11th IBP Conference

11th IBP BIOSAFETY CONFERENCE

09 & 10 September 2025
Siena, Italy

PROGRAMME (link)

Iscrizione / Registration (link)

SPEAKERS

Submit a POSTER (link)

SOCIAL EVENT

SPONSORSHIP

PROGRAMMA
cliccare QUI per visionare e scaricare il programma in pdf
click HERE to view and download the program in pdf

We look forward to meeting you in Siena

SPEAKERs

Heidi AUERSWALD

Heidi Auerswald is a virologist and biosafety expert with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. She leads the optimization of the Biosafety Management System at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise and contributes to virological research on zoonotic diseases. Previously based in Southeast Asia, she supported national laboratory systems, surveillance programs, and biosafety capacity building across the region. Heidi is also a co-founder of the Women for One Health network, where she mentors early-career professionals and promotes inclusive leadership in global health.

Adriana CASTILLO CABALLERO

Adriana Castillo earned her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2015 and a Master's degree in Biotechnology in 2019, both from the University of Havana, Cuba. Early in her career, she began working with viruses as a Junior Research Scientist at the Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM) in Havana, where she focused on protein engineering and viral vector design. She later worked as Biotechnologist at CIM, developing stable cell lines and high-yield expression technologies using lentiviral vectors for monoclonal antibody and recombinant proteins expression. In March 2019, Adriana joined EMBL Rome, first as Technical officer and since January 2024 in the role of Lead Technician of Virus Production at the recently new Gene Editing and Virus Facility.

Zulfikar DAYA

Andrea Massimo GIUSTI

Andrea Giusti is a mechanical engineering with >30 years of practical experience in design and construction. His job experience embraces conceptual, basic and detail design of MEP systems for Pharmaceutical, Aerospace Industry and Electronic facilities, mission-critical MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems with meticulous planning, redundancy, and specialized technologies to minimize downtime and maintain critical functions. He has provided professional services for main companies such as Healthea Group, LabioTre, LABOMAR, Biochemie, Dompè, Eli Lilly, Inso, Menarini Group, Novartis, Fufarma, TwoBee, Eudinamis, Stabilimento Chimico Farmaceutico Militare, IZSVe, IZSUM

Carole HARFOUCHE

Senior Consultant with PhD degree in Molecular Biology and Post doc in preclinical studies of bacterial vaccines. From 2006, she has several experiences in vaccine manufacturing in international companies. Since 2016, she managed the Biosafety and Biosecurity management programme in vaccines RD, QC, manufacturing and animal facilities. Internationally certified in Biosafety risk management, facilities management and maintenance. She Supported green field projects and BSL facilities revamping from basic design till commissioning. Member of IFBA and IBP platform for biorisk management. Lead auditor for ISO, expert in L2 L3 and L4, risk assessment, microbial contamination in GMP operations. Certified as industrial hygienist, with experience in project management. Safety trainer with communication skills, fascinated by work team and shopfloor involvement. Milestones and objective oriented, passionate by innovation, technologies and process simplification. Able to work in cross-functional environment. Professionally write and speak Arabic, French, English and Italian.

Cláudio MAFRA

Cláudio Mafra is an internationally recognized expert in biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense. He is the President of the Brazilian Society for Biosafety and Biosecurity (SB3), a retired Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Federal University of Viçosa, and a global mentor for the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA). Prof. Mafra provides strategic consulting for international organizations, including the Organization of American States (OAS), Intenational Genome Machine (iGEM), Grand Challenges Canada, and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), among other, contributing to the development of national and institutional policies in Latin America and beyond. He is currently involved in a wide range of activities, including high-level training for professionals working in high-containment laboratories, policy development for international agencies, capacity building in low- and middle-income countries, and the promotion and translation of key biosafety and biosecurity guidance worldwide.

