IFBA, International Federation of Biosafety Associations

NuAire Grant for IFBA Professional Certification in Biosafety Cabinets The IFBA is inviting applications for a NuAire www.nuaire.com funded grant to cover examination fees towards obtaining the IFBA’s Professional Certification in Biosafety Cabinet Selection, Installation and Safe Use. NuAire Laboratory Equipment has a long tradition of supporting Biosafety Associations as an educational effort to further understanding and knowledge in support of the life science community. T...his certification identifies individuals with demonstrated competencies in the fundamental principles & practices of selecting and safely using biosafety cabinets for the handling of infectious materials. Candidates applying for this certification must have successfully complete the pre-requisite IFBA’s Professional Certification in Biorisk Management before they are eligible for this grant. For more information about the IFBA’s certification in Biosafety Cabinets please visit Professional Certification Biosafety Cabinets Exam Content Study Guide. Individuals who are interested in applying for the grant are requested to fill out the application form available to download here: https://internationalbiosafety.org//connecting-sponsors-w/ The deadline to submit your completed application is May 7, 2021. To learn more about NuAire please visit: www.nuaire.com https://internationalbiosafety.org/nuaire-grant-for-ifba-p/

Spotlight on IFBA Member Association The International Federation of Biosafety Associations is pleased to spotlight the Japanese Biological Safety Association, our member organization in Japan. The Japanese Biological Safety Association seeks to improve and develop the level of biosafety in Japan. JBSA steps up the research of biosafety-safety management, safety equipment and laboratory facilities to handle pathogenic agents, and spreads knowledge of biosafety by education a...nd training. JBSA reaches out to researchers in microbiology, zoology, biosafety officers in laboratories and hospital diagnostic labs, manufacturers of biological products, engineers of safety equipment, laboratory facility designers, maintenance staff, disinfection staff, medical doctors, veterinary doctors, clinical diagnosis staff, health administration staff and other related persons who are interested in biosafety. JBSA 2021 Activity Plan-1: Symposium Introduction of Biosafety Management Professional Training Course Half day courses done online 25th of March and 9th of April 2021, Tsukuba Training course on Biosafety Management Professionals (5 day course) 14th-18th of July and 25th-29th of October 2021, Tsukuba This course will cover topics to prepare participants for the Biosafety Management Professional Certification Exam. JBSA 2021 Activity Plan-2: General meeting and academic meeting in November 2021, Kyoto. JBSA newsletter which is issued 2-3 times a year. JBSA has its own Biosafety Management Professional certification system. The training course of Biosafety Management Professional is JBSA's original training for professional certification and a certification test after the training. JBSA website: www.microbiology.co.jp/jbsa/english_info.html https://internationalbiosafety.org/member/member-spotlight/

Certified Professional’s Spotlight The International Federation of Biosafety Associations is pleased to spotlight Dr. Sri Handayani Irianingsih, an IFBA certified professional in Biorisk Management in Indonesia. Dr. Sri Handayani Irianingsih is a Microbiologist from Indonesia and is currently serving as Coordinator of the Virology Laboratory in Disease Investigation in Centre Wates, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. She is also a Biosafety Officer in Disease Investigation in Centre Wate...s and involved in the Biorisk Management System for implementing biosafety and biosecurity aspects of a BSL-2 laboratory working with infectious and zoonotic agents. She constantly strives to enhance the capacity and implementation of biorisk management in her institution. Currently Dr. Sri Handayani Irianingsih still works in the virology laboratory but has also started work in the COVID-19 laboratory. In addition, she carries out investigation and surveillance of animal disease, as well as, viral genetic characterization (Avian Influenza, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, African Swine Fever Virus). Dr. Sri Handayani Irianingsih received her Doctorate for Veterinary Medicine in 2001 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. After graduating she commenced her work as a virologist, diagnosing viral animal diseases. She has also worked with cell cultures and virus isolation. In 2010 Dr. Sri Handayani Irianingsih also received her Masters Degree in Biotechnology at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada while maintaining her important virology work. In 2019 she completed her Doctorate in Veterinary Science at Veterinary Science Doctoral Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada all while maintaining her position as the Coordinator of Virology laboratory she worked in. https://internationalbiosafety.org//certified-professiona/

