Guest Panelists

Guest Panelists 2024

Session 4 - Japanese Encephalitis

	Raluca Gatej My name is Raluca Gatej, I am a biochemist with background in molecular biology of viruses. I currently work at National Institute of Public Health, Romania, where I am involved in molecular and serological testing of different pathogens that are used for epidemiological surveillance (West Nile Virus, Measles and Rubella Viruses, SARS-CoV2, Influenza viruses), also in sequencing the SARS-CoV2 and testing for implementation of WGS of bacterial genomes for AMR testing. I worked before in several private laboratories perfoming molecular testing for different human and microbial targets (2012-2021) and before that I worked in Cantacuzino Institute, in the Vector Borne Infections laboratory (2006-2012) where I was involved in molecular and serological testing of several pathogens arbo- and robo- viruses (West Nile Virus, Tick Borne Encephalitis virus, Crimeea Congo Fever Virus, Dengue Virus, Hantaviruses- with respect to Dobrava virus).
	Associate Professor Pham Quang Thai Associate Professor Pham Quang Thai is Vietnam's leading researcher and public health advocate, dedicated to advancing infectious disease control and promoting population health. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology from The Open University, UK, and a Master of International Health (Epidemiology) from Bergen University, Norway. His research expertise focuses on understanding and mitigating the impact of infectious diseases. At the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), Dr. Thai established and led the Data Management and Modeling group, pioneering mathematical models to predict outbreaks, evaluate interventions, and inform public health decision-making. His research spans various infectious diseases, including COVID-19, Japanese Encephalitis, Anthrax, and Influenza, resulting in 70s ISI/Scopus and 80s local publications. Beyond research, Dr. Thai champions open science practices and has developed valuable tools for public health practitioners, including the "Integrated Lab and Epi toolkit" and the "Atlas of Infectious Diseases in Vietnam." He is dedicated to training future public health professionals through his authorship of several textbooks on research methodology, biostatistics, infectious diseases and vaccination. Dr. Thai actively engages with policymakers, providing scientific evidence to inform public health policies and interventions. He also empowers individuals and communities through public health education and awareness campaigns, promoting preventive measures and addressing vaccine hesitancy. He has mentored numerous students, guiding their research and professional development. Dr. Thai's diverse contributions have demonstrably improved disease control, promoted health equity, and strengthened health systems in Vietnam, contributing to a healthier future for the nation and the global health community.

Session 3 - African Swine Fever

	Dr. Le Van Phan is currently Associate Professor and Lecturer for the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) in Hanoi, Vietnam. He is also Vice Head of the Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology at VNUA. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from VNUA in 1999 and his Master of Science degree from Chungbuk National University, South Korea, in 2006. After receiving his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Chung-Ang University in South Korea in 2009, Dr. Phan continued his postdoctoral studies at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) in South Korea, where he worked on major animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and Newcastle disease for three years. To date, Dr. Phan has authored/co-authored nearly 90 ISI/Scopus publications and holds a patent in the US. In February 2019, Dr. Phan and his team identified the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus as the causative agent of a disease outbreak in a pig farm in Hung Yen province. This was the first known ASF outbreak in Vietnam, and their findings were published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in July 2019. Dr. Phan and his colleagues have since published around 30 ISI/Scopus publications on ASF in Vietnam. His current research interests continue to focus on emerging and re-emerging diseases in animals, with the aim of developing new vaccines and improving diagnostic methods.
	Dr. Idoko Sunday Idoko Dr. Idoko had his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, MSc and PhD in Veterinary Pathology with specialty in diagnostic clinical pathology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is the Head, Department of Veterinary Pathology and Coordinator of the University of Abuja Central Laboratory Services Unit. His research interest is on vector-borne diseases (Babesia, Theileria, West Nile Virus) and viral haemorrhagic fevers (Lassa fever). Dr. Idoko was the first to characterize the genotypes of Theileria equi and the first to report Theileria haneyi infections in horses in Nigeria. His current research seeks to identify alternative reservoir hosts of Lassa virus and related arenaviruses in Nigeria using a metagenomics approach. He is the Chairman of the Institutional Biorisk Management Committee and the University of Abuja Biosafety Officer.
	Dr. Mwajim Bukar I am a Research Fellow and Head of Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Biotechnology Centre, University of Maiduguri. I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist with experience in Clinical Laboratory diagnostic skills including operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory equipment. I have obtained advanced pieces of training in various analytical techniques including Flame Photometry, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, and Chromatographic Techniques. My passion for research in Molecular Biology and Molecular Diagnostics lead me to extend my career to Biotechnology Centre at the University of Maiduguri. I currently carry out wide-ranging molecular and protein techniques with expertise in nucleic acid extractions, PCR, gel electrophoresis (agarose, PAGE and DGGE), RT-PCR and ELISA. My research front at Masters degree is the application of metagenomics approaches to study and characterize microbial communities. I have obtained a moderate skill in bioinformatics and sequence analysis. I provide skill and hands-on training to students in molecular techniques, and design research methodologies and the laboratory techniques required. I have pursued laboratory Biosafety programs in the last few years and have successfully completed several international projects which cover University-wide laboratory Biorisk assessment, Training of Laboratory Personnel in BRM and development of laboratory waste management guideline for the University of Maiduguri. I am IFBA Certified Biorisk Manager.

Session 2 - Rabies

	Chuchan Glenn, PhD I am Chuchan Glenn, Principal veterinary public health investigator with the Ministry of Livestock Adamawa Northeast Nigeria. I have served 13 years as a field veterinarian responsible for disease surveillance and reporting, data development and analysis, disease awareness, and vaccination. A biosafety ambassador who is passionate about building a biosafety culture among health professionals. Acquired knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, project management, monitoring, and evaluation from the University of Washington. I have received an Award of Excellence from FAO (USAID) as a certified veterinary field epidemiologist. Trained about 90 participants on biosafety, (including trainees from Cameroon) for border biosafety as a co-sponsor. A benefactor of a grant from Health science partners and Georgetown University under the Elizabeth Griffin program (USA) and trained 55 laboratory staff and top management on institutional biosafety inclusion. A member of the American Biosafety Association and ABSA task force committee and Nigerian Biosafety Association. Research paper on “antimicrobial resistance among veterinarians and para-veterinarians in northeast Nigeria” (on review), “Prevalence of helminthic infection among wild animals in Yankari” (Bulletin of Animal Health and production in Africa Vol.60 issue 1 page 44-55, “Assessment of biosafety, and training on biosafety and waste management disposal among laboratory staff in some selected laboratory Northeast Nigeria (under review). I have attended several biosafety conferences, in Nigeria, Uganda, and ABSA (virtually).
	Gloria O.U Michael Assistant Director-Medical Laboratory Services. BSc (Microbiology), MSc (Medical Microbiology), PhD (in view) Gloria is an IFBA certified Professional on Biorisk Management. She holds an MSc in Medical Microbiology. She is the first female Assistant Director in Medical Laboratory Services in Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. She is the Quality Assurance Officer of Department of Medical Microbiology/Immunology and holds the position of the Coordinator of Bacteriology Unit. As an active member of NiBSA, and she was elected as the Northeast Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Biological Safety Association in Nigeria. She has organized several trainings on Biorisk Management awareness and Quality Management systems in Gombe State. She has attended and presented papers in Conferences she has attended. She has over 12 years working experience. She has participated as an examiner in the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) for foreign graduates into the profession. She has lectured Nursing students on Preoperative Nursing program in the College. She has published 6 articles in renowned journals. As part of her achievements, she has been awarded Bronze and Silver certificates in the Trainers Registry and Certification by Sandia National Laboratory, USA. She is a recipient of the Health Security Partners, USA challenge grant award. She is presently undergoing her PhD in Medical Microbiology in Gombe State University.
	Associate Professor Dr. Mai Thi Ngan, DVM Dr. Mai Thi Ngan is currently working as a lecturer at the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA). She got her DVM and MS degrees from VNUA, Hanoi, Vietnam in 2006 and 2009. In addition, she was training at Washington State University, America in 2013 about Food safety. In 2019, she got the Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers. Then she earned her Ph.D course in 2020 at Miyazaki University, Miyazaki, Japan. Her major research interests are Veterinary Epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging diseases; zoonosis, and transboundary animal diseases. She had experience with Salmonellosis, Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea, and African Swine Fever, Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Enzootic bovine leukosis, Highly pathogenic avian influenza... In addition, she has experience in applying biotechnology to develop the loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for early detection of animal diseases.

