Under the Weather: The Nexus of Climate Change and Biodefense
Thursday December 5, 2024
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
New York City

The focus of this meeting will be to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of: 1) the effects of climate change on human health and one health, 2) the future implications of migration and shifting disease patterns, and 3) policy considerations to reduce the inevitable impacts of climate change on biodefense.

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FLUency: True Expertise and Effectiveness in the Battle Against Influenza
Tuesday October 8, 2024
9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Washington, DC

The focus of this meeting will be to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of: (1) national leadership to defend food and agriculture against influenza; (2) federal operational requirements for preparedness, coordination, and response; (3) biosurveillance, forecasting, and the need for diagnostic tests; and (4) front-line needs and partnerships in the fight against influenza.

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Masters of the Air: Overcoming Airborne Pathogens Indoors
Thursday July 25, 2024
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

NOTE NEW START TIME FOR THIS MEETING: Meeting will start at 11am (not at 10:30am). The focus of this meeting will be to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of: (1) how the federal government currently addresses indoor air quality; (2) new scientific and technological advances for indoor air quality; and (3) how enhancing indoor air quality can help prevent the spread of pathogens.

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A Tribute to Senator Lieberman with the Release of the 2024 National Blueprint for Biodefense
Tuesday May 7, 2024
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Washington, DC

Please join us for a program and reception honoring Senator Joe Lieberman's legacy on the day the Commission releases its landmark 2024 National Blueprint for Biodefense.

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Meeting the Moment: Biodefense Policy, Procurement, and Public Health
Tuesday December 5, 2023
10:45 am - 3:00 pm
Washington, DC

As the Nation continues to endure the consequences of recent pandemics, and with continued interest in biological weapons by nation states and other enemies, the federal government has an opportunity to address vulnerabilities in the biodefense enterprise. At this meeting, the Commission intends to further explore : (1) biodefense policies and activities at the Department of Defense; (2) federal stockpile evaluation and decision-making for smallpox medical countermeasures; (3) needed authorities of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and (4) biodefense leadership.

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No Checkered Flag: The Perpetual Race Against Biological Threats
Wednesday September 27, 2023
9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Indianapolis, IN

The focus of this meeting will be to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of: (1) state and local efforts to strengthen public health and biodefense; (2) special security management of biological threats to mass gatherings; and (3) efforts to understand and mitigate the agricultural impact of biological threats to plants and animals.

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Solving the Puzzle: Biological Intelligence and Information Sharing
Thursday July 27, 2023
10:30 am - 2:45 pm
Washington, DC

As the biological threat continues to evolve, biological intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination activities, as well as information sharing, must increase to keep pace with the advances of our adversaries. At this upcoming meeting, the Commission intends to further explore the expanding nature of the biological threat, the federal biological intelligence enterprise, and information sharing with non-federal governments.

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Advanced Technologies & Methods for Global Health & Biodefense Virtual Conference
Wednesday June 7, 2023

Executive Director Asha M. George, DrPH will give a presentation entitled "A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform Still Needed to Advance Efforts," at the 30th International Biodetection Technologies: Advanced Technologies & Methods for Global Health & Biodefense Virtual Conference.

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What journalists should know about avian flu and pandemic preparedness
Thursday May 18, 2023
2:00 pm

Ambika Bumb, Deputy Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, will talk about what reporters need to know about zoonotic threats, the biodefense of animal agriculture, and the reasons to keep writing about pandemic preparedness, particularly given legislation pending in Congress this year. She will also speak to what kind of government plan is required to reduce the risk of another global pandemic in the near future.

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Informing Blueprint 2.0: Know the Enemy
Tuesday May 9, 2023
10:30 am - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

In this upcoming meeting, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense intends to further explore the prevention, deterrence, and attribution of biological threats. The discussion will delve into how these critical elements of biodefense can be improved through technology, policy, and coordination. This meeting will inform the Commission’s refresh of the National Blueprint for Biodefense, which we will issue later this year.

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PAHPA 101 Briefing Hosted by the Congressional Pandemic Preparedness Caucus
Thursday May 4, 2023
9:30 am - 10:30 am

In anticipation of the reauthorization of the Pandemics and All-Hazard Preparedness Act (PAHPA), the bipartisan Congressional Pandemic Preparedness Caucus for the 118th Congress requested the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense develop and present a PAHPA 101 briefing for better educate Congressional staff on the bill. 

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Creating the Framework for Tomorrow’s Pathogen Research
Wednesday April 19, 2023
Geneva, Switzerland

Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George participated in The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Pathogens Project on Creating the Framework for Tomorrow’s Pathogen Research in Geneva, Switzerland.

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A Conversation on Improving American Public Health Preparedness
Thursday March 23, 2023
Washington, DC

Axios hosted an event in Washington D.C. exploring how the U.S. can improve its public health preparedness and why doing so is crucial featuring Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George.