Priorities for IFBA: https://youtu.be/cIS2thE4R9g

Why Belong to IFBA: https://youtu.be/6Iaq4X2P-dw

Global Health Security Agenda Consortium Statement on the Role of NGOs The International Federation of Biosafety Associations is pleased to participate as a member of the Global Health Security Agenda Consortium (GHSAC), a collective of nongovernmental entities who are dedicated to promote values of collaboration, excellence, innovation, and commitment in implementing the Global Health Security Agenda, the International Health Regulations, the OIE Performance of Veterinary S...ervices Pathways, the Biological Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 1540. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that collaboration among governments and non-governmental partners, as well as across sectors, is essential to addressing gaps in prevention and preparedness efficiently, developing innovative approaches, and reaching civil society and communities. Non-governmental institutions, including professional biosafety associations, have played significant roles before and during the COVID- 19 pandemic in collaborating across disciplines and sectors. The Consortium calls on distinguished colleagues in the Global Health Security Agenda to draw on the expertise of nongovernmental entities as we move forward together to strengthen practices and integrate lessons learned into more effective frameworks for global health security and resilient health systems. Read the entire GHSAC statement here: https://ghsacngs.org//the-6th-global-health-security-agen/ Learn more about the GHSAC here: https://ghsacngs.org/about-us/ https://internationalbiosafety.org/global-health-security-/

The International Federation of Biosafety Associations is pleased to spotlight Dr. Aparna Banerjee, an IFBA Certified Professional in Biorisk Management and Biological Waste Management in India https://internationalbiosafety.org//certified-professiona/

The International Federation of Biosafety Associations is pleased to spotlight the Hellenic Society of Biosafety, our member organization in Greece https://internationalbiosafety.org/member/member-spotlight/

New Members Join IFBA’s Board of Directors The International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) is pleased to announce the addition of new members to our Board of Directors to guide our organizations towards the future. The Board provides leadership for carrying out the IFBA’s mission to promote Safe, Secure, & Responsible Work with Biological Materials worldwide. Board members are elected by the IFBA Member Biosafety Associations and selected based on a demonstrat...ed record of possessing the specific qualifications and competencies necessary for effective governance of the organization. Board Members 1. Aamer Ikram, Chair Past Vice-Chair IFBA Board of Directors IFBA Professional Certification in Biorisk Management IFBA Professional Certification in Biological Waste Management Member IFBA Certification Body President Pakistan Biological Safety Association (PBSA) 2. Martin Moreno, Vice-Chair President Biorisk Association of Philippines (BRAP) IFBA Certification in Biorisk Management IFBA Certification in Biosecurity IFBA Biosafety Hero award winner 3. Thomas Binz President, European Biosafety Association (EBSA) 4. Nicolas Steenkeste Biosafety Project Manager, Foundation Merieux 5. Ndlovu Nqobile Chief Executive Officer, African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) 6. Viji Vijayan Member IFBA Board of Directors Vice-President, Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association Associate Dean, Duke NUS Medical School 7. Khalid Temsamani President Moroccan Biosafety Association (MOBSA) IFBA Certification in Biorisk Management IFBA Certification in Biosecurity 8. Sacha Wallace-Sankarsingh Biorisk Manager, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) 9. Rukia Kibaya Member, Biorisk Management Association of Kenya (BMAK) IFBA Global Mentor IFBA Professional Certification in Biorisk Management IFBA Professional Certification in Biosecurity Member IFBA Biorisk Management Certification Technical Committee 10. Sonia Drobysz Program Director for National Implementation, VERTIC Board Observers 1. Gregers Chalker Alpa Sales, Air Filter Maintenance Member IFBA Biocontainment Certification Technical Committee 2. Kathryn McLaughlin Biosecure https://internationalbiosafety.org/new-ifba-board-of-direc/

The IFBA recently collected feedback from certified professionals across the globe in order to measure the program's impact and progress towards goals. Key results from the survey are presented at this link: https://internationalbiosafety.org//IFBA-Certification-Pro Many respondents facing unprecedented challenges on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic said that IFBA Certification prepared them to respond to the crisis more effectively. The IFBA’s exams test not only ...the knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity concepts but their practical application as well. We also asked if individuals and organizations value certification as a sign of expertise and enhanced biosafety and biosecurity practices. The answer is yes, they do, in several different ways: - More in-depth understanding and implementation of best practices - Enhanced responsibility at the workplace - Greater confidence, credibility, and commitment to influence changes in behaviours and practices Looking to the future, 99.5% of respondents said they would recommend certification to their colleagues, and 98.5% of respondents plan on taking an additional certification exam. We look forward to a bright future working together in expanding and adapting the certification program to meet the evolving needs of our global biosafety community.