2026 ABSA International Election

We’re pleased to announce that voting is now open for ABSA International’s upcoming leadership elections. This is your opportunity to help shape the future direction of our association.

Voting closes August 31, 2026.

Your vote matters. The leaders elected this cycle will guide ABSA’s priorities, programs, and advocacy on behalf of the entire biosafety and biosecurity community. Strong participation ensures our leadership truly reflects the voice and values of our membership.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to make your voice heard. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about the voting process.

2026 ABSA International Nominating Committee

President-Elect Candidates

Antony Schwartz, PhD, CBSP(ABSA)

Antony Schwartz serves as the Director of Biological Safety at Duke University, where he is also the Biosafety Officer, Responsible Official for the Select Agent Program, and Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research.

For more than 15 years, ABSA has been Antony’s professional home. He has served as Chair of the Preconference Course Committee, Councilor from 2021 to 2023, Co-Chair of the Biosecurity Symposium Steering Committee, and a founding leader of the BRM Connect coaching program. Antony continues to give back through service, publications, conference presentations, and international engagements.

Antony’s career in science began early, through research opportunities as a high school student and later as an undergraduate at Jackson State University. After completing his PhD in microbiology at the University of Southern Mississippi, Antony sought a career that would keep him close to high-impact science while allowing him to make a practical difference within the research community.

Biosafety became that field for him. He was selected for the highly competitive National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program (NBBTP) at NIH, where he trained across the scientific, regulatory, engineering, and operational dimensions of biorisk management. His later work as a biosafety specialist and BSL-4 trainer deepened his appreciation for high-containment programs and drew him to the Responsible Official role at NIH. That experience shaped his commitment to balanced oversight that helps science move forward safely.

For nearly nine years at Duke, he has worked with a wonderful team to provide oversight across research, clinical, and high-containment operations, including clinical and diagnostic laboratories, autopsy suites, phytotrons, arthropod labs, and the Duke Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, an A/BSL-3 facility. Together, they support the safety of more than 47,000 employees and a research enterprise with over a billion dollars in annual funding.

Goals and Objectives:

I am deeply honored to be considered for President-Elect. ABSA’s strength has never rested in one person or one title. It comes from members who give their time, expertise, and commitment to support safe and responsible science. If I am elected, my goal will be to build on that foundation and provide steady, practical leadership during a period of uncertainty for our profession.

Members are navigating shifting regulatory expectations, emerging technologies, evolving biosecurity concerns, and growing demands on our time with limited resources. ABSA must be the place where members are heard, concerns lead to action, and volunteer service is matched with meaningful year-round value.

I would work to make ABSA the place members turn to for clear guidance, professional connection, and leadership on issues shaping biosafety and biosecurity. That means supporting mentoring, competency-based advancement, and resources that serve members across career stages. It also means strengthening collaboration with affiliates, building professional standards for emerging issues such as AI, and engaging proactively in policy conversations where ABSA’s expertise can help shape the field.

As ABSA expands internationally, I would work to connect members in the United States and around the world in ways that strengthen the value of membership for everyone. As your President-Elect, I will work alongside you to move our association forward, help our profession meet the moment, and prepare ABSA International for what comes next.

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Joshua Turse, PhD, CBSP(ABSA)

Joshua E. Turse, PhD, CBSP(ABSA), serves as Director of Research Safety at Cornell University. He has served as Cornell’s Biosafety Officer and Responsible Official for the Federal Select Agent Program, with experience in biorisk management program development, IBC, IACUC, and IRB support, BSL-3/ABSL-3 operations, incident response, and biosafety training.

Josh has been active in ABSA and currently serves as Secretary (2025–2026). He previously served as Co-Team Lead for the Regulatory and Technical Affairs Team and earlier as co-chair of the Public Relations Committee. He mentors new biosafety professionals through ABSA and has worked with the NIH National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program to host interns.