Alessandro MANENTI

Ivana MILONE

Ivana Milone is a Civil Engineer with over 9 years of experience working exclusively in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) roles within pharmaceutical and research settings. Currently, Ivana Milone is the Head of HSE at Human Technopole, one of Italy’s most innovative research institutions. She’s specialized in developing and implementing comprehensive safety management systems, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance programs, with a strong focus on biosafety in laboratories and research environments. Ivana’s role involves close collaboration with scientific teams, leadership, and external partners to foster a culture of safety and environmental responsibility. Prior to joining Human Technopole, She gained extensive experience in pharmaceutical companies (Bristol-Myers Squibb, BSP), managing incident investigations, industrial hygiene, contractor oversight, and safety culture improvements aligned with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.

Luis Alberto OCHOA CARRERA

Mr. Ochoa currently serves as the High-Containment Lab/Pandemic Safety Manager for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at Michigan State University. From October 2019 to June 2021, he worked as the Director of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Research Laboratory Network of the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS) and from March 2013 to October 2019 he served as BSL-3 Lab Coordinator at the National Reference Laboratory in Mexico. Prior to his current position, he received a Master´s Degree in Public Health Management focused on Biological Risk Management and another in Risk Management. He is the former President of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA-International) and has served as the Chair of the Publications Committee, member of the International Engagement Committee, member of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Working Group, and international editor for Applied Biosafety Journal. As one of the eighteen founding members and past President of the AMEXBIO, he has strengthened the network between biosafety professionals in the region and helped to create strategic alliances with international and national institutions. Additionally, Mr. Ochoa has served as a mentor of different mentoring programs for Sandia National Laboratories, the Next Generation Global Health Security Network, and the IFBA Mentorship Program. In addition, Mr. Ochoa serves as Senior Advisor for the Global Health Security Fund, member of the IFBA Board of Directors, and is a Certified Biosafety Professional from IFBA in six disciplines: Biorisk Management, Biological Risk Assessment, Biosecurity, Biocontainment Facility Design, Operations and & Maintenance, Cyberbiosecurity, and Biosafety Cabinet Selection, Installation and Safe Use.

Jorge PEREZ BRUZON

Partner-consultant, Lab Safety Consulting, SL Jorge has over 25 years of experience in the field of biosafety and occupational risk prevention. He held positions in various institutions as a biosafety specialist first and then as head of the biosafety and prevention service. He holds professional certification from the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) in biological risk management and in the selection, installation, and use of biosafety cabinets and the design and maintenance of facilities. As a consultant, he carries out tasks such as organizing and delivering training in biosafety and prevention, advising on the design and operation of facilities, and collaborating in the legalization of activities and facilities with biological agents and GMOs. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Biosafety Association (AEBioS) and the European Biosafety Association (EBSA). He currently collaborates with both as a member of working groups. He is a member of several working groups and coordinator of one of them in subcommittee 4 on biosafety of Technical Standardization Committee 171 of the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE).

Leyma P. DE HARO

Dr. Leyma P. De Haro received a B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles, and holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of New Mexico. She is a Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) certified by ABSA International. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships, including one at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. De Haro worked at Sandia National Laboratories on the internationally recognized Global Chemical and Biological Security Team, where she specialized in biosafety and biosecurity at a global scale. She is a senior scientist at Merrick & Co. With over 15 years of postdoctoral experience, Dr. De Haro has helped laboratories and organizations worldwide enhance their biosafety and biosecurity frameworks. Her interdisciplinary background in scientific research, biosafety, and global health security enables her to navigate the complex safety challenges facing life science institutions today. A leading expert in the risk assessment of artificial intelligence applications in biotechnology, Dr. De Haro's work bridges emerging technologies and biological risk management. Her current efforts focus on integrating AI governance frameworks into biosafety and biosecurity protocols to address the rapidly evolving landscape of biotechnology. With a commitment to fostering a global culture of safety and responsibility, she supports the life sciences community in advancing innovation while mitigating risks to public health and security.

