Date September 4, 2025
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Building a Bench of Biosecurity Leaders

By Carl Dimitri

The Pandemic Center celebrated its inaugural cohort of Biosecurity Game Changers with a completion ceremony highlighting the far-reaching impact of the fellows’ work.

On August 28, the Pandemic Center at Brown University honored its inaugural class of Game Changers Fellows with a virtual graduation ceremony. Comprising eight researchers who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to preventing and preparing for high-stakes global health security challenges, the first cohort’s achievements were recognized at the event by an international audience, highlighting the far-reaching impact of their work.

The Game Changers Fellowship was designed and is led by Wilmot James and Beth Cameron, senior advisors to the Pandemic Center and professors of the practice of health services, policy and practice at the Brown University School of Public Health.  

“Today is an auspicious day,” Cameron said during her welcoming remarks. “We are celebrating the achievements of these eight incredible humans whom we have gotten to know over the course of the year. They have come together in support of biological threat reduction to build a much larger network, touching people around the world through their efforts in this program.”

Biosecurity Fellows virtual graduation ceremony
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Biosecurity Fellow research poster
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Biosecurity Fellow Research Poster
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Biosecurity Fellow Research Poster
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Beginning last September, the Fellows embedded in host institutions around the world to drive a span of initiatives that seek to protect the world from worst-case biological scenarios. Their projects ranged from striving to close critical biosecurity gaps among labs and institutions, to promoting safe and secure methods for achieving the 100 Days Mission, and identifying ways to expand global access to diagnostics. They worked on safeguarding and mapping DNA synthesis practices and shaping biosecurity policy across the Global South.

The graduation event featured keynote speakers Judy Omumbo, head of partnerships and resource mobilization at the Science for Africa Foundation, and Zibusiso Masuku who leads the implementation of the biosafety and biosecurity initiative at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I have seen what you have done this year, and I have seen the impact that you have achieved already in these past 12 months,” Omumbo said during her remarks. “I can see your work as part of a larger movement to build a bench of continental leaders who can integrate science, policy and governance in ways that protect communities and influence global frameworks.”

“Congratulations on this milestone and all that you have done in your various spheres of influence,” Masuku said. “You have all demonstrated your technical capabilities and your ability to stand up and be counted on a global stage. I’m actually amazed at what you have accomplished over the past 12 months. I encourage you to maintain your clarity of vision and purpose and you will always overcome.” 

To provide an operational base for the Fellows, the Game Changers program partnered with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS); the Pandemic Action Network; the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit; the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization Global Health Emergency Corps.

Tags
HSPP / Health Services, Policy & Practice Pandemics

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