Josh earned his PhD in Genetics from Texas A&M University and his BS in Biochemistry from Bates College. His publications and presentations focus on biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management.

Goals and Objectives:

I am honored to be nominated for President of ABSA International.

ABSA has been more than a professional association for me. It has been a community of friends, mentors, and colleagues who have shaped my career and my understanding of biosafety and biosecurity. My approach to this profession would not be the same without ABSA, and I am deeply grateful to those who have taught, challenged, encouraged, and supported me through this organization.

That community is a major reason I am willing to serve. ABSA is at an important moment. Emerging technologies, evolving approaches to dual-use oversight and research security, cyber-biosecurity, high-consequence research, and increased public scrutiny are reshaping our responsibilities, while biosafety and biosecurity continue to mature as a recognized profession, creating new expectations for technical competence, leadership, judgment, and institutional influence.

If elected President, I would focus on three connected priorities: strengthening international partnerships, advancing professional development throughout our members’ careers, and building ABSA’s long-term resilience and adaptability.

First, ABSA should continue expanding meaningful international partnerships. Biosafety and biosecurity risks cross borders, sectors, and disciplines. By connecting professionals across regions, ABSA can support shared learning and capacity building while reinforcing its role as a respected global voice for the profession.

Second, ABSA should advance the development of biosafety and biosecurity professionals throughout their careers. Members need strong technical education, mentoring, leadership development, biosecurity awareness, regulatory understanding, and practical tools for risk-based decision-making. ABSA should support the competencies, credentials, networks, and career pathways that help members grow from emerging practitioners into technical experts and institutional leaders, through accessible development that complements our conferences and courses year-round.

Third, ABSA should continue building the organizational and financial resilience needed to serve members long term. The association has navigated difficult years while continuing to provide education, professional connection, and leadership. We should protect those strengths while evaluating new approaches and adapting how programs are delivered, so ABSA can respond to emerging needs while providing meaningful value to members.

ABSA’s greatest strength is its people, and the knowledge, experience, and commitment they bring to our community. As President, I would work to support an association that is globally connected, resilient, and ready to help lead our profession forward.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me.

Secretary Candidates

Heather Blair, MS, RBP(ABSA), CBSP)(ABSA)

Heather Blair is currently the Biosafety Officer at University of Nebraska- Lincoln (UNL). She is an ABSA International Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP-2010), an ASM Certified Microbiologist (Specialist Microbiologist in Biosafety- 2013) and an ABSA International Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP- 2013). She received her B.S. degree in Zoology, minoring in Microbiology, in 2002 from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT. In 2007, she received her M.S. degree at Colorado State University (CSU) in Microbiology.

Heather’s job at UNL includes the administration and management of UNL’s EHS Biosafety Program; Responsible Official of UNL’s Select Agent Program; Managing the administrative duties associated with UNL’s IBC; provides leadership, supervision, mentoring and development of Biosafety team staff; provides interactive in person biosafety training [Mock BSL3 Lab; Biosafety Cabinet; training of designated trainers behind the BSL3 barrier and observation (mentorship)]; development and review of biosafety and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures including UNL’s Biosafety Guidelines; guidance and monitoring of shipments of BSL3 materials to and from UNL; BSL2 and BSL3 operations and engineering consultant for remodels and new buildings and decommissioning of old buildings; performing laboratory pre and post monitoring visits for A/BSL1-3, ACL1-2, Plant BSL1-2; assisting in the IBC and biosafety incident and near miss reporting; development and review of Biosafety, Security and Incident Response Plans as well as assisting in aspects regarding the Occupational Health Program.

