H5N1 in a commercial egg layer facility in Washington, housing nearly 2 million birds. Oregon and Idaho identified additional cases in both backyard flocks and, in Idaho’s case, a preliminary confirmation in a dairy herd as well.

Wild bird detections have spiked particularly among migratory waterfowl species. Hunter-harvested blue-winged teal in Kansas tested positive for H5N1, as did specimens collected in Louisiana. Black vultures, turkey vultures, Canada geese, and trumpeter swans have shown H5 positivity across multiple states including Wyoming, Ohio, Colorado, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, and Michigan.

From Farm to Table: Bird Flu May be Hiding in Artisanal Cheeses

As bird flu expands into cattle populations, emerging research has identified an unexpected food safety concern in cheese. The virus has been shown to survive the aging process in certain raw milk cheeses, potentially reaching consumers on supermarket shelves months after contaminated milk was used.

A study published in early October in Nature Medicine revealed that in cheeses with moderate pH levels between 5.8 and 6.6, infectious H5N1 persisted after 120 days of aging at a temperature of 39 Fahrenheit. The FDA requires that raw milk cheese must be aged a minimum of 60 days at or above 35 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning there is a potential health risk for consumers. However, not all raw milk cheeses appear to pose a risk. Researchers found that highly acidic cheeses like feta, which has a pH around 4.6 or lower, showed no detectable virus, suggesting acidity acts as a natural antiviral barrier.

These findings create a troubling situation for the cheese industry as the qualities that give artisanal cheeses their prized flavors and textures are the same conditions that may allow H5N1 to persist. It also puts additional strain on dairy farmers already grappling with herd infections across 17 states. A single contaminated milk batch could produce hundreds of wheels of cheese destined for distribution before any problem is detected.

Mitigation pathways exist but will require industry coordination: screening milk samples prior to cheese making to ensure only virus-free milk is used or heating milk to sub-pasteurization temperatures to preserve the desirable raw milk characteristics while rendering the pathogen harmless. The challenge lies in implementing these measures rapidly enough to protect both industry viability and public health.

H5N1 Vaccine Project Aims to Meet 100-Day Development Target

This week the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced a significant partnership with the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, to develop a new H5N1 vaccine as a prototype for Disease X, an as-yet unknown pathogen with pandemic potential.

The goal of the project, which has been granted $16.4 million in financial support, is to allow rapid development of broadly protective vaccines capable of responding to multiple H5 virus strains. The vaccine will be developed on a baculovirus platform and will compare two H5 antigens for a recombinant protein vaccine: a wild-type and an artificial intelligence (AI)-optimized, broad-spectrum H5 antigen designed by scientists at Houston Methodist Research Institute. 

According to CEPI leadership, the project is a key component of the organization’s ambitious 100-day mission, which aims to compress vaccine development timelines to within 100 days of identifying a pandemic threat.

Further Reading:

“Milton Leitenberg: Pioneering Work on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Wars and Arms Control”

Kathleen M. Vogel, Nicole J. Ball, and Milton Leitenberg are pleased to announce the publication of Milton Leitenberg: Pioneering Work on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Wars and Arms Control (Springer, 2025). This nearly 900-page book is a collection of 44 representative publications and papers by Milton Leitenberg on nuclear and biological arms control, wars, conflicts, genocide and humanitarian intervention, and weapons of mass destruction. Several chapters explore aspects of disinformation, notably on the use and production of biological weapons and the origins of Covid.  In addition to publications that appeared in journals and books, this volume contains several previously unpublished reports prepared for national and international organizations. Spanning 55 years, these studies made substantial contributions to policy literature and discussions over the years and are of continued interest to security studies, political science, and policy audiences today.

This book is available in hard copy and eBook formats here

NEW: 2025 Scowcroft Institute Pandemic Policy Summit, “Bridging the Gaps: Resilient Supply Chains in the Age of Pandemics.”