Session 1 - Streptococcus Suis

	Associate Professor Dr. DO TIEN DUY, DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Veterinary Pathobiology, PhD of Veterinary Pathology Associate Professor Senior lecturer Department of Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City. Research on veterinary infectious diseases and emerging diseases in pigs; Advanced solutions in disease prevention and vaccines. He got Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Nonglam University, Vietnam. 2009 – 2011, he got the scholarship “The Graduate Scholarship Program for Faculty Member for Neighboring Countries” for giving an opportunity to complete MSc study at Veterinary Pathobiology program, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. 2012 to half part of 2013, he got “Research Fellowship” to work as PhD candidate/Research Assistant at Virology Unit of Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (Centre for Tropical Medicine, Oxford University, UK). He also got an “Australian Leadership Award Scholarship (ALAS” for short-term Academic Visiting at School of Veterinary Sciences, Queensland University, Australia. 2013 - 2015, he was awarded “The Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students GSFS” from Seoul National University to further conduct PhD program at the Veterinary Pathology Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. From 2007 to current, he has been a lecturer and researcher (DVM, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor) at Department of Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Nonglam University-HCMC. He has participated in many scientific research related to the field of pathobiology of veterinary infectious diseases particular in pigs. He has published more than 120 articles included 40 international scientific articles, over 30 oral/poster reports in the scientific conferences/congress and over 50 scientific articles in national journals.
	Associate Professor Anusak Kerdsin, PhD Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand Dr. Kerdsin worked at the National Institute of Health in the Ministry of Public Health for 15 years. He specializes in Streptococcus Suis specifically in human cases. Dr. Kerdsin's expertise is on molecular medical microbiology and molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens. His research field studies Streptococcus suis and other streptococci, antimicrobial resistant bacteria, bacterial zoonosis, and bacterial pathogens causing respiratory, systemic, and central nervous system diseases.

Guest Panelists 2022/2023

	Dr. Enjy Ebrahim Khedr MBBCh, M.S Dr. Enjy Khedr currently serves as an assistant lecturer of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt. She is currently finishing her Ph.D. degree in Public Health. Her background is in preventive medicine and infectious disease. She had over seven years of experience working in epidemiology and infection control. Being a member of her faculty teaching staff, she also had teaching experience for undergraduate medical students. She had an extensive interest in research. As an epidemiologist, Dr. Enjy conducted many studies related to epidemiology as well as Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies on COVID-19. Her research focuses on infectious diseases included COVID-19 and Monkeypox. She had attended many conferences in many countries worldwide.
	Professor Dr.Nahla Mohammed Saeed Lecturer, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Sualimania, Iraq Micro Vet Diagnostic Lab Dr. Nahla is currently working as a lecturer at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sualimania, in Iraq. She is also a proud owner of a private veterinary clinic. Dr. Nahla grew up in Iraq, which caused her to develop a deep passion for animals and their well-being from a young age. This passion led her to pursue higher education in veterinary medicine and obtain her degree from a reputable institution in Iraq. She then furthered her academic journey by completing a specialization in veterinary medicine/microbiology, which has allowed her to acquire in-depth knowledge and expertise in this field. For the past 26 years, Dr. Nahla has been fortunate enough to serve as a lecturer at the College of Veterinary Medicine, where she has had the opportunity to impart my knowledge and experiences to aspiring veterinarians. She finds immense satisfaction in mentoring and guiding the next generation of veterinary professionals and is committed to nurturing their skills and helping them achieve their full potential. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she has also established and currently operate a private veterinary clinic. This endeavor has provided her with hands-on experience in diagnosing, treating, and caring for various animals. Running my clinic has allowed her to gain practical insights into the challenges and rewards of veterinary practice, enabling her to understand better the needs of both pet owners and their beloved companions. Throughout Dr. Nahla’s career, she has remained dedicated to staying updated with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. She regularly attends conferences, workshops, and seminars, which has enhanced her skills and expanded her professional network. She firmly believes in the importance of continuous learning and growth to provide the best possible care to animals and to make a positive impact in her community.
	Dr. Bill Arndt Dr. Bill Arndt Biosafety Officer, Senior Research Compliance and Safety at Georgia State University. Former Lead in the International Program Lead in the Quality and Safety Systems Branch, Division of Laboratory Systems, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bill earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology, with a specialty in Virology, from Arizona State University. He has over 12 years of experience working in public and animal health diagnostic laboratories, research laboratories, and high containment laboratories. He has worked in over 25 countries, located in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East and North Africa, supporting the implementation of biorisk management best practices. He has extensive experience in biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory design projects and serves as a subject matter expert in the areas of biosecurity, biosafety, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory design. He currently leads initiatives to improve biorisk management practices and support the implementation of biosecurity legislation in Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, and the African Union.

	Dr. David Haake MD, FACP, FIDSA Dr. Haake currently serves at Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and is a Staff Infectious Diseases Specialist at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. He is also a member of UCLA’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. He began full-time research training in 1987 as an Infectious Diseases Fellow at UCLA and have been on the faculty at the VA and UCLA since 1991. He has published approximately >120 papers describing original findings involving bacterial pathogens. He has served as a standing member of the NIH Host Interactions with Bacterial Pathogens Study Section. He has a thirty-year track record of serving as practicing infectious diseases specialist at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System while maintaining continuous funding for basic research in his laboratory on pathogenic Leptospira species. He served as Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes and is a past President of the International Leptospirosis Society. Beginning this year, he is serving as P.I. on a five-year NIH Program Project investigating host-pathogen interactions in leptospirosis. He is an expert in rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases and was P.I. of a highly successful multidisciplinary five-year U01 project to develop sensor technology for rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. He serves as Chief Medical Officer for Qvella Corporation, a biotechnology company working on innovative solutions for sepsis diagnosis.
	Professor Dr.Nahla Mohammed Saeed Lecturer, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Sualimania, Iraq Micro Vet Diagnostic Lab Dr. Nahla is currently working as a lecturer at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sualimania, in Iraq. She is also a proud owner of a private veterinary clinic. Dr. Nahla grew up in Iraq, which caused her to develop a deep passion for animals and their well-being from a young age. This passion led her to pursue higher education in veterinary medicine and obtain her degree from a reputable institution in Iraq. She then furthered her academic journey by completing a specialization in veterinary medicine/microbiology, which has allowed her to acquire in-depth knowledge and expertise in this field. For the past 26 years, Dr. Nahla has been fortunate enough to serve as a lecturer at the College of Veterinary Medicine, where she has had the opportunity to impart my knowledge and experiences to aspiring veterinarians. She finds immense satisfaction in mentoring and guiding the next generation of veterinary professionals and is committed to nurturing their skills and helping them achieve their full potential. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she has also established and currently operate a private veterinary clinic. This endeavor has provided her with hands-on experience in diagnosing, treating, and caring for various animals. Running my clinic has allowed her to gain practical insights into the challenges and rewards of veterinary practice, enabling her to understand better the needs of both pet owners and their beloved companions. Throughout Dr. Nahla’s career, she has remained dedicated to staying updated with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. She regularly attends conferences, workshops, and seminars, which has enhanced her skills and expanded her professional network. She firmly believes in the importance of continuous learning and growth to provide the best possible care to animals and to make a positive impact in her community.
	Assoc. Prof. HA Thi Thu HOANG, MD. PhD Department of Bacteriology National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Dr. Ha T.T. Hoang qualified from Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam in 1992 and obtained PhD degree in Microbiology/Immunology (2001 – 2006) from Karolinska Institute, Sweden. She joined the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), Hanoi, Vietnam in 1997 and involved in many research projects on infectious diseases, especially on bacterial zoonotic diseases. Currently, she is senior researcher in the international cooperation project between the University of Florida Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab (SEER Lab) from the University of Florida, NIHE and Department of Animal Health named “Estimating and modeling anthrax risk and brucellosis prevalence in Northern Vietnam’. This project will leverage research preparedness work previously conducted with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and the Department of Animal Health (DAH) efforts to better understand the anthrax and brucellosis burden to improve or establish surveillance networks and further determine the extent of control required not only anthrax/brucellosis but also other zoonosis diseases. Dr. Ha is also a lecturer at the Vietnam Military Medical University and Training and Research Center, NIHE.