Raffaele PIERI

Raffaele Pieri is Life Science Segment Manager at Camfil Italy, a position he has held since 2012, after a long professional career within the company that began in 1998. With 27 years of experience, Raffaele Pieri is recognized as one of the leading experts in the field of air filtration, with a particular specialization in pharma and containment. For many years, he has also been sharing his technical and regulatory expertise through a dedicated training program for customers, becoming a key reference point for professionals working in critical and contamination-controlled environments

Paolo ROSSIN

Peter RUITER

Vice President Filtration Technology for the company AAF, Filter Division of Daikin Group. Based in the Netherlands Ing Peter Ruiter is an expert in Filtration Technology and applications having more than 30 years’ experience in this sector.

Riccardo RUSSO

Dr. Russo has several years of experience in research, Biosafety, and business management. Dr. Russo has managed and directed the Operations of the BSL2 and BSL3 Facilities of the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA, for nearly 10 years. A variety of pathogens, including Select Agents, are used in these laboratories. For several years he also directed the Antimicrobial Screening Core Laboratory at Rutgers University. One of Dr. Russo's major interests is to integrate his scientific and business backgrounds to improve business operations and scientific activities by helping to integrate the scientific groups with the various business divisions toward a synchronized strategic business plan. Dr. Russo holds a Ph.D from the University of Florida, an MBA from Auburn University, and a Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certificate from Rutgers University.

Maria SAPONARI

Dr. Saponari started her research in plant pathology by focusing on the detection and characterization of olive and citrus-infecting viruses, she contributed to extend the knowledge on the viruses causing diseases on these Mediterranean crops, to develop protocols for virus detection and for sanitation. During the past 10 years, she extended her scientific interest to the development of several research programs on Xylella fastidiosa, at national and European level. She contributed to the first report of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe; to define the genetic relatedness of the Apulian strain to X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca and to identify the first ascertained vector of X. fastidiosa in Italy (Philaenus spumarius). She contributed to fulfill the kock’s postulates on X. fastidiosa and the olive quick decline disease, and to obtain the first complete genome of the EU strain of X. fastidiosa. She is currently contributing to one of the national olive breeding program for resistance to X. fastidiosa and coordinating two relevant national projects OMIBREED and REACH-XY, both including innovative and multidisciplinary approaches.

Gijsbert VAN WILLIGEN

Gijsbert van Willigen is the biosrisk management professional of the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands and since 2020 at the Netherlands Center for the Clinical advancement of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies (NecstGen). As a biosafety officer he has been admitted by the Dutch authorities for several containment levels up to (A)BSL3. His field of expertise include biosafety and biosecurity in diagnostic and research laboratories and animal experiments in high containment facilities ((A)BLS3). He is a renowned expert in the use of genetically modified organism in a clinical setting (gene therapy). He has been involved the construction of several BSL3 facilities in the Netherlands and in the construction of a new GMP-facility for NecstGen. He is currently involved as a biosafety expert the design and building process of a facility for controlled human infection models for InFECT-NL. Over the years he was part of many national and international committees on biosafety and biosecurity, dual-use research and gene therapy. Furthermore, he was a speaker at several national and international conferences and trainer. Between 2014-2018 he was member of the council of the European Biosafety Association; President of EBSA in 2016-2017.

Dionysis VOURTSIS

Dionysis Vourtsis is a Biorisk Management advisor and Licensed Biosafety Officer by RIVM/VSP/Bureau GGO in the Netherlands, for BSL1-3 laboratories and GMOs. Since 2016 he is passionate about promoting Biosafety and Biosecurity internationally. He is President of the Hellenic Biosafety Society (HBS), and Communications & Project Officer, Certification Examination proctor and Global Mentor of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA). He is a Biomedical laboratory scientist with 30 years of work experience within the fields of Clinical Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Hematology, holds a MSc Degree in Bioeconomy: Biotechnology & Law, he is a Ph.D. Candidate with a research project about a Biorisk management system using a risk-based approach, and IFBA certified in Biorisk Management, Biological Risk Assessment, Biocontainment, Biosafety Cabinets, Biosecurity, Biological Waste Management, and Cyber-biosecurity.