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Informing Blueprint 2.0: Please, Look Up!
Tuesday March 21, 2023
10:45 am - 2:30 pm
Washington, DC

In this upcoming meeting, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense intends to further explore preparedness needs and efforts, new solutions to improve biosurveillance, and data modernization.  The discussion will delve into how preparedness coordination between federal and state efforts can be better harmonized and how the nation can best ensure having eyes on the ground during the emergence of a biothreat.  This meeting will inform the Commission’s refresh of the National Blueprint for Biodefense, which we will issue later this year.

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Challenges and Opportunities to Investigating the Origins of Pandemics and Other Biological Events
Wednesday February 1, 2023
Washington, DC

Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, will testify as an expert witness before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations tomorrow, February 1, at 2:00 p.m. The hearing, titled Challenges and Opportunities to Investigating the Origins of Pandemics and Other Biological Events, will examine current national capabilities to investigate origins of biological threats, and how to improve those capabilities.

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Afterthoughts: Response, Recovery and Mitigation of Biological Events
Thursday December 8, 2022
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

Seven years after the release of the Commission's National Blueprint for Biodefense, the Nation remains critically unprepared for future biological events, which threaten to strain resources and impact government efforts to address threats like COVID-19. At this meeting, the Commission intends to further explore challenges for biodefense response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities at all levels of government and the private sector.

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Banding Together: Partnerships for Biodefense
Thursday September 22, 2022
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

Please join us on Thursday, September 22, 2022 when we will convene an in-person meeting of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense to better understand how to leverage and establish partnerships for innovation, biological intelligence, and technological defense against biological threats.  The meeting will delve into what is needed to incentivize and effectively manage partnerships between the federal government and industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations to drive the development of new medical countermeasures for current and future threats.

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Moving Into The New Normal – 2022 JOINT COPs Meeting
Wednesday July 20, 2022
Washington, DC

The Commission's Policy Associate Robert Bradley will be presenting the Commission's latest report, Boots on the Ground: Land-Grant Universities in the Fight Against Threats to Food and Agriculture at the 2022 Joint COPs Summer Meeting entitled "Moving Into The New Normal", on July 20, 2022.

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The Power of Partnering to Accelerate Preparedness – BLUE KNIGHT SYMPOSIUM 2022
Thursday June 9, 2022
Washington, DC

The Commission's Deputy Executive Director Ambika Bumb will be speaking on Developing Regional Innovation Ecosystems to Accelerate Preparedness at the BLUE KNIGHT SYMPOSIUM 2022, a joint JLABS and BARDA initiative to support early-stage companies working to address future known and unknown health threats.

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Medical, Biomedical, & Biodefense: Support to the Warfighter Symposium
June 8 - 9, 2022
Chapel Hill, NC

The Commission's Research Associate, J.T. O'Brien spoke about Biodefense Preparedness and the need for an Apollo Program for Biodefense at the Medical, Biomedical & Biodefense: Support to the Warfighter Symposium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on June 8-9, 2022.

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Boots on the Ground: Land-Grant Universities in the Fight Against Threats to Food and Agriculture
Monday May 9, 2022
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When Borders Don’t Matter: Defending the Homeland Against Biological Threats
Tuesday May 3, 2022
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

Please join us on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 when we will convene an in-person meeting of the Commission, “When Borders Don’t Matter: Defending the Homeland Against Biological Threats”, to provide the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense with a better understanding of: (1) biological incidents that affect homeland and national security; (2) roles and responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in addressing biological threats; and (3) opportunities to enhance national biodefense.

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The Athena Agenda: Advancing The Apollo Program for Biodefense
Tuesday April 12, 2022
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Women in Homeland Presents Women Leading History
Wednesday March 30, 2022
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

Women in Homeland Security is pleased to invite you to an exciting Symposium with leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense...

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The Biological Threat Expanse: Current and Future Challenges to National Biodefense
Tuesday March 22, 2022
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Washington, DC

Please join us on March 22, 2022 when we will convene an in-person meeting of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense to provide a better understanding of: (1) the expanding landscape of current and future biological threats; (2) the roles and responsibilities of the federal government in assess and preparing for various biological threats; and (3) biological weapons, bioterrorism, and biological arms races.

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Addressing the Gaps in America’s Biosecurity Preparedness
Thursday February 17, 2022
Washington, DC

Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, testifies as an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs this Thursday, Feb. 17, at 10:15 a.m. The hearing, titled Addressing the Gaps in America’s Biosecurity Preparedness will be held in Room 342 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building and via videoconference.