	Dr. Jason K. Blackburn Dr. Jason K. Blackburn is a Professor of Medical Geography in Global Health and the founder/director of the Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory (SEER Lab) jointly housed in the Department of Geography and the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida. Dr. Blackburn has been studying health and disease at the wildlife/human/livestock interface for over 23 years. He was worked in marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide with active projects in Vietnam, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Colombia, and the US. Dr. Blackburn has been studying anthrax in wildlife, livestock, and humans for 20 years and has studied the disease and been involved in outbreak response worldwide. As a medical geographer and microbiologist, Dr. Blackburn has studied Bacillus anthracis and anthrax-causing Bacillus cereus species in the BSL-3 laboratory and the field. SEER Lab can work from outbreak case to whole genome sequencing and has developed several PCR assays for diagnostics. Using a book ends approach from the perspectives of the pathogen (as a cell) and the landscape, SEER Lab is focused on the spatio-temporal distribution of anthrax outbreaks and the variation in timing, intensity, and extent of epizootics related to climatic conditions. Dr. Blackburn has worked on anthrax in Vietnam since 2017. He is classically trained in Physical and Medical Geography and Pathobiology with a PhD from Louisiana State University. SEER Lab supports a diverse and interdisciplinary group of faculty, research staff, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students with expertise in BSL-2/BSL-3 pathogen characterization and sequencing and spatial modeling and remote sensing.
	Dr Sati Ngulukun - DVM, MSc, PhD Position: Director Diagnostic Services, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria Area of Research and Diagnosis: Bacterial zoonoses, Antimicrobial resistance, Biosafety Experience: over 20 years
	Jenny Rossouw, PhD Dr. Jenny Rossouw is a Principal Medical Scientist at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa where she is the head of the Special Bacterial Pathogens Reference Laboratory (SBPRL) at the Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases (CEZPD). She is responsible for overseeing the laboratory diagnoses, surveillance activities, and research projects related to several high-consequence zoonotic bacterial diseases such as anthrax, plague, brucellosis, botulism, and melioidosis. Dr. Rossouw serves on several national and international committees and expert groups (e.g. Anthrax Advisory Group, Brucellosis Steering Committee, WHO IHR Roster of Experts: Pneumonic Plague). She is certified as a Biorisk Management Professional (BRM) by the International Federation for Biosafety and Biosecurity (IFBA) and is an Africa CDC Regional Subject Matter Expert in BRM. She also serves on the NICD Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee.
	Assoc. Prof. HA Thi Thu HOANG, MD. PhD Department of Bacteriology National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Dr. Ha T.T. Hoang qualified from Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam in 1992 and obtained PhD degree in Microbiology/Immunology (2001 – 2006) from Karolinska Institute, Sweden. She joined the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), Hanoi, Vietnam in 1997 and involved in many research projects on infectious diseases, especially on bacterial zoonotic diseases. Currently, she is senior researcher in the international cooperation project between the University of Florida Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab (SEER Lab) from the University of Florida, NIHE and Department of Animal Health named “Estimating and modeling anthrax risk and brucellosis prevalence in Northern Vietnam’. This project will leverage research preparedness work previously conducted with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and the Department of Animal Health (DAH) efforts to better understand the anthrax and brucellosis burden to improve or establish surveillance networks and further determine the extent of control required not only anthrax/brucellosis but also other zoonosis diseases. Dr. Ha is also a lecturer at the Vietnam Military Medical University and Training and Research Center, NIHE.

	Bradley R. Borlee, PhD. Dr. Borlee is an Associate Professor of Bacteriology. The Borlee laboratory uses a variety of approaches to understand the regulatory mechanisms and signaling cascades that control biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Genetic and molecular techniques coupled to computational approaches are used to understand host-pathogen interactions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia pseudomallei. This research is focused on identifying targets to develop countermeasures to prevent and treat infections. Additional research focuses on disrupting biofilm formation in a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens, which includes Mycobacterium spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and enteric bacteria to identify new treatment strategies to counteract antibiotic resistance. Dr. Borlee is a faculty member in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at Colorado State University. His laboratory is located at the Infectious Disease Research Center and is currently funded by DTRA, USDA, and the NSF. Dr. Borlee is the President of the Rocky Mountain Branch of the American Society of Microbiology and a leader of the BII Regional OneHealth Aerobiome Discovery Network (BROADN) sponsored by NSF.
	Dayang Najwa Binti Awg Baki MSc Dayang Najwa is an accomplished researcher with a strong background in the field of microbiology. She specializes in the study of foodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, microbial ecology, virulent genes, and antibiotic resistance. She graduated from the Universiti of Malaysia, Sarawak (UNIMAS) with a bachelor's degree in biotechnology and a master's degree in microbiology. Over her career, she has developed formidable skills in molecular biology and bioinformatics, spearheading numerous personal projects. Her academic journey allowed her to delve into the intricacies of various microbial species, including Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Cyanobacteria genus, and Fusarium species. With more than seven years of dedicated research, Dayang has achieved recognition through several published research papers in SCOPUS-indexed journals. Her commitment to the field of microbiology extends beyond research, as she has shared her knowledge through teaching experiences as a laboratory demonstrator in subjects such as biology (pre-university), microbiology, and enzymology. Additionally, Dayang Najwa is a prolific writer who has contributed articles on LinkedIn, seeking to pique public interest in her area of expertise. She also serves as an advocate for gene editing and precision medicine, demonstrating her passion for advancing the microbiological sciences and their impact on the broader community.
	Associate Professor Đỗ Duy Cường

	Dr. Marawan Adel Marawan M.V.Sc, PhD Dr. Marawan Adel Marawan currently serves as Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and is the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Benha University, Egypt. His background is in Veterinary medicine, and he received his Ph.D. in Molecular Studies on Bovine Leukemia Virus. His post-doctoral research was on “Key State Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology,” within Wuhan City, Hubei Province 430070, China. Additional research areas include the following: sequence data analysis; primer and probe sequence design; DNA and RNA extraction; protein extraction, purification and proteomics technique; spectrophotometry; enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) hematological analysis; hematological analysis; experimental design consultant (designing experimental research); virus isolation, titration and purification.