From the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs: “This summit will convene scholars, policymakers, emergency managers, international partners, and industry leaders to examine the vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health emergencies and explore innovative policy solutions to strengthen domestic and global supply chain resilience. Together, we will identify strategies to ensure the reliable flow of critical goods and services in the face of future pandemics and public health crises.”

The summit will take place on October 27-28 in College Station, TX. Learn more and register here.

AI, Health, and the Future of Scientific Cooperation: A Seminar

From Harvard Kennedy School: “This seminar explores how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, global health, and the scientific enterprise: accelerating discovery, strengthening biosecurity, and reshaping international collaboration. Moderated by Dr. Syra Madad, fellow and biosecurity expert, the discussion will highlight both the opportunities and risks at the intersection of AI, medicine, and scientific cooperation in a rapidly evolving world.”

This event will take place from 12:00-2:00pm ET on October 20. Register here.

Improving Resiliency in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Through Make-Buy-Invest Strategic Actions: A Workshop

From NASEM: “The National Academies will convene a hybrid public workshop, October 22-23, to develop a framework to inform policymakers and stakeholders on how to apply Make, Buy, or Invest strategies across the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain. Discussions will consider variables such as national security and health; drug manufacturing practices; systemic enablers to support implementation practices; methods to assess market conditions; and the roles of key public and private stakeholders to influence the resilience of the domestic drug supply chain.”

This event will take place from 8:30am-5:30pm ET on October 22-23. Register here.

Governance of Dual-Use Risks of Synthetic Biology: Recent Efforts in China

From the Asia Centre for Health Security: “Scientific progress in cutting-edge biotechnology has enabled the development of new medical countermeasures and disease surveillance capabilities. With the increasing ease of use and accessibility, and lower cost of biotechnology, unintentional misuse or deliberate abuse of dual-use cutting edge biotechnology will result in serious economic and security consequences.

Professor Zhang will explain how the Tianjin University Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, the first scientific think tank focusing biotechnology-related biosecurity governance in China, raises awareness of the dual-use risks of biotechnology, develops solutions and policies to address these risks, and reinforces ethical practice in the scientific community.”

This event will take place from 6:00–7:00 pm (GMT+08:00) on October 23. Register here.

Exploring Applications of AI in Genomics and Precision Health: A Workshop

From NASEM: “The National Academies’ Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health will host a hybrid public workshop on October 28 to explore current and potential future applications for AI in genomics and precision health along the continuum from translational research to clinical applications. The workshop will:

  • Explore the current implementation of AI in genomics and precision health (e.g., variant interpretation, data integration, patient and participant identification, return of results, treatment selection).
  • Discuss potential benefits and challenges of future AI applications (e.g., data harmonization and security, workforce, and usefulness for all).
  • Consider evaluations for and impact of the accuracy of, and bias inherent to, AI technologies in genomics-related research and clinical care.
  • Examine lessons learned from applications of AI in other fields that may be transferable to genomics and precision health throughout the translational research process.”

This workshop will take place 8:30am-5:00pm ET on October 28. Register here.

Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction

From the World Organisation for Animal Health: “In October 2025, WOAH is hosting its third Global Conference, with the goal of galvanising advocacy efforts to manage the rising risk of biological threats from across the world.”

“The Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction – which will take place in Geneva on 28-30 October 2025 – will bring together top minds in the fields of
health-security, emerging technologies, and biothreat reduction policies, from the public and private sectors – to focus on the latest strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems.”

“The Conference will bring together approximately 400 participants from different sectors, including animal health, law enforcement and security, public health, international and regional organisations, investment and development partners, private sector and industry representatives, research, academia and regulatory authorities, youth organisations.”

“Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions and innovative technical presentations aimed at strengthening prevention, preparedness and response capabilities across the world.”

“The event will be guided by a narrative that traces WOAH’s commitment to biological threat reduction and the increasingly relevant role it plays at the health-security interface. Against the backdrop of an uncertain future, WOAH believes that synergies between sectors can drive positive change – making the world a safer and healthier place. ”

Learn more and register here.