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The Athena Agenda: Executing The Apollo Program for Biodefense
Wednesday December 8, 2021
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Washington, DC

Join the Commission for in-person meeting to provide a better understanding of ongoing federal efforts to implement The Apollo Program for Biodefense, the role of the private sector in implementing The Apollo Program for Biodefense, how the public and private sectors can fully implement The Apollo Program for Biodefense within ten years.

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Conversations before Midnight
Tuesday November 9, 2021

Dr. Asha George discussed the global response to COVID-19 and how to better prepare for future pandemics at Conversations before Midnight, a Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists annual event, on November 9, 2021. 

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Saving Sisyphus: Course Corrections for National Biodetection
Tuesday November 2, 2021
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Washington, DC

Join the Commission for an in-person meeting to provide a better understanding of challenges facing federal biodetection programs, public and private advancements in environmental biodetection technology, and mission requirements for 21st Century biodetection capabilities.

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Dr. Asha M. George and the Future of Biodefense with Booz Allen Hamilton
Monday October 25, 2021

Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, met with a panel of senior leaders of Booz Allen Hamilton to drive discussion on how each market can contribute to the future work of the Biodefense and Health Security Mission.

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Saving Sisyphus: Advanced Biodetection for the 21st Century
Wednesday October 13, 2021
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Insidious Scourge: Critical Infrastructure at Biological Risk
Tuesday October 5, 2021
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United States Must Prepare for Three Categories of Biosecurity Threats
Tuesday October 5, 2021

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense urges policymakers to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and address critical gaps in the Nation’s biodefense. That needs to happen before we face the next infectious disease pandemic or biological attack. Watch Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George's interview on the Government Matters news program.

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Two Decades After 9/11: What We’ve Learned About Public Health Preparedness and Leadership
Thursday September 9, 2021

Dr. Asha George examined preparedness infrastructure in place today and the process to build a more sustainable preparedness system to meet current and future needs during ASTHO's September 9, 2021 conference. 

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Biologia et Machina: Cyberbiosecurity for Today’s Hybrid Evolution
Tuesday June 22, 2021
10:00 am

Join the Commission as it assesses the threats and vulnerabilities of cyberbiosecurity in addition to investigating the opportunities and solutions to address these threats, and the role of the federal government in securing the future.

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Advancing Global Health Security and Biopreparedness
Wednesday June 9, 2021

Dr. Asha George shared insights from the Commission's reports regarding coordinated defense against, and the response to, biological threats at the Defense Strategies Institute 9th Annual Joint Civil and DOD CBRN Symposium held at the National Harbor on June 8-9, 2021.

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Biodefense in Crisis: Filling the Gaps for the NEXT COVID
Thursday May 13, 2021

Dr. Asha George discussed our nation’s vulnerabilities to biological threats and presented key findings that can help strengthen the nation’s efforts to deter biological events.

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Biodefense in Crisis – Immediate Action Needed to Address National Vulnerabilities
Tuesday March 30, 2021
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Holding the Line on Biodefense: Supporting First Response to Large-Scale Biological Events
Tuesday March 23, 2021
10:00 am

Join the Commission to better understand the needs of the first responder community and how the federal government can better support non-federal response to future biological incidents.

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Commission Report: The Apollo Program for Biodefense – Winning the Race Against Biological Threats
Friday January 15, 2021
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A Nation Unprepared: Incomplete Implementation of the National Blueprint for Biodefense
Monday November 30, 2020

Join the Commission to better understand federal efforts to enhance national biodefense since the 2015 release of the National Blueprint for Biodefense.

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Commission Report: Diagnostics for Biodefense – Flying Blind with No Plan to Land
Tuesday November 10, 2020
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The Case for Better National Emergency Planning:  Where did we go wrong with COVID-19 and how can we be more diligent and proactive?
Wednesday October 14, 2020

Any comprehensive National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) capability in the United States has atrophied amid the increase of threats that could cause a catastrophic disaster across the country. Dr. Asha George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense joined other experts to discuss how COVID-19 compels better NSEP planning.

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Securing Agriculture, Food, and its Economy (SAFE) with Cyberbiosecurity
Tuesday October 6, 2020

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense's Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George will join other experts to discuss common food and agricultural system challenges, scenarios, outcomes and risks to various sectors of the system, cyberbiosecurity strategies, gaps in workforce and training, and research and policy needs.

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Battlefronts 2020
Wednesday September 30, 2020

What is the number one global security threat the U.S. and world will confront in the coming years? What is the single greatest opportunity before us to advance security around the world? The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense's Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George joined other experts to provide an inside look on the future conflicts, forces, and opportunities that will shape our world.

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The Biological Event Horizon: No Return or Total Resilience
Thursday September 24, 2020

While COVID-19 is the current biological threat we face, it will not be the last and is likely to not be the worst, and man-made disease threats are also becoming increasingly likely due to advances in technology. Innovative science and technology solutions exist or are in development that could change the game for biodefense. At this meeting, the Commission addressed these emerging biological threats and innovative science and technology solutions to address them.