Guest Panelists 2021

	Assoc Prof. Dr. Kieu Chi Thanh Assoc Prof. Dr. Kieu Chi Thanh presently serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Nosocomial infection Department, Hospital 103, Viet Nam Military Medical University (VMMU). He achieved his Medical Doctor degree and Ph.D. in Microbiology at VMMU since 2000 and received his Assoc Prof degree on Microbiology awarded by the Ministry of Education in 2013. To date, Dr Thanh is one of the infection control experts of Viet Nam Ministry of Health and participated in 6 ministerial-level project topics related to infection control and biosecurity. He has authored/co-author many articles related to preparedness and infection control of infectious diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis, influenza and Ebola, etc. Dr. Thanh is a well-known lecturer in Vietnam in the field of biosafety and biosecurity. He is a lecturer and visiting lecturer for many training courses on infection control, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity in Viet Nam which offered to various audiences from laboratory staffs, military and students.
	Dr. Neeta Sinnappha A Scientist with 26 years of broad experience in molecular research (RNA, DNA and proteins) specifically in the areas of cancer biology, biochemistry, molecular phylogeography and cell signalling. Her areas of research: Integrative Biology and microRNA (connecting immunity, inflammation, insulin resistance, autophagy and various other cellular stress in cancer); Hyperpsectral Imaging on biological fluids and tissues (Bioimaging Informatics); Development of Prognostic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biomarkers; Clinical bioinformatics and integrated software development. She has working and research experience from six different countries (Malaysia, France, Spain, Canada, USA and India) and in prestigious institutions such as the National Research Council Laboratory (CNRS) in Perpignan (France) for her doctorate degree in Biology and at MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston (USA) as a research investigator. She was a recipient of a full scholarship from the French Government for her doctoral degree. Her gene sequencing work for her doctoral thesis generated 24 novel gene sequences from parasites which were submitted to the GenBank. In India, she is a Senior Scientist, and Heads Betty Cowan Research & Innovation Centre at Christian Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab. She planned and built a molecular research laboratory in 3 phases of grant funding in 2010. In March 2020, she was asked to assist and setup SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR testing at her institution in accordance to The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Her role was not only in supervision and training but also in daily qRT-PCR benchwork. After 16 months of testing samples during the pandemic, a lot has been learnt on the ground from safety protocols, proper sample collection and processing, data analyses and reporting. Everything in the above-mentioned chain of protocols underwent dynamic reassessment and slight adjustments as the local population experienced its highs and lows in infection rates.
	Ghaya Abdellatif Alwahdanee Ghaya Abdellatif Alwahdanee is currently the head of education, quality and biorisk management coordinator for the Ministry of Health – laboratory directorate /Central Public Health Laboratory. As a biorisk management coordinator she works on many topics located on the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and International health regulation (IHR). As the Biosafety officer designated by the World Health Organization, approved by the MOH and designated for the MENA region. She is a certified WHO trainer on all topics related to Biosafety and biosecurity (Biorisk management.).She was awarded with a “Preventing emerging and re-emerging infections” Mini Grant that allowed her and her colleagues the opportunity to develop National Biorisk Guidelines for the country of Jordan. Also involves in BRM activities in MENA region (International and Mena twining projects. Through the COVID pandemic she supported the laboratory capacity for COVID testing under strict obligations for quality management and biorisk management instructions.
	Raymond (Bob) Rowland, PhD Professor and **Head Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois** Research interests in the Rowland lab center on addressing fundamental problems in the detection and control of infectious diseases of livestock caused by emerging and foreign animal diseases, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine circovirus (PCV), porcine coronaviruses, and African swine fever virus (ASFV). Other interests include the study of how SARS-CoV-1 and -2 interact with host cells, along with the development of reagents for detection of infection in non-human species. For 15 years he was director of the national/international swine conference, the PRRS Symposium, an annual meeting on emerging viral diseases of swine. Since 2008, the Rowland lab has been actively involved in understanding the role of host genetics in response to virus infection, along with the application of genetic modification techniques for conferring disease resistance. A spinoff of the genetics work is the first discovery of pigs possessing a naturally occurring severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Rowland is actively involved in the training of undergraduate/graduate and DVM students. He has authored/coauthored more than 150 publications on animal health.

	Dr. Bill Arndt Dr. Bill Arndt Biosafety Officer, Senior Research Compliance and Safety at Georgia State University. Former Lead in the International Program Lead in the Quality and Safety Systems Branch, Division of Laboratory Systems, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bill earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology, with a specialty in Virology, from Arizona State University. He has over 12 years of experience working in public and animal health diagnostic laboratories, research laboratories, and high containment laboratories. He has worked in over 25 countries, located in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East and North Africa, supporting the implementation of biorisk management best practices. He has extensive experience in biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory design projects and serves as a subject matter expert in the areas of biosecurity, biosafety, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory design. He currently leads initiatives to improve biorisk management practices and support the implementation of biosecurity legislation in Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, and the African Union.
	Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera Michigan State University - High-Containment Lab / Pandemic Safety Manager Mr. Ochoa Carrera served as BSL-3 Lab Coordinator at the Institute for Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference from the Ministry of Health in Mexico. He has contributed for the development of a strong biological safety management system based on the development and implementation of the CWA 15793:2011 (for the biological risk assessment in laboratories), the CWA 16335 (for the biosafety professional competence), the ISO:9001:2015 (for the implementation of quality systems) and ISO:15189:2012 standards (for evaluation of the technical competence in laboratories). Mr. Ochoa also gained extensive experience in biosafety and biosecurity as part of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA International), the European Biological Safety Association (EBSA) and as one of the eighteen founding members of the Mexican Biosafety Association (AMEXBIO). MSc. Ochoa Carrera, possess advance training for the handling of high-risk pathogens in high-containment facilities from the CDC and the Public Health Agency of Canada. In the same way, he specializes in the design and planning of containment facilities as well as in the implementation of bioscience and emergency response programs.
	Dr. Adel B. Mohamed BVM, MSc in Mol. pathology and Toxicology Dr. Adel B. Mohamed is a university lecturer and researcher in the Departments of Basic Vet. Science in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science in the College of Pharmacy, and the Departments of forensic medicine in General Administration of Judicial Expertise and Research. Dr. Adel is the current coordinator of Biosafety and Biosecurity in the Libyan Universities since June 2019 and has experience as an instructor and trainer of Biosafety and Biosecurity program for health, science, and research institutions in the eastern region of Libya with focal points to integrate BRM into Libyan curriculum. Mohamed has not only attended several virtual training courses including: Virtual Training on COVID-19 Case Management in Africa, The Effective Use of Public Health Social Measures in Africa, and Special One Health COVID-19 Response ECHO Session For AFROHUN Members and Stakeholders, but he has also had experience as the Head of the office of conferences and international affairs, college of Vet. Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University and as the Head of the Department of Pathology.
	Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga presently serves as the Wildlife Health Specialist cum Policy Influencing Team Leader of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Program. She received her Doctor and Master of Veterinary Medicine from the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA). She has more than 10-year experience on doing surveillances for detecting zoonotic viruses with pandemic potential at points where humans have contact with wildlife – these are the high-risk interfaces of zoonotic disease transmission and the spillover of viruses from wildlife to people and their livestock. She was the co-author of the article about Coronavirus detected along wildlife supply chains for human consumption in Viet Nam, 2013-2014 published recently in PLoS ONE.

	Mr. Sok Samnang Mr. Sok Samnang has completed his Bachelor degree in Management Information System in 2003 and a Master Degree of Science Information Technology in 2011 before joining the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2007 as an IT officer at the Communicable Disease Control Department’s Surveillance Bureau. He was promoted as Vice-Chief of Surveillance Bureau in 2012 and has completed his Master of Biomedical and Health Informatics (MBHI) at Mahidol University in Thailand in 2015. After being further promoted as Deputy- Director of the Communicable Disease Control Department in 2013, he has also successfully completed a one-year course on Administrative Management for high-ranking Government Officials at the National School for Administration [Ecole Royale d’Administration or ERA]. Besides his in-country works in the CDC Department, he worked closely with other countries in the region through the Mekong Basin Disease Surveillance (MBDS) collaboration, namely China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as Cambodia has been assigned as the lead country in ICT as agreed by MBDS Board in 2007. With strong collaboration with the InSTEDD iLab Southeast Asia in Cambodia, one of his key contribution to the CDC Department is the development of the Hotline 115 that enables an equitable access to the public to critical health information on outbreak prone diseases in the Kingdom. The National Center for HIV/AIDS and STIs (NCHADS) has also used this hotline 115 in its program’s operation in Cambodia. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the national hotline 115 play a critical role in collecting all sources of Covid-19 reports and requests for related information from the public with a highest volume of calls reaching nearly 20,000 per day. Not only being the official source of information, the hotline 115 system is also a reliable technical support to the public trust on covid-19 information provided from the Ministry of Health as well as the facilitation of contact tracing of high number of Covid-19 cases using hotline 115 auto call.
	Prasert Makkaew, PhD. *Department of Environmental Health and Technology* School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thailand Dr Makkaew is currently a lecturer in Environmental Health at the School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. He received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, and a Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation from Mahidol University, Thailand, and a PhD in Environmental health from Flinders University, South Australia. His research focuses on environmental health microbiology, specifically in the areas of health-related water microbiology, and antimicrobial resistance in the environments. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been involved in research projects on COVID-19 control and prevention, for example, preparing the COVID-19 preventive measures in religious places with his colleagues at Walailak University, and detecting SARS-CoV-2 in sewage as an early warning system in Asian countries with his international colleagues.
	Dr. Pham Quang Thai Dr. Pham Quang Thai has been playing the role of Vice Head of Infectious Disease Control Dept., National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) since 2011. Over the past 21 years, he has experience of an expert on the EPI and infectious disease surveillance. Dr. Thai acquired Master of Philosophy at Norway, and his PhD at the United Kingdom. As one of duties in professional works, Dr Thai has also involved in some stages of vaccine development when managing immunization programs in Viet Nam. He also works with some international and local organizations and vaccine companies to run vaccine trials. Among 21 years working at Epidemiology Dept. of NIHE, Dr. Thai’s works relates to infectious disease surveillance and response. Furthermore, he also works as coordinator for several projects including Oxford-NIHE (Infectious Diseases Research Development Program). During the COVID-19 outbreak Dr. Thai joined the Rapid response information team, under National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. His task involved managing lab test result from all COVID-19 testing facilities and member of contact tracing team.

