Webinar

This webinar will provide comprehensive training on field biosafety, designed specifically for biosafety professionals, researchers, veterinarians, and field personnel involved in wildlife disease research. The course is structured to offer practical guidance on assessing biosafety risks in diverse field settings and effectively implementing the Field Biosafety Levels (FBSLs)—a structured framework for zoonotic disease protection. Participants will learn to critically evaluate risks, determine appropriate biosafety levels, and apply best practices in real-world scenarios. Over the two sessions, participants will be introduced to key principles of field biosafety and detailed considerations for advising researchers on potential risks. Participants will also explore the practical application of Field Biosafety Levels (FBSLs) as a proposed standardized approach to managing zoonotic risks in diverse field environments. In the final session, participants will be given a brief recap, followed by an interactive implementation practice exercise. Real-world examples, including visual aids illustrating proper and improper biosafety practices, will be reviewed. Participants will engage in active discussions, analyzing images to identify potential biosafety hazards and propose solutions. The webinar concludes with an open Q&A session.

Laboratories & 1st Responders: Coordination, Planning, & Emergency Response webinar will provide researchers, administrators, and safety professionals working in laboratory facilities with recommendations and best practices on how to establish beneficial working relationships with regional emergency response agencies. This webinar will provide an overview of emergency management functions, strategies for engaging 1st responders, recommendations on how to prepare research facilities for emergencies, and breakout sessions and case studies to discuss how to build relationships, support 1st responders, develop response procedures, and conduct exercise planning. Ample time will be provided throughout the webinar to discuss participant experiences and concerns.

The clinical setting poses a different environment than research laboratories. This course provides foundations for applying biosafety concepts in the clinical setting. Course topics include common issues and lessons learned pertaining to clinical facilities including pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, infusion areas, ORs, and waste disposal facilities; PPE, disinfection, risk assessments, and safety practices in the clinical setting; speaking biosafety to doctors, nursing staff, pharmacy staff, infection prevention and control, diagnostic microbiology lab personnel, and hospital EHS staff; applying NIH Guidelines and the BMBL to the clinical setting; gaps in oversight of research safety for clinical trials, and risk assessments for unconventional or highly specialized delivery mechanisms for biologics. The course will conclude with a focus on clinical trials including the role of an IRB and how it can overlap with an IBC; the process for investigational products to obtain FDA approval to be deemed as safe and effective therapeutics; and the evolving regulatory environment in the U.S. for biologics such as vaccines, regenerative medicines, and gene therapy. The course is designed to be highly interactive with discussions, surveys, and group exercises.