Stefan WAGENER

Dr. Stefan Wagener, a leading international expert in biosafety, biosecurity, bioethics, and biorisk management, has significantly contributed to the field over his 30-year career. With a Ph.D. in Microbiology, he managed Level 4 laboratories, holding executive positions in the Canadian government. Stefan Wagener chaired workshops that developed the first international biorisk management standard, later becoming ISO 35001:2019. As the founder of BRMI, he provides global training and consulting services. Recognized as the originator of the “biorisk management” concept, he has received notable awards for his work. As an internationally recognized speaker, trainer, executive coach, and ISO auditor, he assists laboratories worldwide in implementing biorisk management systems. As the incoming executive director in 2026, he will provide strategic direction and leadership for IFBA.

POSTER

Conferenza 2025!
Presenta i risultati della tua attività, inviando un abstract ad IBP ed esponendo poi il tuo poster alla conferenza, condividendone i contenuti con gli altri partecipanti.

In questo evento è istituita una sessione di Poster in cui gli autori possono presentare il loro operato.
Sarà premiato il miglior poster.

Argomenti dei poster. Quanto attinente alle tematiche di biosafety, biosecurity e bicontenimento. Come traccia, anche se non limitante, si riconosco i seguenti:

- biocidi

- patogeni emergenti e riemergenti

- buone pratiche di laboratorio microbiologico

- legislazione

- microrganismi geneticamente modificati e organismi geneticamente modificati

- sperimentazione in-vivo

- dual use research of concerns

- clinical trials e terapia genica

- trasporto materiali infettivi

- analisi del rischio biologico

- training del personale

- soluzioni tecniche di mitigazione del rischio biologico

- e tanto altro attinente

Note:

l'abstract del poster (in formato pdf) può essere presentato fino al 20 Agosto 2025,

- compilando direttamente il Form sotto, oppure

- inviando file .pdf all'indirizzo email di IBP ibpwww@gmail.com

agli autori sarà data conferma della accettazione del poster entro pochi giorni dalla sottomissione e comunque entro il 25 Agosto 2025
lingua del poster: inglese
dimensioni poster: 120 x 90 cm

Conference 2025!

Share the results of your work by submitting an abstract to IBP and then exhibiting your poster at the conference, sharing its contents with other participants.

A Poster session is established at this event where authors can present their work.

Poster topics. How much pertaining to the topics of biosafety, biosecurity and bi-containment. As an outline, though not limiting, the following are recognized:

- biocides

- emerging and re-emerging pathogens

- good microbiological laboratory practices

- legislation

- genetically modified microorganisms and genetically modified organisms

- in-vivo experimentation

- dual use research of concerns

- clinical trials and gene therapy

- transport of infectious materials

- biohazard analysis

- staff training

- technical solutions for biohazard mitigation

- and much more pertinent

Notes:

the poster abstract (in pdf format) can be submitted until August 20, 2025, by:

- filling out directly the Form below, or

- sending a .pdf file to IBP's email ibpwww@gmail.com

authors will receive confirmation of poster acceptance within a few days of submission and in any case by August 25, 2025
poster language: English
poster size: 120 x 90 cm

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Venue of the Conference
la Conferenza si terrà all'interno del Complesso

Auditorium
Via Petriccio e Belriguardo, 35
Siena, Italy

ISCRIZIONE / REGISTRATION

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Come ad ogni iniziativa fatta sotto il nome della "Italian Biosafety Platform" la partecipazione alla conferenza è gratuita.

Iscrizioni tramite scheda presente più in basso in questa stessa pagina.

Il termine di chiusura delle iscrizioni è fissato per il 25 Agosto 2025

Il nostro obiettivo principale è quello di creare condizioni per favorire la condivisione delle esperienze e la diffusione della conoscenza delle tematiche specialistiche di Biosafety, con lo scopo di far crescere la competenza delle persone. Per tali motivi IBP realizza sempre eventi verso i quali la partecipazione non ha costi di iscrizione.