	Dr. Ashley Soosay Dr. Ashley Soosay obtained his DPhil in Molecular Oncology from University of Oxford, UK, M.Sc. in Medical Genetics from University of Toronto, Canada and B. Sc (Hons) in Microbiology and Computer Science from Universiti Science Malaysia, Penang. Ashley is also a fellow of Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) where he has undertaken study in Population Genetics at University of Tokyo, Japan. Ashley has more than 28 years of experience in Teaching & Learning at tertiary level and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). Currently he is an Associate Professor at Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences (FMHS), UNIMAS. Associate Professor Dr. Ashley Soosay has been the Phase I coordinator for medical programme at FMHS, for 8 years. He is currently the e-Learning Coordinator for the medical faculty and also the Head of Molecular and Medical Genetics Unit under the Paraclinical Department of FMHS at UNIMAS. He is the founding coordinator/creator for Student Centred Learning module for Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning at UNIMAS and currently Ashley is still engaged in training UNIMAS staff and other academics in this module. Dr. Ashley is an active member of Malaysian One Health University Network (MyOHUN) which is part of South East Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN). He is the advisor for UNIMAS ONE HEALTH CLUB. Through MyOHUN Dr Ashley and colleagues have produced “A problem-based-learning approach to One Health cases” book. In relation to COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ashley and colleagues at UNIMAS established the UNIMAS COVID-19 Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Ashley was involved in testing of COVID-19 from march 2020 till mid-2021. Dr. Ashley’s research interest includes Genomic Polymorphism, Genomic Imprinting in Cancer Biology, Antimicrobial Resistance especially in Klebsiella pneumoniae and ICT usage in Problem Based Learning in medical pedagogy. He has also presented many papers at local and international conferences and has won “Best Paper” awards.
	Dr. Alice Alma C. Bungay Dr. Alice Alma C. Bungay is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman and recently retired as an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, UP Manila. Dr Bungay obtained her Master of Veterinary Studies (Public Health) from Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand under the New Zealand Overseas Development Assistance-Postgraduate Scholarships (NZODA-PGS). She was conferred in 2015 as Fellow in Veterinary Public Health of the Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health (PCVPH and in 2019 as Diplomate of the PCLAM (Lab Animal Medicine. She was a representative of One Health Committee in UP Manila. Dr. Bungay was a recipient of several scholarships and fellowships which include: International Cancer Research Technology Transfer (ICRETT), Union Internationale Contre Le Cancer (UICC), Southeast Asian Medical Information Center –International Medical Foundation of Japan (SEAMIC-IMFJ, Japan Science Technology (JST), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), German Academic Exchange (DAAD) and Fulbright Scholarships where she was a 2006-07 Senior Fulbright Visiting Lecturer and Researcher at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, USA Academe and 2016 Senior Fulbright Advanced Research in Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, USA.. She had several international trainings which include the American Health Foundation (USA), Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) in Thailand, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health (Japan) and at the Robert Koch Institute (Berlin, Germany) and as Guest Scientist at the German Cancer Research Center (Heidelberg, Germany). She was awarded a travel grant to attend Charles River Short Course on Laboratory Animals in June 2019 at the Cape Rey Hilton Resort, Carlsbad, California, USA. She is a technical and peer reviewer of journal articles in Acta Medica Philippina, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease (APJTD), Philippine Journal of Science (STII-DOST) and research projects of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Agriculture Research and Development (PCAARD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD). She was invited as Guest Lecturer on Food Safety, Graduate School of Human Sciences, in Osaka University. She was a recipient of two (2) awards given by the Veterinary Practitioner’s Association of the Philippines (VPAP), as Most Outstanding Practitioner in Laboratory Animals and as Outstanding Practitioner in Research. Some of her studies were published in PLoS One, Genes, Genomes and Genetics (G3), Eukaryotic Cell (EC), American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and Annual Research and Review in Microbiology which are ISI-indexed and Scopus-indexed publications. She is a contributor/senior author in a section of a book on “Sarcocystis”, textbook Medical Parasitology in the Philippines. She is also registered and included in the list of Google Scholars and Research Gate. Three of her publications was awarded the International Publication Award (IPA) of the University of the Philippines. Dr. Bungay was the Key Opinion Leader (KOL) representing the Philippines sponsored by Bayer Animal Health, held in KL International Convention Center, Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, September 2017 and Keynote Speaker and Chair of the 1^st day Scientific Sessions, 2^nd Tropical Diseases Conference in Bali, Indonesia, Courtyard Marriot Hotel Seminyak, November 21-22, 2019. She was formerly a member of the Ethics Board and Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), National Institutes of Health, UP Manila (UP-NIH). She was awarded by the UP College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association (UPCVMAA) as the Outstanding Alumni in Education in October 2012. She is the recipient of Dr. Crispin Villanueva Professorial Chair in 2015-2016 given by the UP Medical Association of USA. She was also the Project Leader of Schisto ELISA Research to conclude near elimination of Schistosomiasis in some areas in the Philippines being funded by the Department of Health (DOH).She received the 2016 VPAP Outstanding Veterinarian in She was nominated in the Best Mentor in Health Research Award in the national Capital Region (NCR) Category in 2021. Dr. Bungay’s research interests include “emerging” foodborne pathogens, food safety and hazard analysis, antibiotic residues in meat samples, microbial zoonoses, One Health, laboratory animals/laboratory animal models, mycology, nutrition and microbiome and the role of probiotics in health and disease, among others.
	Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong is currently playing the role of a Secretary in charge for Vietnam National Rabies Control Program and Vietnam communicable diseases surveillance, prevention and control program. With more than 10 years of working at Vietnam National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), she has been playing the leading role in management, surveillance and training on rabies prevention and control at nation level. As an epidemiologist as well as advocacy practitioner for the National Rabies control program in Vietnam, Dr. Huong conducted a lot of studies related to epidemiology as well as Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies on human rabies across Vietnam. She attained her PhD degree with major in Public Health at NIHE since 2018 and participated in surveillance and control activities for emerging and communicable diseases in 28 provinces in the North of Vietnam (Avian Influenza, Encephalitis, Cholera, Dengue fever, Hand Food Mouth disease, rabies, etc). Dr. Huong’s research interest include rabies, emerging and remerging infectious diseases, One Health and she is among the key advocator for the progress towards rabies control and elimination in Vietnam.
	Dr. Sharon Deem Dr. Sharon Deem is the Director of the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine (ICM), for which she serves as the first Director since it launched in 2011. Celebrating 10 years of One Health research in 2021 (https://www.stlzoo.org/files/4916/3587/7511/ICM_10_Year_Report.pdf), the ICM takes a holistic approach to wildlife conservation, public health, and sustainable ecosystems to ensure healthy animals and healthy people. In addition to global One Health / Conservation Medicine research projects, Dr. Deem is training the next generation One Health practitioners. In 2018 and 2020, Dr. Deem delivered TEDx talks on One Health Deem_TEDx_2018. Deem_TEDx_2020 , and has taught a semester long One Health course at the Washington University in St. Louis since fall 2018. She has published extensively on conservation and health topics and her first textbook, “Introduction to One Health: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Planetary Health,” which she co-wrote with Drs. Kelly Lane-deGraaf and Elizabeth Rayhel, was published in January 2019. Introduction to One Health Book 2019. Before joining the Saint Louis Zoo, Dr. Deem worked for the Wildlife Conservation Society and Smithsonian National Zoo as both a clinical zoo veterinarian and a field wildlife veterinarian. During her first three years with the Saint Louis Zoo, Dr. Deem lived and worked in the Galapagos Islands, where she served as the veterinary epidemiologist for the Zoo’s WildCare Institute Center for Avian Health in the Galapagos. Dr. Deem holds a DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, a PhD in veterinary epidemiology from the University of Florida and is board-certified in the American College of Zoological Medicine in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