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Raw Science Podcast: Science + The Law | Future Biological Threats
Tuesday July 28, 2020

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense's Executive Director, Dr. Asha M. George, again joined the Raw Science Podcast as a guest speaker to discuss what the future holds for dealing with bio threats and what can be done scientifically and legally. Topics include the opening of casinos versus churches, the speed and safety of vaccines, the role of simulations and preparedness, and the responsibility of scientists versus federal agencies and the courts. She is joined by moderator: Sr. Judge Loren Smith, US Court of Federal Claims and guest speaker Dr. Robert Rosner, William E. Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics, and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

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COVID Complexities: Converging Threats, Fractured Resources
Tuesday July 21, 2020

The ongoing novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken the lives of more than 100,000 Americans and damaged the Nation’s economy. As the country reopens, the disease threatens the public, now and into the foreseeable future. Federal support for state, local, tribal and territorial preparedness and biosurveillance will be crucial to addressing further spread of COVID-19. The Commission addressed national policy and resource needs for response to and recovery from this crisis.

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Podcast: Dr. George on Mohr Stories
Monday July 20, 2020

Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, was recently interviewed by Jay Mohr, host of the national podcast “Mohr Stories: Put Your Name On It!”. According to Jay, she helped him “get his facts straight” about COVID-19.

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Raw Science Podcast: COVID-19 + Movement of People
Wednesday July 8, 2020

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense's Executive Director, Dr. Asha M. George, joined the Raw Science Podcast as a guest speaker to discuss the limits of government control over the movement of people in the context of COVID-19. She is joined by moderator Sr. Judge Loren Smith, US Court of Federal Claims and guest speaker Dr. Robert Rosner, William E. Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics, and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

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COVID-19: Forewarned, But Not Forearmed
Friday May 8, 2020

The ongoing novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a real-time stress test of the Nation’s preparedness and ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases.

On May 8, 2020, we premiered a virtual meeting of the Commission-- COVID-19: Forewarned But Not Forearmed-- to better understand the ongoing response to novel coronavirus 2019, national readiness to address possible large-scale spread of the disease in the United States and throughout the world, and implications for improving preparedness for the next biological threat.

Speakers shared their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to the federal and non-federal responses to COVID-19.

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Biological Warfare and Pandemics in the Middle East: Confronting a Growing Crisis
Thursday April 2, 2020

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense's Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George joined other experts in an online panel hosted by the Middle East Instititute entitled: Biological Warfare and Pandemics in the Middle East: Confronting a Growing Crisis.

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ROUNDTABLE: Are We Prepared? Protecting the U.S. from Global Pandemics
Wednesday February 12, 2020
9:30 am
Washington, DC

On Wednesday, February 12th, U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a roundtable hearing titled, "Are we Prepared? Protecting the U.S. from Global Pandemics." The purpose of this roundtable is to examine the nation's level of preparedness against current and future pandemic threats, particularly in the context of the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China. The event featured the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, as a witness.

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Containing the Coronavirus: Challenges to Thwarting the Outbreak
Monday February 10, 2020
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Washington, DC

On Monday, February 10th, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense and Hudson Institute hosted a panel discussion on the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and how the United States can respond to the growing outbreak effectively.

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Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Annual Meeting
Thursday November 7, 2019
Chicago, IL

Dr. Asha George led a session of the annual meeting entitled Everything Old Is New Again. Dr. George addressed the enormous benefits of advancements in biology which at the same time, raise a host of new concerns. Advances in four areas in particular are occurring extremely quickly: synthetic biology, cyberbiology, microbiology, and biotechnology and Dr. George provided an overview of the changing biological threat landscape and covered ideas such as the creation of a super soldier, the combination of organic matter with nanotechnology, and the use of DNA itself to store information.  All of these have very real ethical and national security implications, and are worthy of attention.

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Too Great a Thing to Leave Undone: Defense of Agriculture
Tuesday November 5, 2019
Fort Collins, CO

On November 5, 2019, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense held a meeting, Too Great a Thing to Leave Undone: Defense of Agriculture at Colorado State University, to inform our continuing assessment of the biological threat, specific vulnerabilities, and overwhelming consequences to agricultural producers.

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Colorado State University Highlights Cutting-Edge Agrodefense Research
Monday November 4, 2019
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University officials hosted Commissioners Daschle and Wainstein on a tour of campus facilities relevant to agrodefense. The Commissioners were shown locations and capabilities highlighting the University's prominent role in public/private partnerships, association with various federal labs, and advancements in veterinary and translational medicine.

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Defending the Homeland from Bioterrorism: Are We Prepared?
Thursday October 17, 2019
Capitol Hill

Dr. Asha George testified before the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery warning the country is not adequately prepared for a potential bio terrorist attack.