Heather has and continues to serve in a number of committees and roles for ABSA International: ABSA Finance Committee Vice Chair (present), Exam Development Board member (2018- present), Vice Chair (2021-2023) and Chair (2026-present); ABSA Treasurer (2023-2025); ABSA Council member from 2018-2020, ABSA Nominating Committee member (2016-2017; 2021-2022), and Pre Conference Committee member (2016-present), Co-Chair (2017-2018) and Chair (2018-2020). Heather was also one of the founding members of the Front Range Biological Safety Association (FRaBSA) and has served FRaBSA as President -Elect, President, and Past President (2023-2026), Counselor at Large (2011-2016) and Secretary (2017-2019; July 2021-July 2023) as well on symposium sub committees and on the education committee.

Heather has also been privileged to associate with Sandia National Laboratory in regard to the “Biorisk Management Advisor Development and Mentorship Program” with the international Biorisk Management Advisors (BRMA) from the Middle East/ Northern Africa Region to develop a partnership for biosafety and biosecurity worldwide.

Candidate Statement:

I am running for the Secretary role so that I can continue supporting the initiatives and goals that benefit the association and its members. I’m committed to ensuring that executive and council decisions and activities are accurately documented and communicated efficiently. I hope to help strengthen communication, operations and the continued success of our association. I enjoy serving the ABSA membership and would feel honored to serve in the ABSA International Secretary role.

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David Pawlowski, PhD, RBP(ABSA)

Dave Pawlowski currently serves as a co-team lead for the Regulatory & Technical Affairs Team and has been a member of the TRLR committee and BSAT CEC for over a decade. He is the Biosafety Officer for the University at Buffalo, and holds other titles such as ARO, ICDUR and VA safety Liaison. Prior to becoming a BSO, Dave was a Principal Investigator in a Select Agent program and a Contract Scientist for the Defense Dept. These roles have given him a career path where regulatory statutes were a daily reminder of the interconnectedness between the stakeholders of the biological sciences enterprise. It is through this interconnected framework that WE can ALL help advance ABSA International.

Candidate Statement

I’m running for the Secretary of ABSA to give back to an organization and group of professionals that has welcomed me with open arms and because my past experiences can be leveraged to benefit the organization. My priorities would be to continue to advance ABSA’s missions through thoughtful and efficient engagement. For instance, ABSA’s adoption of OnBoard has significantly helped our Teams and Committee’s maximize precious volunteer hours while HowSpace’s unique engagement platform has helped focus discussions and our attention to our individual interests. By continuing to use these tools and building out other efficiencies, we can extend ABSA’s organizational reach and relevance.

Councilor Candidates

Randy A. Albrecht, PhD, RBP, CBSP

Randy Albrecht currently serves as the Director of Biosafety at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. His prior professional experience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, included 2016-2025 service as the Responsible Official for biological select agents and toxins and as the Director of a high-containment facility. He also served as the Senior Director of Biosafety from 2020 to 2025. With over 20 years of academic research focused on emerging infectious diseases, Dr. Albrecht is a biosafety professional with real-world research experience.
He is a dedicated expert in biosafety and biosecurity and long-time member of ABSA. He currently serves as the Vice-Lead of ABSA’s Regulatory and Technical Affairs Team and is active with the ABSA/OSHA Alliance Working Group and the BRM Connect Task Force. He actively shapes industry standards and policies through his co-authorship of articles on life sciences policy and the biosafety profession. His work on the Public and Scientific Affairs Committee of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) underscores his commitment to policy advocacy and improvement. His contributions to the Harvard-Yale Symposium series and the New England Biological Safety Association further highlights his dedication to the profession.

Candidate Statement:

I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a Councilor for ABSA International. My leadership, professional experience, and unwavering commitment to the profession make me an ideal candidate to guide the future of ABSA International and to represent the community of biosafety and biosecurity practitioners.