	Li-Yen Chang Li-Yen Chang is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of Nipah virus infection and transmission, including the binding and interactions of NiV proteins with host cell proteins, understanding the long-term immunological response upon Nipah infection, and also Nipah virus sero-surveillance. She is trained and has experience in safe handling of Nipah virus in heightened control laboratory that fulfils WHO Biosafety Manual 4th edition. She has been actively contributing to the national laboratory biosafety and biosecurity community for more than 10 years and she is one of the contributors for the Malaysia Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Policy and Guideline 2015 by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Li-Yen is a certified professional in biorisk management by the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA). She was the vice-president of the Malaysian Biosafety and Biosecurity Association, and was also a member of the Universiti Malaya Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee. Now, she is the Chairman of Universiti Malaya-Faculty of Medicine Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
	Gary Flory Gary Flory founded G.A. Flory Consulting, a global consulting firm, to help clients with a range of services including animal disease and natural disaster response, agricultural emergency planning, and emergency response training. Gary has conducted training, given presentations, and deployed on animal disease outbreaks to a number of countries including the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Tunisia, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Azerbaijan. He supports a variety of organizations including the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Gary currently serves on FAO’s African Swine Fever Global Pool of Expertise. In addition to numerous other articles, reports, and guidance documents, Gary was a lead author of FAO’s recently released, Carcass management guidelines – Effective disposal of animal carcasses and contaminated materials on small to medium-sized farms and USDA’s Catastrophic Livestock Composting Protocol and Mortality Composting Protocol for Avian Influenza Infected Flocks.
	Mr. Chuong Le Mr. Chuong Le is currently the biosafety officer at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, where he has been the institute's quality manager of the HIV and bacteria external quality assessment producer unit since 2016. Chuong earned a Master's in Public Health in the Netherlands. He has over 10 years of experience working in HIV diagnostic and research laboratories. He has been involved in (1) organising annual and ad hoc training on biorisk management for all laboratory staff at the institute; (2) monitoring and evaluating implementation of safety protocols and measures at all labs within the institute; (3) supporting the institute leadership in obtaining approval and accreditation for Biosafety Level 3 and Biosafety Level 2; (4) providing biorisk management training and mentoring to lower-tier laboratories in 20 southern provinces of Vietnam; and (5) providing technical assistance for the Vietnam Ministry of Health in developing national guidelines and training curriculums on biosafety and biosecurity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he not only assisted the institute leadership on COVID-19 infection control and prevention policies and guidelines, but also provided training for provincial laboratory staff on this topic.
	Dr. Richa Sood Dr. Richa Sood is Principal Scientist at ICAR- National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India. She is Assistant Biosafety Officer and Incharge of ABSL3 Animal Biocontainment facility of the institute. A veterinarian by profession, she earned her PhD in Veterinary Medicine from Indian Veterinary Research Institute. She has 22 year of experience in working in viral disease surveillance and molecular diagnosis of exotic and emerging diseases of livestock. She has worked in diagnostic development, identification of drug resistance in Avian Influenza against FDA approved drugs and alternative medicine. She is recipient of USDA Norman Borlaug Fellowship and has been co-contributor in development of various technologies including reverse genetics based avian influenza vaccine. Dr Richa is a certified professional in Biorisk Management and Care and Use of Biosafety Cabinet by International Federation of Biosafety Association (IFBA) and have also got certification from International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET CEU) Frontline health Care workers Foundation in Dual Use Research of Concern, and Biohazard Waste and Management. She is Currently Secretary of Society for Biosafety, India, and has conducted extensive capacity building and awareness programs on biosafety, biosecurity, biosafety cabinet usage and pathogen inventory management of high risk pathogens all over the country in collaboration of American Society for Microbiology and Frontline healthcare worker Safety Foundation. She is also an accomplished member of Institute biosafety Committee (IBSC) and Institute Animal Ethics Committee (IEAC) in various institutions in India.

	Noel Lee J. Miranda, DVM, MSc A regional expert in emerging pandemic threats, One Health (Ecosystem Health), Biothreats Among the first veterinary public health field responders, WHO, during the outbreaks of avian influenza in SEA, 2004 ASEAN disease outbreak and pandemic planning, 2006-2013 Currently supports COVID-19 pandemic response efforts as a member of expert peer groups Currently Regional Consultant on ASEAN Public Health Emergency Coordination System Development Formerly UN-FAO regional coordinator for COVID-19 ASEAN Regional Coordinator for Multi-sectoral Pandemic Preparedness and Response (USAID-PREPARE and ASEAN-TATF Projects from 2009-2013) / Consultant on whole-of-society pandemic preparedness planning (WHO, ASEAN, ADB, USAID and EU-EC, IFRC projects) ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project Technical Expert (2006-2008) World Veterinary Association- Strategic Focus Group on One Health, and One Health Education subgroup Regional Ebola/Emerging Pandemic Threats Preparedness Coordinator (ADB 2014)- Drafted document on Regional Ebola Virus Disease Threats Preparedness and Response Capacities Government of Yemen, formulation of GoY National Avian Influenza (AI) Action Plan, USAID Project Team leadership, International Medical Corps response to Yolanda Super Typhoon aftermath Member, Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering; Phil. National Research Council Fellow, Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health and Diplomate, Philippine College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Rabies/Zoonosis Expert- Philippine Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Health (1984-94) WHO reviewer- human rabies vaccine production systems in Asia, 2005 MSc (with distinction) Laboratory Animal Science, Royal Veterinary College, University of London Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Veterinary Board Examiner, 2004 Proponent, ensuring COVID-19 vaccine supply chain Certifications in Japanese institutions: Central Institute for Experimental Animals on transgenic techniques and in-vitro embryo manipulation, the Tsukuba Primate Research Center on non-human primate science, National Institute of Health (now NIID) on microbiology/virology and immunodiagnostics, and INA Research Japan on NHPs GLP toxicology and disease modeling Engaged as lecturer in the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine of CLSU (Pathology), DLSU (Animal Welfare), UP (Public Health-Biosecurity), the National Defense College of the Philippines (Bio-threats), and PhilOHUN
	Dr. Mohamed Elhadidy Dr. Mohamed Elhadidy is currently a professor of Biomedical Sciences at Zewail City of science and technology, Egypt. Dr. Elhadidy holds a DVM degree from Mansoura University in Egypt. He obtained his Master’s degree in 2006 in Microbiology from Mansoura University and obtained his PhD (2010) in Microbiology from Virginia Tech University, USA. From 2011-2017, Dr. Elhadidy served as a research scientist at School of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada; University of Bristol, UK; and University of Gent and Scientific Institute of Public health in Belgium. In 2018, he also served as a visiting professor at University of Bath, UK. Dr. Elhadidy research interests is focused on population genetics, and comparative genomic studies of bacterial pathogens and investigating the ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of zoonotic pathogens causing human infection using different comparative genome analysis and population genetics studies. His most recent research activities implemented different genomics tools to investigate the molecular characterization of different genetic markers that play a role in virulence potential, antimicrobial resistance and transmission of methicillin resistant Staph aureus, shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Campylobacter and Brucella to human. He is an author of more than 40 international scientific publications in this field. Dr. Elhadidy is a current member of the Global Young Academy (serving as exclusive committee member and former chair from the selection committee), African Academy of Sciences, Egyptian Young academy of Sciences (EYAS), and National Microbiology Council and a former member of committee, National Academy of Sciences, USA to develop framework of faculty members in MENA region and Egypt who are better able to teach issues related to the responsible conduct of science by combining tenets of active learning pedagogical techniques.