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Cyberbio Convergence: Characterizing the Multiplicative Threat
Tuesday September 17, 2019
Washington, DC

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense held a meeting on September 17, 2019 to inform our continuing assessment of the cyberbiological threats, specific vulnerabilities, and consequences. Federal, academic, industry, and law enforcement experts shared their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to cyberbiosecurity, and talked about public and private sector responsibilities to protect the nation and ensure that the U.S. bioeconomy grows unimpeded.

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Contest to Win Signed Copy of Graphic Novel, “Germ Warefare: A Very Graphic History”
Friday August 23, 2019
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A Manhattan Project for Biodefense: Taking Biological Threats Off The Table
Thursday July 11, 2019
New York, NY

The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense held a meeting in New York City on July 11, 2019 to discuss "A Manhattan Project for Biodefense" - a national, public-private research and development undertaking to defend the Nation against biological threats, including biological warfare, bioterrorism, and infectious disease pandemics.

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U.S. Biodefense, Preparedness, and Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance for National Security
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Capitol Hill

Panel Executive Director Dr. Asha M. George testified to the National Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Overview and Reform during the U.S. Biodefense, Preparedness, and Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance for National Security hearing.

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Advancing Tribal Public Health Partnerships
Wednesday May 22, 2019
Capitol Hill

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a round table discussion titled "Advancing Tribal Public Health Partnerships" on May 22, 2019. Rob Bradley was asked to represent the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense as an active participant.

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Max Brooks and Panel Release Graphic Novel on the History of Germ Warfare at Awesome Con
Saturday April 27, 2019
Washington DC

Best-selling author and zombie-expert Max Brooks joined Panel member Ken Wainstein and Panel Director Asha George to discuss Brook's latest graphic novel entitled, "Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History" at the 2019 Awesome Con on April 27.

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Presentation at the Biodefense Summit: Implementation of the National Defense Strategy
Wednesday April 17, 2019
Washington, DC

In today’s interconnected world, biological incidents have the potential to cost thousands of American lives, cause significant anxiety, and disrupt travel and trade. The National Biodefense Strategy, released on September 18, 2018, sets the course for the United States to combat the serious biothreats our country faces, whether they arise from natural outbreaks of disease, accidents involving high consequence pathogens, or the actions of terrorists or state actors. The Biodefense Summit aims to engage the biodefense stakeholder community to inform national biodefense enterprise efforts to counter biological threats, reduce risk, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological incidents. The Summit will inform implementation of the National Biodefense Strategy.

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Biodefense 101 Briefing
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Capitol Hill, Washington DC

Dr. Asha George, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, provided a briefing to congressional offices on the severity of biological threats to the country. Topics included federal programs and activities needed to prepare the nation against biological crime, terrorism, warfare, and pandemics. Dr. George also shared recommendations from the Panel’s 2015 report, “A National Blueprint for Biodefense”, which addressed gaps in federal preparedness for a biological event. The briefing closed with discussion of the National Biodefense Strategy, released in September 2018, which was one of the Panel's major recommendations.

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Fighting the Next War: Defense Against Biological Weapons
Tuesday February 5, 2019
Washington, DC

The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense held a meeting on February 5, 2019 to get a better understanding of the responsibilities and requirements for federal biodefense efforts that are unique to the U.S. Department of Defense.

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Biodefense Indicators: Progress in Implementing Key Elements of the National Blueprint for Biodefense
Wednesday November 14, 2018
Washington, DC

The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense held a meeting to gain a better understanding of how far the Executive Branch has come in implementing the National Blueprint for Biodefense. The Panel also discussed the recently released National Strategy for Biodefense with representatives from the White House.

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Podcast: Senator Daschle on The West Wing Weekly
Tuesday October 30, 2018

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is a special guest on an episode of The West Wing Weekly, the popular podcast that explores storylines from the NBC hit TV show, The West Wing.

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Panel Report: Holding the Line on Biodefense – State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Reinforcements Needed
Thursday October 11, 2018
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Fits and Starts: Reactionary Biodefense
Tuesday October 9, 2018
Washington, DC

The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense held a meeting to reexamine the anthrax events of 2001, as well as subsequent biological events to discuss where we are now and what else we need to do to ensure national biodefense.

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The Cost of Resilience: Impact of Large-Scale Biological Events on Business, Finance, and the Economy
Tuesday July 31, 2018
Washington, DC

A biological attack could have devastating economic, social, and political consequences. The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense held a special focus meeting on The Cost of Resilience: The Impact of Large-Scale Biological Events on Business, Finance, and the Economy.

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Transnational Biological Threats and Global Security
Wednesday April 25, 2018
Washington, DC

The biological threats to the Nation increase continuously, recognizing no borders. The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense held a public meeting to address Transnational Biological Threats and Global Security.