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Nick Chaplinski, MS, RBP(ABSA)

Nick Chaplinski is the Biosafety/Biosecurity Officer with USDA-ARS at the U.S. National Poultry Research Center in Athens, GA. Nick oversees the safety program for a diverse and dynamic research environment. Nick received his BS in Biology and MS in Environmental Health from East Carolina University. Nick’s career started as Associate Biosafety Officer at East Carolina University, followed by Associate Biosafety Officer at UNC-Chapel Hill. Nick’s publications include animal biosafety, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus outbreak in dairy cattle, and he was a contributor on the 6th edition of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. He has presented topics on biosafety/biosecurity and high containment research in North and South America, as well as development of preconference courses at ABSA conferences, USDA-ARS symposiums and ABSA affiliate conferences. Nick is a member of the SEBSA affiliate, where he previously served as Secretary. He has been a member of the ABSA TRLA Committee as well as the SPC. Nick has served as a co-chair for intra-governmental select agent committees and received his RBP through ABSA in 2015.

Candidate Statement:

I am interested in joining the ABSA Council and eager to play a role in ensuring that the interests of the association’s membership are heard and at the forefront of biosafety and biosecurity decision making. My experience in biosafety across a broad range of research in both academia and the government makes me an ideal candidate to represent the interests of the membership of ABSA.

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Jeff Potts, MPH, CBSP(ABSA)

Jeff Potts currently serves as the Biorisk Management Coordinator at the U.S. Geological Survey, where he oversees the Biorisk Management Program and USGS IBC activities. His previous role was as Chief of the Biorisk Management Branch at the NIH, where Jeff spent 19 years leading and supporting laboratory safety, emergency preparedness, and research operations. His professional interests focus on comprehensive biorisk management systems, the application of biorisk principles in field science activities, and integrating biosafety principles into organizational culture and operational planning.
Jeff has been an ABSA International member since 2006. During this time, he has served as Chair of the Awards Committee, participated in the Scientific Program Committee (SPC), and presented at past conferences. In addition to his involvement with ABSA, Jeff co-authored the 6th edition of the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), served on numerous interagency committees, and contributed to collaborations with partner agencies and regional biosafety networks.

Candidate Statement:

I am committed to supporting ABSA’s mission and would be honored to contribute as a Councilor. My goal is to help advance the profession, strengthen community participation during the annual scientific program, and support the development of practical resources that benefit professionals at all career stages. The next couple of years will undoubtedly bring challenges for everyone. I believe that a collaborative mindset, strong operational experience, and a commitment to serve the members will enable me to demonstrate the outstanding role that our members play in protecting scientists worldwide.

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AJ Troiano, PhD, RBP(ABSA)

AJ Troiano is the Global Director of Quality Risk Management, Biosafety, and Toxicology at FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, a CDMO for biologically derived therapeutics with sites in Asia, Europe, and the United States (~5,000 employees). As part of the global quality leadership team, he oversees patient, worker, and environmental safety across GMP operations. His philosophy is servant leadership—being a “safety diplomat”—and he drives cross-functional collaboration among scientific, operational, quality, and safety teams while empowering grassroots initiatives.

AJ has consulted across BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 programs, including select agent oversight, spanning life sciences, biotech, academia, and public health. He holds a BS in Microbiology, a PhD in Molecular Biology & Biophysics, and an MS in Clinical Toxicology, and has been a Registered Biosafety Professional since 2018.
Within ABSA, AJ served as co-chair of the Scientific Program Committee (2017–2021) and chair (2021–2025), leading annual conference planning through the pandemic and transitioning into the hybrid format. He is active with regional ABSA affiliates (NEBSA, SBA); the Eagleson Institute; the Harvard–Yale IBC Symposium; toxicology organizations (OTR, PCC); and quality/GMP groups (ISPE, PDA).

Candidate Statement:

The greatest strength of ABSA International is its diverse, global community, and I am honored to seek election as Councilor to serve that community and advance biosafety worldwide. My goals are to promote evidence-based practice, strengthen international member engagement, and expand professional development for practitioners at all career stages. If elected, I will prioritize pragmatic risk-management guidance, inclusivity, transparency, and partnerships to extend ABSA’s global impact.