Guest Panelists 2020

	Dr. Conrad Estrada Conrad Estrada is the Area Director for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Hanoi, Vietnam. He coordinates trade, safeguarding and capacity building activities with his counterparts in the region. Dr. Estrada received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 at the School of Veterinary Medicine of the Universidad Alas Peruanas in Lima, Peru. That same year he received a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health to work with the School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University on a leptospirosis project in the Peruvian amazon. In 2005, he graduated from the University of California, Davis with the degree of Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Estrada worked as an epidemiologist at the National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management of the USDA, developing plans and coordinating the response to transboundary animal diseases in the United States and collaborating with foreign counterparts. In 2009 he was selected to work as the APHIS Attaché in Mexico, and Co-Director of the Mexico –United States Exotic Animal Disease Commission. During his service in Mexico he worked on bilateral issues related to bovine tuberculosis, regionalization for classical swine fever, and coordinated collaboration between Canada and the U.S. to support Mexico’s effort on the eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2012. He also served in Brazil (2013-17) representing APHIS in Eastern South America and with the Pan-American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease as technical liaison supporting FMD eradication efforts in South America.
	Dr. Le Van Phan Le Van Phan presently serves as Associate Professor and Lecturer for the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease within the College of Veterinary Medicine of Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) and was recently appointed Vice Director of the Key Laboratory for Veterinary Biotechnology, VNUA. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from VNUA and his Master of Science from Chungbuk National University, South Korea. After receiving his Doctor of Philosophy from Chung-Ang University, South Korea, Dr. Phan had continued his postdoctoral studies at Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, South Korea for 3 years focusing on important animal diseases, like Foot and Mouth Disease and Newcastle diseases. To date, Dr. Phan has authored/co-authored more than 40 international publications and one patent in USA. In February of 2019, Dr. Phan and his team confirmed that African Swine Fever (ASF) virus was the causative agent of a disease outbreak at a pig farm in Hung Yen Province. This was the first known ASF outbreak in Vietnam, and the results were published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in July 2019. His current research interests continue his good work, focusing on the molecular and genetic characterization of animal pathogens to create new vaccines and improve diagnostic methods.
	Dr. Consuelo Carrillo Dr. Carrillo is a Veterinarian with broad experience of disease epidemiology, diagnosis and control of infectious diseases caused by viruses considered as high consequence pathogens of domestic and farm animals, as well as Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs); with emphasis in ASF, CSF and FMD. Graduating as Veterinarian and post-graduating as PhD in Molecular Sciences from the Facultad de Veterinaria of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain in 1984 and 1990, respectively, she has accumulated experience in all fields of the Veterinarian Science from field practice through basic research on the “Genetic Variability of FMDV in vivo”. She has travelled extensively to work, collaborate and help as TAD’s subject matter expert in countries of the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. She is author of more than 80 peer reviewed scientific publications and book chapters, gave lectures in several veterinary related forums and provide professional advisory and consulting activities in the areas of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Diagnostic of TADs, specifically for FMD, CSF and ASF.
	Dr. Phan Quang Minh Head of Epidemiology Division, Vietnam Department of Animal Health Graduated from Hanoi Agricultural University (Vietnam) and I received a master degree (MSc) in Veterinary Epidemiology at University of London (UK), and PhD degree (Doctor of Philosophy) in Veterinary Epidemiology at Massey University (New Zealand), I have many years working in animal health management and animal health researches, including the leader role in governmental animal health management system. My post-graduate researches focused on epidemiological studies of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Vietnam. I have published many original research articles in the high ranking journals of veterinary epidemiology. I have been involved in the development and implementation of policies/strategies that are related to prevention and control of animal diseases in Vietnam.

	Dr. Badrul Samad Dr. Badrul Samad started his career in public health since 1997 in Ministry of Health (MoH) Malaysia and had been gazzetted as a Public Health Medicine Specialist in 2003. His main expertise is in the area of communicable disease epidemiology, biosecurity, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear & explosives (CBRNe) preparedness & response. In November 2017, Dr. Badrul Samad moved to Disease Control Division at MoH Malaysia headquarters in Putrajaya taking charge for CBRNe affairs. Dr. Badrul Samad is one of the multiagency national trainers for Bioincident Response Investigation Training and Evaluation (BRITE) programme after extensive training he received by many international agencies namely, among others, US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and INTERPOL. Currently, Dr. Badrul Samad is an academician at National Defence University of Malaysia as a senior fellow and public health lecturer
	Dr. Subhash Janardhan Bhore Dr. Subhash is currently a Senior Associate Professor in Biotechnology at AIMST University in Kedah, Malaysia. He received is PhD in Molecular Genetics at UKM/NUM, Malaysia and his Master's of Science in Botany along with a Bachelor's of Science in Botany at the University of Pune, India. Dr. Subhash is a certified Biorisk Management professional (IFBA) and was previously the Chairman of the Institutional Biosafety Committee at AIMST University.

	Dr. Jason Blackburn Dr. Jason Blackburn is an Associate Professor of Medical Geography and the founder/director of the Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory (SEER Lab) at the University of Florida. The SEER Lab focuses on spatio-temporal and ecological modeling of zoonoses and animals’ diseases. The lab is diverse team of 14 researchers jointly housed in Geography and the Emerging Pathogens Institute. SEER Lab\|Geography houses a GIS and modeling lab focused on ecological niche modeling and space-time modeling with an emphasis on zoonoses, such as anthrax and brucellosis. The SEER Lab\|EPI houses a BSL-2/BSL-3 laboratory operation focused on molecular and microbiological characterization of select agent and dangerous pathogens. SEER Lab curates the Martin E. Hugh-Jones Bacillus anthracis collection, a globally diverse reference collection, including a significant collection of low passage wild type strains to compare to historical laboratory-managed strains. The SEER Lab also houses collections of Clostridium and Brucella species. Dr. Blackburn has worked on pathogen modeling, field response to outbreaks, and modeling disease distributions since 2003. He has worked extensively with DTRA on anthrax and brucellosis across the former Soviet Union since 2004 and has worked with partners at NIHE and DAH on these diseases since 2017.
	Dr. Nguyen Khanh Ly Dr. Nguyen Khanh Ly is currently Head of Sero – Biochemio – Toxicology Section, National Centre for Veterinary Diagnosis, Department of Animal Health. She graduated from Agriculture University, Ha Noi, Vietnam since 1999 and later the Master degree on Veterinary in 2004. She attended many training courses on biosafety, quality control and biorisk management in Viet Nam and other countries across the world. Her researches focus on diseases on animal and zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis, Japanese encephalitis and brucellosis. She has over 20 years of working experiences in the lab and she has been working with the Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory (SEER Lab) on brucellosis project since 2017.
	Dr. Ha ThiThu Hoang Dr. Ha T.T. Hoang is the Head of Bacteriology Department, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi (NIHE), Vietnam. She qualified from Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam and obtained PhD degree in Microbiology/Immunology from Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Dr. Ha has been involved in many research projects on infectious diseases and biosafe-biosecurity training programes. Since 2001, her work focused more on bacterial zoonotic diseases which link between human, animal, and environment. Dr. Ha has also been providing education to post-graduate students in the medical field alongside her researches. Currently, Dr. Ha is participating in developing a roadmap to establish a National Public Health Laboratory Reference of the Preventive Medicine System in Vietnam.