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Panel Report: Budget Reform for Biodefense – Integrated Budget Needed to Increase Return on Investment
Monday February 26, 2018
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SLTT Ability to Respond to Large Scale Biological Events: Challenges and Solutions
Wednesday January 17, 2018
Miami, FL

This meeting provided State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) governments, as well as federal and academic representatives, the opportunity to discuss their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to SLTT response to large-scale biological events.

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Testimony to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Wednesday December 13, 2017
Capitol Hill

Panel Co-Chair Joe Lieberman testified to the Senate's Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry full committee hearing entitled "Safeguarding American Agriculture in a Globalized World".

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National Biodefense Strategy: Implementation and Implications
Thursday November 2, 2017
Washington, DC

This meeting of the Study Panel addressed the implementation of the National Biodefense Strategy and its implications for the Office of Management and Budget, congressional authorization and appropriation, leadership, coordination, collaboration, and innovation.

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Panel Report: Defense of Animal Agriculture
Wednesday October 18, 2017
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Attribution of Biological Crime, Terrorism, and Warfare: Challenges and Solutions
Tuesday October 3, 2017
Washington, DC

Effective prosecution and decisions regarding U.S. response depend on accurate attribution of biological attacks. Despite ongoing biological crimes and suspected development of biological weapons for the purpose of attacking the Nation, the United States has yet to establish this capability fully. The Study Panel hosted a special focus meeting entitled Attribution of Biological Crime, Terrorism, and Warfare: Challenges and Solutions.

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Presentation at Strategies for Effective Biological Detection Systems Workshop
Monday September 18, 2017
Washington, DC

Dr. Asha M. George presented on Biodetection Strategies within the Context of U.S. Biodefense Efforts. This National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine workshop explored alternative effective systems that would meet requirements for BioWatch as a biological detection system for aerosolized agents.

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Presentation at Public Health and Disasters Conference
September 10 - 13, 2017
Utah

Dr. Asha M. George was a Plenary speaker, addressing Public Health Leadership, Reform, and Responsibility for Defending the Nation against Biological Threats. This annual, multidisciplinary national conference brings together professionals from public health, health care, emergency management and other disciplines involved in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies. The conference focuses specifically on disasters impacting or within the public health system – rather than only focusing on public health, it includes the other key components of the system including emergency management, emergency medical services, health care, hospitals and the rest of the public health system.

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Podcast: Rob Bradley on Disaster Politics – Legislating Relief
Friday September 1, 2017

Robert Bradley, Policy Associate for the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense and former staffer for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, talks about various disaster relief programs, what they do, and how they are legislated.

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Fighting an Unseen Enemy: Reducing the Pandemic Threat to Global Security
Tuesday June 20, 2017
Washington, DC

The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense joined with the Bipartisan Policy Center and Johnson & Johnson for an evening discussing Unseen Enemy, a documentary about the increased threat of epidemics, and the important policy challenges facing our country and our global allies.

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Presentation to HHS/ASPR Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) Diagnostics Integrated Program Team
Monday May 15, 2017
Washhington DC

The Diagnostics Integrated Program Team invited Dr. Asha M. George to provide an assessment of preparedness with diagnostics for biological threats from the perspective of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense. This team is part of the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise of the Department of Health & Human Service's Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

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Podcast: Ellen Carlin on Disaster Politics – Biodefense and Healthcare
Wednesday May 10, 2017

Listen as Dr. Carlin discusses the broad continuum of biodefense and the work of groups like the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense and EcoHealth Alliance.

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Budget Reform for Biodefense: Leadership and Coordination
Monday May 1, 2017
Washington, DC

This meeting provided Panel Members with an understanding of and recommendations regarding leadership, interagency coordination, and risk challenges to biodefense budgeting.

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Bioterrorism, Pandemics, and Preparing for the Future: Perspectives of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense
Monday May 1, 2017
National Press Club

This special public affairs video featuring a discussion with Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense members on biological threats moderated by Max Brooks (scholar and author of World War Z)

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Interview of Panel Co-Directors at 2017 Preparedness Summit
Thursday April 27, 2017
Atlanta, GA

Dr. Ellen Carlin and Dr. Asha George are Co-Directors for the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, a comprehensive assessment of the state of US biodefense efforts. Dr. Carlin and Dr. George discuss the 33 steps the government can take to mitigate the threats, and improve the nation's biodefense capabilities.

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Preparedness Summit 2017
Tuesday April 25, 2017
Atlanta, GA

Fitting for the 2017 Preparedness Summit's theme of looking towards the future, the first plenary session served as an important jumping-off point informing the critical steps we must take to drive national resilience and recovery forward. Co-chairs for the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, former Senator Joseph Lieberman and former Governor and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Thomas Ridge, were the keynote presenters for this session, discussing strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities related to biological and chemical threat awareness, prevention and protection, surveillance and detection, and response and recovery.

