Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship
Biotechnology Innovation & International Security Fellowship
Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Biosecurity and Threat Management), Masters
Biological Defense and Health Security, MS/PhD
Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases, Masters
Biodefense, MS/PhD
Belfer Fellowship in Science and International Affairs – International Security Program
ACHS Fellowship Program
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships
Scoville Peace Fellowship
The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship
Callie R. Chappell
Dr. Callie Chappell (they/them) is an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in Biology at Stanford University. Callie’s work focuses on the environmental and social implications of bioengineered organisms that live outside the lab, such as genetically modified microbes. Callie was a fellow with the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) at Stanford University, leading a project promoting community biology labs (“LABraries”) as sites for community-led biodesign innovation. Callie is also a professional artist and led an arts and bioengineering summer camp, BioJam.
Curriculum Module: Biosecurity & Bioethics Education Resource (B-BER)
Biosecurity and bioethics training can support the life sciences research community in securing and safeguarding biotechnology as it delivers powerful new tools, technologies, and products. However, these topics are not always well-integrated into researcher training. B-BER provides tools to support trainee exposure to biosecurity and bioethics concepts and suggestions for using them.
Response to NITRD NCO RFI on the Development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan
Publication Date: March 2025
EBRC’s response to OSTP’s Request for Information regarding the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan to sustain and enhance the US competitive edge within this strategic technology. AI holds a great deal of promise for engineering biology, but it also potentially introduces new risks. Without guardrails and common sense oversight, AI may be appropriated to inform the creation of hazards that could endanger public health and national security. Further, USG must ensure developers and researchers have access to resources required to develop and deploy the technology. Our response recommends policy actions that promote the creation of a competitive and vibrant AI ecosystem that is safe and secure.
Response to RFI on NIST AISI’s Draft Document: Managing Misuse Risk for Dual-Use Foundation (AI) Models
Publication Date: March 2025
EBRC’s response to NIST’s Request for Comment regarding their draft document: “Managing Misuse Risk for Dual-Use Foundation Models.” Protecting technologies against potential misuse is critical for both scientific advancement and public safety. We support the updated document and recommend that NIST’s AI Safety Institute continues this work by collaborating with the scientific community to: 1) Better characterize risks specific to specialized chemical and biological design tools; and, 2) Develop targeted mitigation strategies that protect innovation while preventing misuse.
Strengthening a Safe and Secure Nucleic Acid Synthesis Ecosystem
Publication Date: January 2025
This report presents findings, best practices, and recommendations for quality, measurable nucleic acid synthesis screening and was developed by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) in cooperation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. During 2024, EBRC brought 200 stakeholders together across government, academia, industry, and civil society in a series of workshops to consider key aspects of nucleic acid synthesis screening, including Sequence of Concern database development and conformity assessment. This report provides best practices for a range of stakeholders and offers recommendations to support the adoption of screening practices and improve screening outcomes. Cross-sector collaboration will continue to be necessary to tackle screening challenges and effectively implement U.S. policy. Further, strong international partnerships will be necessary to advance quality screening around the globe (learn more).
EBRC 2025 Annual Meeting
Meeting Agenda
Communications One-Pager
Registration is now closed.
Our 2025 Annual Meeting will be held May 1-2, 2025 at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA!
The EBRC Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for the engineering biology community to come together to engage on matters important to advancing engineering biology. In addition to inspiring research talks and poster presentations, EBRC’s meeting holds time to consider the larger engineering biology research ecosystem in which we all exist and work together to move the field forward. We invite you to join us to present and discuss your latest research, build relationships with your colleagues in academia, industry, and government, and advance the member-driven work of EBRC. Attendance at the Annual Meeting is open to all EBRC members, their lab members, employees of institutional members, and all SPA members. We also warmly welcome all those in the Seattle area with an interest in engineering biology to join us.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Kate Rubins, microbiologist and NASA Astronaut, will be delivering this year’s keynote address!
Registration:
Registration closed April 16, 2025. To confirm your spot and offset some of the meal costs, there will be a nominal fee ($150 for faculty & industry and $75 for students & postdocs). If this fee is prohibitive for you or your lab members, please email helix@ebrc.org.
Abstract submissions for are now closed. Abstract submission is separate from registration. Submissions from all attendees are welcome! We encourage you to submit your latest, ongoing work as a mechanism to engage in community dialogue. Abstracts for posters are due on April 16, 2025
IMPORTANT DATES:
March 9, 2025: Last day to submit talk abstracts
March 26, 2025: Notification of talk selection
April 1, 2025: Registration closes for those with EBRC-supported travel
April 4, 2025: Deadline for hotel and travel arrangements by EBRC
April 16, 2025: Registration closes*
April 16, 2025: Last day to submit poster abstracts
*registration may still be possible after this date but will incur additional costs
Annual Meeting Venue:
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Meeting Hotel:
*Update* — Our block of rooms at Graduate by Hilton Seattle and Residence Inn Seattle University District is now fully booked. We suggest you reach out to these nearby hotels if you need accommodations: Watertown Hotel, University Inn, and College Inn Hotel.
EBRC has reserved a block of hotel rooms at the Residence Inn Seattle University District at $199.00 per night (includes breakfast and WiFi) and Graduate by Hilton Seattle at $219.00 per night (includes breakfast and WiFi). If your travel is not covered by EBRC, you can provide payment at check in. Please contact helix@ebrc.org with any questions rather than contacting the hotel directly.
Transportation:
Alder Hall is about a 15-minute (0.5 mile) walk from both the Graduate by Hilton Seattle and Residence Inn Seattle University District. Use the Alder Commons entrance located on NE 40th Street.
Travel Support:
We anticipate covering airfare and hotel expenses for:
- Individuals selected as speakers from academia, including students and postdocs;
- EBRC Academic Council members selected as Session Chairs; and
- Student and Postdoc Association Board members who present a poster or are selected as speakers.
Individuals who will receive travel support will be contacted by email to complete their flight bookings. The meeting will conclude at 3:00PM on Friday, May 2 and we encourage those receiving travel support to find an evening flight if at all possible. We will only cover Friday night hotel expenses with prior approval. Please contact helix@ebrc.org if you anticipate needing Friday night accommodations. Please also note that travel support does not include the confirmation/meal fee ($150 for faculty and $75 for students and postdocs). Email helix@ebrc.org if this fee is prohibitive. Please see EBRC’s full travel policy here.
We encourage you to make your travel plans early, as we will cap the level of airfare support provided by EBRC. Airfare must be booked by April 4 to be eligible for EBRC support.
Health and Safety:
We are committed to hosting a safe event. We will be closely watching CDC recommendations in addition to all relevant local and state guidelines leading up to the Meeting and make any changes necessary for health and safety.
Dress Code:
The EBRC Annual Meeting does not have a dress code. EBRC values diversity and individual expression — we encourage participants to come as they are and wish to present themselves to the world.
Global Forum 1.0 (2019)
The inaugural EBRC Global Forum for Engineering Biology (EBRC Global Forum 1.0) was held on September 9-10, 2019, in Santa Cruz, California. This international summit focused on national synthetic biology roadmaps and strategies, bringing together representatives from over 15 countries with active programs in synthetic biology. The two-day event featured plenary sessions to exchange information and review key international and national trends shaping engineering biology strategies and policies.