	Dr. Jane Rooney Dr. Jane Rooney, directs One Health Coordination (OHC) at UDSA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services(VS) serving as a Scientific and Technical Advisor on veterinary public health, animal health, and application of joint strategies at the human-animal-ecosystem interface. Before joining OHC, Jane was a Senior Staff Veterinarian with VS, National Preparedness and Incident Coordiantion where she worked to build partnerships with Federal, State, and local entities to strengthen early disease detection and rapid response at all levels. Prior to joining USDA, Jane was State Public Health Veterinarian, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources from 2001- 05; CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer, Virginia Department of Health from 1999 – 2001; Senior Scientist, Heska Corporation conducting vaccine research at the CDC, Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch from 1994 – 99 and Director, Ivor Regional Laboratory for the Virginia Department of Agriculture from 1993 - 94. Dr. Rooney received her BS in Medical Technology from the Medical College of VA in 1984 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from VMRCVM (VA Tech) in 1993.
	Dr. Amanda Fine *Associate Director - Asia, Health Program* *Wildlife Conservation Society* Amanda Fine is the Associate Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Health Program. She is based in Hanoi, Viet Nam, and oversees WCS health projects and initiatives in Asia, which include USAID’s Emerging Infectious Disease Program’s PREDICT Project in Viet Nam, and the DTR BTRP-supported WildHealthNet initiative to build national wildlife disease surveillance networks in Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia. Amanda is a graduate of Swarthmore College and has a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology from Michigan State University. During her tenure with WCS, Amanda has managed landscape-level conservation programs in Mongolia, and implementing wildlife health projects focused on zoonotic disease surveillance, avian influenza in wild birds, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in wild and domestic ungulates, and most recently Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) virus at the wildlife/livestock interface in Mongolia. Amanda has a strong interest in participatory methods of disease surveillance and interdisciplinary “One Health” approaches to the management of disease at the interface of human, livestock, and wildlife health. She has conducted research in the U.S. and internationally on zoonotic viruses, brucellosis, parasitic nematodes, and bovine tuberculosis.
	Dr. Adel B. Mohamed BVM, MSc in Mol. pathology and Toxicology Dr. Adel B. Mohamed is a university lecturer and researcher in the Departments of Basic Vet. Science in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science in the College of Pharmacy, and the Departments of forensic medicine in General Administration of Judicial Expertise and Research. Dr. Adel is the current coordinator of Biosafety and Biosecurity in the Libyan Universities since June 2019 and has experience as an instructor and trainer of Biosafety and Biosecurity program for health, science, and research institutions in the eastern region of Libya with focal points to integrate BRM into Libyan curriculum. Mohamed has not only attended several virtual training courses including: Virtual Training on COVID-19 Case Management in Africa, The Effective Use of Public Health Social Measures in Africa, and Special One Health COVID-19 Response ECHO Session For AFROHUN Members and Stakeholders, but he has also had experience as the Head of the office of conferences and international affairs, college of Vet. Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University and as the Head of the Department of Pathology.
	Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao Enteric Viruses, Department of Immune and Microbiology, Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao is currently Head of the laboratory Enteric Viruses, Department of Immune and Microbiology, Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City. She graduated from University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam since 1994 and attended many training courses on biosafety, quality control and biorisk management within Viet Nam and Asia region. She has over 20 years of experiences in teaching and carrying researches on enteric viruses, quality control and biological risk management. Her research interests focus on enterovirus and communicable diseases such as diarrhea, measles, hand, foot and mouth diseases. As among the biosafety officer of biosafety committee within Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, she proactively and continuously contributes her expertise in training on biosafety and Quality management for students and biosafety officers across the country.

	George W. Christopher, MD Dr. George W. Christopher is an infectious diseases physician who focused most of his career supporting biological defense in the US Department of Defense (DoD) through the development and delivery of educational programs, the formulation and implementation of US Government and DoD policies, and by providing administrative support to the development of novel vaccines, diagnostic tests, and therapeutics. He supported international capacity building in Liberia, Uganda, and Zambia, and was a member of the United States Delegation to the 2018 High Level Ministerial Meeting of the Global Health Agenda. He has held faculty appointments at Saint Louis University, the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He retired from government service in 2018.
	Quynh Anh Tran, MD, PhD Department of Environmental Health, School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University Dr. Quynh Anh Tran is a lecturer, deputy-head of Department of Environmental Health, School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam. Her background is a medical doctor and she’s got her PhD degree at Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She has over 15 years of experiences in teaching environmental health in the university for undergraduate and postgraduate students including international students. Her research interests include youth mental health promotion and health risk behaviours, environmental pollution and diseases, climate change and human health. She has worked as a consultant with government agencies (Vietnam Health Environment Management Agency and General Department of Preventive Medicine), and international organizations (ADB, UNDP). She is a member of Vietnam One Health University Network.
	Thanh Long Pham, DVM Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam Dr. Thanh Long Pham is a veterinary epidemiologist working at Epidemiology Division of the Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam. His major task is on terrestrial animal disease control and prevention including highly pathogenic avian influenza in Vietnam, animal disease national surveillance programs development and disease-free compartmentalization support. Long Pham has more than 20 years of working experience in the virology laboratory of the National Center for Veterinary Diagnostics and Epidemiology Division of the Department of Animal Health of Viet Nam. He obtained DVM title from Viet Nam University for Agriculture (the former name was Hanoi Agriculture University) in 1997 and later the Master degree on Veterinary Public Health from Joint-Master course programme between Free University of Berlin and Chiang Mai University in 2009. He is a PhD student of the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology – Uppsala University and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Long Pham used to work for the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as a secondee staff from the Government of Vietnam.
	Dang Huu Anh, DVM, PhD Department of Veterinary microbiology and Animal infectious diseases, Vietnam National University of Agriculture Dr. Dang Huu Anh is a lecturer in the Department of Veterinary microbiology and Animal infectious diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture. Dang is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and he also received his PhD at Kaposvar University, in Hungary. Dang worked for Regional Animal Health Office No 2 for about 3 years before starting a teaching job in 2009. His research interests in Zoonosis, Animal infectious diseases, Mycotoxin and Veterinary Microbiology.

	Thuy Nguyen Thanh, MD, MPH, PhD Center of Quality Assurance and Calibration, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) Dr. Thuy Nguyen Thanh, MD MPH PhD, is Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology’s (NIHE) Center of Quality Assurance and Calibration in Hanoi, Vietnam. In his role as Director, Thanh develops biosafety and quality management guidelines and regulations for NIHE and Vietnam. Prior to his role as Director, Thanh was a researcher in the NIHE’s Department of Preventive Medicine Network Coordination. Thanh conducted research and surveys on Vietnam’s preventive medicine system, provided guidelines and training to provincial centers of preventive medicine, and participated in epidemic control activities. As a biosafety expert for nearly 20 years, Thanh has made significant contributions to biosafety management and practices in Vietnam and the greater region. His active efforts to promote biosafety and biosecurity have also been recognized by the international biorisk community. Formerly a practicing MD, Thanh holds an MPH and a PhD in biosafety.
	Professor David Brett-Major, MD, MPH *Department of Epidemiology University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health* Dr. David Brett-Major, MD MPH, is an Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases physician. He has worked at home, in South America, Africa, and Asia as a clinician, educator, researcher, and in health emergency risk management. He has been part of filovirus emergency response in Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. David has worked in health security policy and management on issues such as research in emergencies, Dual Use Research of Concern, high consequence pathogens including pandemic influenza, and all hazards preparedness. He has been a part of global alert and response coordination against Ebola virus disease, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and avian influenza A(H7N9). As a clinical scientist and medical epidemiologist, his research interests focus on risk, how it may be identified, characterized, and managed from patient- and community-centered vantages, particularly related to emerging infectious diseases.