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Agrodefense: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday January 26, 2017
Manhattan, KS

Provide the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense with an understanding of agricultural threats, as well as requirements for effective prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation of agricultural threats that can inflict catastrophic consequences. Provide non-federal government, industry, and academic representatives with the opportunity to discuss their agrodefense experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions. Address key issues and questions concerning the current state of biodefense and the extent to which it includes agrodefense.

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Kansas State University Biosecurity Research Institute
Wednesday January 25, 2017
Manhattan, KS

Panel members were offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kansas State University's Biosecurity Research Institute. Panel members were also able to see the progress of the biosafety level-4 labortaory under construction. Later that day, KSU President Richard Myers hosted Panel members and guests to dinner overlooking the KSU Bill Synder Family stadium.

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Participation at State Department event regarding challenges and opportunities in global health security
Wednesday December 14, 2016

One day after releasing a new report, Biodefense Indicators – One Year Later, Events Outpacing Federal Efforts to Defend the Nation, Senator Joe Lieberman and Governor Tom Ridge, co-chairs of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, participated in the State Department's event entitled, Advancing the Global Health Security Agenda: Achievements and Next Steps Toward a World Safe and Secure From Infectious Disease Threats."

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Panel Report: Biodefense Indicators – One Year Later, Events Outpacing Federal Efforts to Defend the Nation
Tuesday December 13, 2016

The Study Panel's progress report reviews the status of implementation of each recommendation from the Blueprint for Biodefense as of December 2016.

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Presentation to the Bipartisan Policy Center event America’s Food Supply, Health, and Economy at Risk
Thursday October 13, 2016
Washington, DC

Dr. Asha George remarks addressed the current bio/agrodefense landscape.

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Presentation to BIO Stakeholders
Friday September 30, 2016
Washington DC

Dr. Asha M. George presented an overview of biodefense and the work of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense to the Stakeholders of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization - BIO.

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Presentation to Congressional Briefing, U.S. House of Representatives, Public-Private Partnerships and Biodefense and Pandemic Preparedness
Wednesday September 14, 2016
Washington, DC

As part of an expert panel, Dr. Asha M. George, discussed with Members of Congress and congressional staff the current state of biodefense and pandemic preparedness in the U.S. and explained why public-private partnerships remain critical strategies for addressing national security threats. Dr, George presented the views of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on the Roles of the Public, Academia, and Industry.

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Presentation at International Center for Terrorism Studies at Potomac Institute for Policy Studies event “Latin American Security Challenges: From the Olympics to Zika”
Thursday June 23, 2016

Dr. Asha George presented the views of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense on Mass Gatherings and Infectious Diseases.

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Presentation at 14th Annual Vaccines & Therapeutics Summit: Biodefense, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Emerging Infectious Disease
Wednesday May 18, 2016
Washington, DC

Dr. Ellen Carlin, Co-Director of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, discussed the Panel's recent report which says the US is not prepared to deal with a biological event. How will funding be reinvigorated? How will public-private partnerships transform?

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Panel Report: Impact of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense
Sunday May 1, 2016

An overview report of the impact of the Study Panel's recommendations on the public, Congress and Administration as of Spring 2016.

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Presentation at Institute of Medicine Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events 2016
February 25 - 26, 2016
Washington DC

Dr. Asha M. George was invited to present a status report on the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense.

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Testimony to House Committee on Energy & Commerce
Friday February 12, 2016
Capitol Hill

Dr. Donna Shalala and Representative James Greenwood served as witnesses on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce holds hearing, "Outbreaks, Attacks, and Accidents: Combating Biological Threats".

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Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies event, International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism: Review of 2015 and outlook for 2016
Monday February 8, 2016
Washington, DC

The international community faced two major categories of security challenges in 2015. The first stems from “natural disasters” (e.g. infectious disease epidemics) and the second consists of “man-made threats” (e.g. radicalization and violence). The purpose of ICTS' 18th annual security event was to focus on past lessons of international cooperation in combating human calamities and extremist actors as well as to assess the prospects for regional and global multilateral policies and actions in 2016. Panel Co-Chairs Governor Tom Ridge and Senator Joe Lieberman discussed the Panel's objectives and recommendations.

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Presentation at Institute of Medicine workshop, The Nation’s Medicial Countermeasure Stockpile: Opportunities to Improve the Sustainability of the CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile
Friday February 5, 2016

Dr. Ellen Carlin, Co-Director of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, served as a Panelist at The National Academy of Medicine's two-day workshop entitled The Nation's Medical Countermeasure Stockpile: Opportunities to Improve the Sustainability of the CDC Strategic National Stockpile.