AI-Accelerated Biological Risk: Delving into Asia’s Challenges and Emerging Solutions

From Singapore AI Safety Hub: “As AI-enabled biodesign accelerates, so do the questions around responsible development, risk mitigation, and international cooperation. This 90-minute virtual roundtable brings together experts from AI safety, biosecurity research and policy to explore:

🔬 What are the most urgent AI-bio risks we face today—and which ones aren’t getting enough attention?

🌏 How does Asia’s unique regulatory and research landscape shape these challenges and opportunities?

🛡️ What solutions and interventions show the most promise for responsible governance?

🚀 What practical steps should researchers, policymakers, and practitioners prioritize in the next 12 months?

This panel will explore the convergence of AI and biosecurity—unpacking Asia’s unique challenges, emerging solutions, and the pathways toward responsible governance. From urgent risk assessment to practical next steps for researchers and policymakers, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.”

This virtual roundtable will take place from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM EDT on Thursday, October 30. Register here.

Nexus Series: AI x Bio: Workshop 1

From AI for SynBio: “Agentic AI and Biological Design Tools reduce the required expertise for new biotech developments enabling new benefits and novel harms. To guard against these harms, technical and policy solutions leveraging these AI and biotech advances should be deployed proactively to help red-team and safeguard against misuse in an exponentially changing landscape. This workshop series will shape the safeguards necessary to prevent harm and empower the community with technical and policy resources for the changing threat landscape. The workshop seeks participation from academia, non-profits, industry, and government.”

This event will take place on November 13. Register 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: The Human Biosafety Health Foundation – A New Hub for Biosafety in the Mediterranean

From the Human Biosafety Health Foundation: “The Human Biosafety Health Foundation has been established to promote research, training, and international cooperation in the fields of biosafety, public health, and health resilience. The Foundation aims to serve as a Mediterranean hub for the development of shared and innovative strategies in response to global challenges related to conventional and non-conventional biological threats, climate change, and health emergencies. The Scientific Committee is composed of medical officers and biosafety experts in high biocontainment transport from the Italian Air Force, ensuring a highly qualified, interdisciplinary, and operationally secure approach. By bringing together academic expertise, institutions, and civil society, the Foundation seeks to build an integrated network for health security, based on knowledge, prevention, and prediction.”

Learn more and get involved here.

Scoville Peace Fellowship

“The fellowship ensures a pipeline of the brightest, most dedicated, and diverse next-generation experts into leading think tanks and advocacy groups in order to inspire creative new approaches to the pervasive challenges to peace and security. Its goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world by providing an entree for mission-driven grads eager to learn about and contribute to public-interest organizations. The fellowship was established to honor longtime nuclear arms control activist Dr. Herbert (Pete) Scoville, Jr., a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and dedicated public servant, who encouraged young people to become involved in arms control and national security.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 20 here.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Addressing Agricultural Biorisk Evidence Base Gaps with Applied Research

“There is a global recognition that the current evidence base to inform laboratory and on-farm biological risk management has gaps, and that applied agricultural biosafety and biosecurity policies are not always based on evidence. This notice of funding will support the design and implementation of applied agricultural 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 Workshop or similar gap analysis like the WOAH working group agent specific biorisk gap analysis. 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 key focus areas and at least one component under that area.”

Learn more and submit your proposal by October 31 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.

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.

AIxBio Research Fellowship

From ERA: “ERA, in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, is now accepting applications for our AIxBio Fellowship – an eight-week, fully-funded research programme focused on addressing biosecurity risks amplified by advances in frontier AI. Running from 25th January to 22nd March, 2026 in Cambridge, UK, this fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to design and execute concrete research projects at the AIxBiosecurity interface.”

Learn more and submit your application by November 5 here.

Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health

From Harvard’s Global Health Institute: “To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals in low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Candidates should be currently based/working in a LMIC, and plan to return there after their fellowship.

The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy.”

Learn more and submit your application by November 30 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.

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