Date and Time:  August 11, 2020 from 1:30 - 3:00PM Eastern Time

Program Agenda Discussion Points

1. Remote Biosafety Programs (10 minutes)
2. Remote Post Approval Monitoring/Quality Assurance Reviews (15 minutes)
3. Remote Laboratory Inspections (15 minutes)
4. Pandemic Restrictions:  Research Labs & Classroom Activities (20 minutes)
5. Discussions and Question/Answer Session (30 Minutes)

Program Description

The impact of the COVID pandemic forced institutions to employ regulatory flexibilities to ensure program oversight while satisfying the pandemic restrictions.  Institutions developed remote practices to conduct IBC meetings, inspect laboratories and conduct quality assurance reviews.  In addition, we plan to cover how to perform laboratory functions and hold classroom activities while maintaining for example appropriate “social distancing”.  A panel of speakers will highlight specific topics relating to practices that have been employed across the IBC community.  Speakers will provide brief presentations followed by attendees having the opportunity to participate in a questions and answers session.  The idea is to give attendees the opportunity to understand the employed practices, and identify and apply best practices that will help carry us through the pandemic. 

Speaker Biographies

Erin Czarniak

Erin Czarniak has been the Assistant Director of Quality Assurance in the Animal Care and Use Office (ACUO) since 2018. She joined the ACUO in 2016 as a Quality Assurance Specialist and played an integral part in the program’s development. She previously worked as a Controlled Substance Monitor for the U-M Office of Research from 2015-2016 where she launched the highly successful Controlled Substance Monitoring Program. From 2009-2015 she work for the U-M Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine where she gained husbandry and leadership experience. Czarniak has strong management and program development skills. She received her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in 2008 and has since completed the ALAT, LAT, LATg and CPIA certifications. 

Janet Follo MS, RBP

Ms. Follo manages the Research, Health and Safety program and is the Institutional Biosafety Officer at the University of Michigan. She has biosafety oversight of the university’s BSL3 facility and has previously held the position of Responsible Official for the university’s Select Agent Program.  She has experience in the design and verification of BSL3/ABSL3 labs, including a clinical BSL3 facility. Ms. Follo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology; and her graduate work includes a Masters of Industrial Health both from the University of Michigan.  She serves as a member of the University of Michigan Institutional Biosafety Committee and provides support and consultation to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. She is a Registered Biosafety Professional and a member of ABSA International and the Midwest Biosafety Area Network (MABioN) and is on the MABioN 2020 Symposium Planning Committee.   

Bill Greer, Assistant Vice President for Research, University of Michigan

Bill graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1985 with a degree in Microbiology.  He currently oversees the animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances and autonomous systems research compliance programs.  His previous roles included the Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at The Pennsylvania State University, and the production manager and safety director at Intervet, State College, PA (Formally Tri Bio Laboratories). Bill has overseen animal care and biosafety programs for over 30 years. 

In 2005, he organized and held the very first research administrators Best Practice Meeting, which establish a venue for research oversight professionals to informally meet and discuss programmatic concerns.  He continues to facilitate at least five annual Best Practice meetings covering both biosafety and animal care and use programs.  In 2010, he chaired the founding committee for the non-profit education based IACUC Administrators Association (IAA), and continues to serve as the organization’s president and chair of the board of directors.  Since 2007, Bill has served as ad hoc consultant to AAALAC Council where he performs institutional program reviews, assessments, and status determinations.  He served as a member of the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA).  Bill continues to serve as an educator for the IBC and IACUC Administrative communities and has lectures at multiple venues including PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, and C3, as well as facilitates IBC and IACUC Best Practice Meetings.

Crystal O'Donnell MS, CBSP, SM (NRCM)

Ms. O'Donnell is a EHS Specialist with the Biosafety program at the University of Michigan. Her primary role includes inspections, IBC reviews, training, and support for the research and clinical BSL3 laboratories. She has previous experience as a scientific researcher in biodefense with focus on assay development and research involving Tier I Select Agents. Ms. O'Donnell holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's of Science degree from Towson University with a concentration in Microbiology and Molecular biology. She serves as a member of the NSF International Biosafety Cabinet Joint Committee. She is a Certified Biosafety Professional and member of ABSA International and the Midwest Biosafety Area Network (MABioN).  

Raymond F. Scheetz MS, RBP

Ray is currently the Institutional Biosafety Officer/Compliance Specialist at The Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa, located in the Research Quality Assurance office a division of the College of Medicine Office of Research Affairs.

Responsibilities include the oversight of all Biosafety aspects within the College of Medicine including compliance, IBC and IACUC protocol review, IRB ancillary review, training, annual lab surveys, Administration liaison for research lab activities and emergencies, and oversight of the equipment management plan.

Formally the Lab Manager in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Penn State College of Medicine for 25 years.  Responsibilities included the Management of the BL3 facility located within the Department.