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Testimony to House Committee on Armed Services
Wednesday February 3, 2016
Capitol Hill

The subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the House Committee on Armed Services held a hearing entitled, "Outside Views on Biodefense for the Department of Defense" and Panel member Honorable Kenneth Wainstein and Panel exofficio member Dr. Gerald Parker served as witnesses.

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Meeting with Vice President Joe Biden
Wednesday December 16, 2015
White House

On December 16, 2015, Senator Joe Lieberman and Governor Tom Ridge, Panel Co-Chairs, and Senator Ron Johnson and Senator Tom Carper, then Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, met with then Vice President Joe Biden at the White House. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the findings and recommendations of the Panel, released previously in October 2015 in its National Blueprint for Biodefense, including the Panel’s first recommendation, for the Vice President to take charge of the nation’s biodefense enterprise. Vice President Biden assured all present that the White House took the biological threat – and the Panel’s report – seriously.

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Testimony to House Committee on Homeland Security
Tuesday November 3, 2015
Capitol Hill

The House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, "Defending Against Terrorism: How Vulnerable is America?," focused on the findings of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense’s recently released Bipartisan Report. Panel’s Co-Chairs Senator Lieberman and Governor Ridge updated Committee Members on the Panel’s work and the state of U.S. biodefense leadership and programs, including recommendations for improving our national defense against biological threats.

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Panel Report: A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform Needed To Optimize Efforts
Wednesday October 28, 2015
Washington, DC

The Panel held a press release to launch its first report, A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform Needed To Optimize Efforts.

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Testimony to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Wednesday October 28, 2015
Capitol Hill

Senator Lieberman and Governor Ridge served as the witnesses for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' hearing, "Assessing the State of Our Nation's Biodefense".

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Presentation at the 13th Annual Vaccines + Therapeutics Summit 2015
Tuesday June 2, 2015
Washington, DC

Dr. Asha M. George, Co-Director of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, was a featured speaker addressing Congressional Perspectives on Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease Policy.

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Response & Recovery
Wednesday April 1, 2015
Washington, DC

This meeting provided the Panel members with an understanding of the biodefense requirements for effective preparedness, response and recovery from biological threats that can inflict potentially catastrophic consequences.

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Satellite Meeting hosted NYC Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene
Thursday March 12, 2015

In March 2015, the NYC DOHMH remotely convened a meeting of its Directly Funded City partners (Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Chicago) to discuss their unique biopreparedness challenges along with recommended solutions in the areas of preparedness funding, dispensing of medical countermeasures, and planning for a BioWatch Actionable Result.

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Surveillance & Detection
Thursday March 12, 2015

Panel members were provided with an understanding of the biodefense requirements for effective surveillance and detection of biological threats that can inflict potentially catastrophic consequences. Representatives of the surveillance and detection arena were able to discuss their biodefense experience and challenges with the panelists.

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Satellite Meeting hosted by MESH
Monday March 9, 2015

On March 9, 2015, MESH Coalition invited partners from Central Indiana and five states to participate in a roundtable discussion on the state of hospital preparedness. The focus of the discussion was on current funding challenges, reimbursement models and measuring community resilience.

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Presentation at Institute of Medicine Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events 2015
Tuesday February 24, 2015
Washington DC

Dr. Asha M. George was invited to present an overview of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense.

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Satellite Meeting hosted by Texas A&M Health Science Center
Tuesday February 24, 2015

On February 24, 2015, the Texas A&M Health Science Center, along with partners at the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases and The Bush School of Government and Public Service, convened a half-day roundtable to address the human-animal interface. Science and policy experts, including state and federal government, former federal government, and academia provided input regarding challenges in zoonotic disease, from surveillance to countermeasures.

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Satellite Meeting hosted by Alliance for Biosecurity
Thursday February 19, 2015

On February 19, 2015, the Alliance for Biosecurity, a DC-based industry coalition, convened both member and non-member companies for a full day to discuss challenges in medical countermeasure development and to provide solutions for improving the public-private partnership in this area.

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Prevention & Protection
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Washington, DC

Speakers presented Panel Members with perspectives on the status and effectiveness of biological threat prevention and protection efforts. Topics included biological arms control, cooperative threat reduction, biosecurity, vaccination, and Ebola and pandemic influenza response.

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Threat Awareness
Thursday December 4, 2014
Washington, DC

This first meeting of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense served to provide the Panel members with a holistic view of the potential risks and opportunities to address vulnerabilities posed by biological threats that can inflict potentially catastrophic consequences.

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Breakfast with Governor Tom Ridge
Monday November 17, 2014
Washington, DC

Governor Ridge provided his vision for the Study Panel and how the Panelists and their recommendations could impact policy -making in the 114th Congress and the next Presidential Administration.

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