Ciò è permesso, con assoluta importanza, dalla gentile disponibilità dei relatori e dal supporto di sponsor/esibitori.

Chiediamo solo la costanza, a coloro che si iscriveranno alla Conferenza, di dar seguito alla iscrizione prendendo parte all’evento e di comunicare cortesemente ogni eventuale variazione relativa alla iscrizione effettuata.

Unico elemento per cui è richiesto il pagamento da parte del partecipante è la cena della conferenza che siterà la sera del giorno 09 Settembre. Coloro che desiderano partecipare dovranno provvedere al versamento della quota prevista (50 euro)

As with every initiative made under the name of the "Italian Biosafety Platform," participation in the conference is free-of-charge.

Registration via form found further down this same page.

The closing date for registration is August 25, 2025.

Our main goal is to create conditions to foster experience sharing and knowledge dissemination on specialized Biosafety issues, with the aim of growing people's competence. For these reasons IBP always organizes events towards which participation has no registration fee.

This is enabled, with absolute importance, by the kind availability of speakers and the support of sponsors/exhibitors.

We only ask for constancy, from those who register for the Conference, to follow up on the registration by taking part in the event and to kindly communicate any changes related to the registration made.

The only item for which payment by the participant is required is the conference dinner, which will sit on the evening of Sept. 09. Those who wish to attend will need to make the expected fee payment (50 euros)

PER OGNI INFORMAZIONI SCRIVERE ALLA IBP

FOR INFO EMAIL TO
IBPWWW@GMAIL.COM

Nel caso in cui il modulo elettronico per l'iscrizione non funzionasse, è possibile scaricare questo editabile (QUI IL LINK PER IL DOWNLOAD DEL MODULO IN WORD EDITABILE), compilarlo ed inviarlo via email ad ibpwww@gmail.com

In case the electronic application form does not work, you can download this editable one (HERE'S THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE EDITABLE WORD FORM), fill it out and email it to ibpwww@gmail.com

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ATTIVITA' SOCIALE / SOCIAL ACTIVITY
Il giorno 09 Sett. a fine conferenza sono previste:

(ore 17:30) Visita guidata al "Siena Vaccine Science Centre" (adesione libera, evento gratuito)
(ore 20:15) Cena della Conferenza

Coloro che volessero aderire e partecipare sono pregati di indicarlo al momento dell’iscrizione alla conferenza (con la compilazione del modulo di registrazione).

La cena ha un costo di euro 50,00 a persona, da versare con pagamento elettronico o con bonifico bancario (le coordinate saranno fornite post-iscrizione).

On 09 Sept at the end of the conference are scheduled:

(5:30 p.m.) Guided tour of the "Siena Vaccine Science Centre"
(8:00 pm) Conference Dinner

Those who would like to join and participate are asked to indicate this when registering for the conference (by filling out the registration form).

The dinner costs 50.00 euros per person, payable by electronic payment or bank transfer (details will be provided post-registration)

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SOSTENITORI DELLA CONFERENZA

CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP

Gli sponsor che volessero contribuire alla iniziativa sono assolutamente benvenuti!

Contattate IBP (ibpwww@gmail.com) per informazioni ed opportunità di supportare la Conferenza

(Vi invieremo il form di adesione con i pacchetti di supporto previsti)

Sponsors who would like to contribute to the initiative are absolutely welcome!

Contact IBP (ibpwww@gmail.com) for information and opportunities to support the Conference

(We will send you the sponsorship form with the planned support packages)

con il supporto di / with the kind support of

Conference Gold Sponsor:

Suncombe 2020 Shell - Name - Tagline.png

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsor:

TRASPORTI PUBBLICI PER RAGGIUNGERE SIENA

Per coloro che arriveranno VIA FIRENZE:

(…se raggiungerete Firenze tramite aereo, dall’Aeroporto di Firenze Peretola raggiungere la Stazione Ferroviaria di Santa Maria Novella...)