Nominating Committee Candidates

Richard G. Baumann, Ph.D., SM(NRCM)

Rick Baumann has been the Biosafety Officer (BSO) serving the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda Maryland campus of over 27 Institutes and Centers for nearly two decades. Since 2007, he has been the Executive Secretary for the Bethesda Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and a longstanding Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the NIH Select Agent Program. He has advanced degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, and past federal, academic and industrial research experience. He has been a longstanding member of ABSA serving both as an instructor, and an active member of the Preconference Course Committee (PCC), among other roles. He holds the Certified Safety Professional credential (SM[NRCM], 2014) and is a proud Steering Committee member and contributing author of two chapters for Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL, 6th Edition). Dr. Baumann has demonstrated longstanding experience in biosafety education, mentoring, and professional service at NIH and ABSA International.

Candidate Statement:

In serving the Nominating Committee, I will help ABSA and its outreach activities retain high professional standards. My experiences and connections to community will be a benefit to ABSA international and help navigate the inevitable changes the future will bring.

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Rachel Gamble, DrPH, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Rachel Gamble is the Director of Science & Technology at Pond & Company. Her career spans research, academia, and consulting, including leadership and faculty appointments at Baylor College of Medicine and UTHealth. She serves on the ABSA Council and has volunteered as a course instructor, Applied Biosafety Editorial Board member, Credentialing Evaluation Board member, Scientific Planning Committee member, founding member and Past President of SBA, and co-chair of the FRaBSA Outreach Committee. Throughout her career, Dr. Gamble has been committed to building collaborative teams, fostering partnerships, and advancing the biosafety profession.

Candidate Statement:

It would be an honor to serve on the Nominating Committee. My service within ABSA has allowed me to work alongside exceptional professionals and given me a deep appreciation for the expertise and diversity of our membership. If elected, I will help identify and encourage qualified leaders whose experience, perspectives, and commitment will strengthen ABSA and support its continued success. I am committed to a thoughtful, transparent nomination process that builds the next generation of association leadership.

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Cara Leitch, MPH, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Cara Leitch earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown, PA and an MPH from American Public University. She currently serves as a Biosafety Manager with the Department of Defense Biological Select Agent and Toxins Biorisk Program Office in an oversight role.

Cara previously served as the Biosafety Officer and Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) at George Mason University where she helped establish the Select Agent Program for the regional biocontainment laboratory for which she received a Merit Award. She was also a biosafety specialist and ARO for SAIC-Frederick at the National Cancer Institute Frederick, MD.

Ms. Leitch is a Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) and Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) through ABSA and received a Hashimoto Service Award in 2025. She has been an active member of ABSA since 2005, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Exam Development Board and on the Tools and Resources and Finance Committees.

Candidate Statement:

I would be honored to help identify future ABSA leaders for the Nominating Committee.

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Eric Lewis, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Eric Lewis is an Associate Director of Global Safety and Environment at Merck, where he leads programs in biosafety, industrial hygiene, and radiation safety. He brings over 17 years of experience in the biomedical research industry, beginning his career as a scientist before transitioning into an Environmental Health and Safety career. Prior to joining Merck, Eric completed the National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program at the National Institutes of Health and served as a Biosafety Specialist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His experience spans biosafety, risk management, regulatory compliance, and the development of programs that support safe and innovative research environments.

Eric holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and is actively engaged with ABSA International, currently serving as Chair of the ABSA International Distance Learning Committee through the end of 2026 and as a member of the ABSA International Scientific Program Committee. He is passionate about developing and delivering high-quality educational and scientific content that advances the biosafety profession.

Candidate Statement:

I am honored to be nominated for the ABSA International Nominating Committee, and I am committed to bringing integrity, thoughtful consideration, and dedication to service in helping identify leaders who will continue to advance the mission of ABSA International.