Con Treno. Dalla Stazione Ferroviaria di Santa Maria Novella, tramite treno regionale per Siena. Usualmente la partenza dei treni per Siena avviene dal binario n°1 al binario n°4, ai 10’ di ogni ora. Il costo del biglietto è di circa 9 euro (acaqusitabile in loco alle self-ticket machine).

I principali treni per Siena partono ai seguenti orari: 7.00*, 7.28*, 8.10, 8.28*, 9.10, 10.10, 11,10, 11.28*, 12.10, 12.18*, 13.10, 13.28*, 14.10, 14.28*, 15.10, 15.28*, 16.10, 16.28*, 17.10, 17.28*, 18.10, 18.28*, 19.10, 19.28*, 20.10, 20.28*, 21.28*

*non diretto, con cambio ad Empoli

Con Autobus. A 50 metri dall’uscita della Stazione di Santa Maria Novella è presente l’Autostazione degli Autobus extraurbani. Il mezzo per Siena ha numero identificativo 131R “Siena Rapida”; il costo del biglietto è di circa euro 8,00 acquistabile in Autostazione.

I principali autobus per Siena partono ai seguenti orari: 6.30, 6.45, 7.00, 7.15, 7.45, 8.10, 8.50, 9.10, 10.10, 10.30, 11.10, 12.10, 13.30, 14.10, 14.40, 15.10, 15.40, 16.10, 17.00, 17.10, 17.30, 18.10, 19.10, 20.15

Per coloro che arriveranno VIA GROSSETO:

Con Autobus. Dalla Piazza della Stazione partono Autobus per Siena usualmente con destinazione P.zza Gramsci. Il costo del biglietto è di circa euro 8,00.

I principali autobus per Siena partono ai seguenti orari: 6.05, 6.40, 6.50, 7.00, 7.50, 8.45, 9.45, 11.45, 13.45, 14.45, 15.45, 16.25, 19.20

Per coloro che arriveranno VIA CHIUSI:

Con Treno. Dalla Stazione Ferroviaria di Chiusi, tramite treno regionale per Siena. Il costo del biglietto è di circa euro 8,00. I principali treni per Siena partono ai seguenti orari: 7.07, 8.15, 9.14, 10.46, 12.20, 13.48, 15.10, 17.14, 18.40, 19.55, 21.51

Per coloro che arriveranno VIA PISA:

(…se raggiungerete Pisa tramite aereo, dall’Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci di Pisa raggiungere la Stazione Ferroviaria Centrale di Pisa...)

Con Treno. Dalla Stazione Ferroviaria Centrale di Pisa, tramite treno regionale per Firenze, con cambio ad Empoli. Ad Empoli prendere poi treno per Siena. Usualmente la partenza dei treni da Empoli per Siena avviene ai 08’ e 40’ di ogni ora.

I principali treni da Pisa per Firenze, con scalo ad Empoli, partono ai seguenti orari: 7.01, 7.54, 8.32, 9.54, 10.54, 11.32, 11.54, 12.32, 12.54, 13.32, 13.54, 14.32, 14.54, 15.32, 15.55, 16.32, 16.55, 17.32, 17.55, 18.32, 18.53, 19.32, 19.55, 20.32, 21.32.

I principali treni da Empoli per Siena partono ai seguenti orari: 7.26, 8.06, 8.40, 9.08, 10.40, 11.40, 12.08, 12.40, 13.08, 13.40, 14.08, 14.40, 15.08, 15.40, 16.08, 16.40, 17.08, 17.40, 18.08, 18.40, 19.08, 19.40, 20.08, 20.40, 21.08, 22.08.

Da Milano, Bologna, Roma ed altre città sono inoltre presenti collegamenti con Siena tramite autobus low-cost a lunga percorrenza, quali il gruppo Baltur, Flexibus, ecc… consultare i siti web delle rispettive compagnie per info.