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Michael McCarthy, RBP(ABSA)

Mike McCarthy started his biosafety career at The Broad Institute and currently fills the role of Biological Safety Officer for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, located in Boston, MA. He is the chair for the Vertex Institutional Biosafety Committee and is a voting member of the IACUC. Mike is also active in other biosafety groups including being a co-chair of the Scientific Program Committee for ABSA, an active member of the Pharmaceutical Biosafety Group, and currently serves as President of the New England Biosafety Association. Mike has presented biosafety talks at multiple organizations including Hanson-Wade EHS conference, Pharmaceutical Biosafety User Group Annual Meeting, and NEBSA annual conference.

Candidate Statement:

I wish to support the nominating committee as someone who is enthusiastic and passionate about biosafety and hopes to promote the industry’s best to support ABSA.

Cláudio Mafra, DVM, MSc, PhD

Cláudio Mafra is an international biosafety and biosecurity professional with more than 30 years of experience working across academia, government, and high-containment laboratory environments. He is a retired Full Professor from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Brazil, and currently serves as President of the Brazilian Society for Biosafety and Biosecurity (SB3), Chair of the Professional Certification Board of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA), Global Mentor in Biosafety and Biosecurity, and member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Biosafety (TAG-B).
As a long-standing ABSA International member, Dr. Mafra has supported professional development, mentoring, certification, and capacity-building initiatives across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe

Dr. Mafra holds a DVM, MSc, and PhD, completed three postdoctoral appointments at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), and is a Certified ISO 35001 Lead Auditor.

Candidate Statement:

I am interested in serving on the ABSA Nominating Committee because I believe ABSA’s continued success depends on identifying, developing, and engaging diverse leaders who reflect the global evolution of the biosafety and biosecurity profession. I hope to contribute an international perspective, extensive mentoring experience, and a strong commitment to professional development and organizational growth.

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Shamsul Arfin Qasmi, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Shamsul Qasmi currently serves as Assistant Director, EH&S-Biosafety Program, Institutional Biosafety Officer, and Alternate Responsible Official. He is a CBSP and RBP and holds six IFBA certifications, including Applied Dual Use of Biosecurity (University of Bradford, UK) and 52 Weeks of Biosafety (ASM USA). Shamsul has extensive experience in biosafety, biosecurity, regulatory compliance, training, and oversight of high-containment laboratories. He has led national and international initiatives, published extensively on biosafety and biosecurity in reputable journals, manuals, and books, and currently serves as Vice Chair of ABSA’s International Engagement Committee and as a member of the E-Communication Committee.
Shamsul brings an international perspective, leadership experience, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to advancing ABSA’s mission through transparent, effective governance.

Candidate Statement:

My aspiration to serve ABSA International began in 2008, when I began promoting biosafety and biosecurity. Since then, I have admired ABSA’s global leadership and sought opportunities to contribute more meaningfully to its mission. Serving on the Nominating Committee would enable me to support ABSA by identifying qualified, diverse, and dedicated leaders who will strengthen the association and uphold its values of fairness, integrity, and excellence.

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Kenneth Shenge, PhD, RBP(ABSA), CBSP(ABSA)

Kenneth Shenge is the Senior Biosafety Officer for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, where he built a fourteen-location biorisk management program on ISO 35001 principles.

His professional interests span agricultural biorisk, consequence-based risk assessment, and biosafety training and competency development. He previously served as Safety and Occupational Health Manager at NIH, Deputy Biosecurity Manager at USAMRIID, an NBBTP postdoctoral fellow. He holds a PhD in Plant Pathology, an MPH, ABSA International’s CBSP and RBP credentials, and MRSB with the Royal Society of Biology. He has authored more than twenty peer-reviewed publications. An ABSA member, Ken co-chairs the Emerging Infectious Diseases Committee.

Candidate Statement:

I am seeking election to the Nominating Committee because my background sits at the intersection of agriculture, public health, and international trade, giving me a broad view across the full spectrum of biorisk management. That vantage, spanning plant and agricultural biosafety, public health, and the international dimension, positions me to help identify leaders who reflect ABSA’s full breadth.