Looking Back. Looking Ahead. Shaping the Future of Biosafety.

Join the BSAA leadership and community for a dynamic kickoff webinar that reflects on a year of progress, highlights emerging trends across biosafety programs, and takes a first look at what’s coming next - both for BSAA and for biosafety oversight nationally.

BSAA is where biosafety professionals connect, learn, and lead

The Biosafety Administrators Association is a dynamic community dedicated to advancing excellence in biosafety and biological research compliance. We provide a trusted forum for collaboration, professional development, and practical problem-solving - helping members navigate changing regulations, strengthen institutional programs, and implement efficient, risk-based management practices. Whether you are new to biosafety or a seasoned leader, BSAA equips you with the knowledge, network, and confidence to succeed.

 

 

Agenda Highlights:

 

1. A Year in Review: What We Accomplished Together (2025)

A concise look back at BSAA’s 2025 activities, initiatives, and community engagement—what we delivered, what we learned, and how member input shaped the year.

2. The State of Biosafety Programs: 2025 Demographics Survey Insights

An overview of key findings from BSAA’s annual demographics survey, including:

1. Trends in program structure, staffing, and scope
2. Common challenges facing biosafety offices
3. Priority topics identified by the community for future training and discussion

3. What’s Next: 2026 Programming Preview

A preview of BSAA’s 2026 events and activities, directly informed by survey data, member feedback, and emerging hot topics across the biosafety landscape.

4. Modernizing Biosafety Oversight: What NIH Is Planning

An overview of NIH’s efforts to modernize the regulations governing institutional biosafety programs, what’s the plan, what’s driving it, and what it could mean for institutions.

5. The BSAA Voice: Community Response to NIH

A review and discussion of BSAA’s formal response to NIH, highlighting how member perspectives and real-world program experience informed BSAA’s comments and advocacy.

Why Attend?

Whether you’re looking to benchmark your program, understand where biosafety oversight is headed, or ensure your voice is represented in national conversations, this session sets the stage for the year ahead.

Who Should Attend?

This session is ideal for professionals who support, manage, or oversee biosafety programs, including biosafety administrators, research compliance staff, and institutional leaders. IBC administrators, biosafety officers, and committee members at all experience levels are encouraged to join and contribute to the discussion.

Support BSAA, and Invest in Your Program

The Biosafety Administrators Association (BSAA) is a member-supported professional community dedicated to advancing excellence in biosafety and research compliance. Membership and program participation directly sustain BSAA’s educational programming, peer-driven discussions, and practical resources that support biosafety administrators and Institutional Biosafety Programs nationwide.

By joining or renewing your membership, you not only support the vital work of BSAA - but you also gain immediate access to meaningful benefits, including complimentary webinars, discounted registration for virtual and in-person meetings, and resources designed to strengthen program effectiveness and professional growth at every career stage.

Support the work. Access the benefits. Strengthen your program.
Join or renew your membership today!

Standing BSAA Faculty

Bill Greer

Assistant Vice President for Research, University of Michigan

Bill Greer is a nationally recognized leader in research compliance with more than 35 years of experience spanning academia, industry, and nonprofit professional organizations. At the University of Michigan, he oversees institutional programs for animal care and use, biosafety, laboratory safety, controlled substances, and emerging autonomous systems.

Bill began his career in industry as a production manager and safety director at Intervet (formerly Tri Bio Laboratories) before transitioning to higher education, where he has held senior roles including Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at The Pennsylvania State University. He earned his degree in Microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University.

In 2005, Bill founded the Research Administrators’ Best Practice Meetings, creating a nationally respected forum for research oversight professionals to address real-world programmatic challenges. He continues to facilitate multiple Best Practice Meetings annually focused on biosafety and animal care and use programs.

Bill also chaired the founding committee of the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) in 2010 and continues to serve as its president and board chair. Since 2007, he has served as an ad hoc consultant to AAALAC International, conducting institutional program reviews and assessments. A frequent speaker and educator, Bill regularly presents at PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, C3, and BSAA-sponsored programs, supporting both IBC and IACUC administrative communities nationwide.

Jonah Lee, PhD

Senior Associate Director, University of Michigan

Dr. Jonah Lee brings deep scientific expertise and administrative leadership to biosafety and animal research oversight, with a strong focus on enhancing researcher experience while maintaining regulatory rigor. In his role at the University of Michigan, he provides thought leadership, program oversight, and process optimization across the Animal Care & Use Program.

Working closely with research administration and academic leadership, Dr. Lee leads the strategic development of research engagement infrastructure and institutional support resources. His background in biomedical sciences includes extensive research in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, with a focus on aging skeletal muscles.

Dr. Lee completed postdoctoral training at the Center for Muscle Biology at the University of Kentucky and has led federally funded research involving both small and large animal models across multiple departments. His combined experience as a scientist and administrator brings a practical, researcher-informed perspective to biosafety and compliance discussions.

Andrew Maksymowych, PhD

Associate Director, Biosafety Programs, University of Pennsylvania

Andrew Maksymowych has more than three decades of experience in research, teaching, and biosafety oversight. Since 2006, he has served at the University of Pennsylvania as Associate Director for Biological Safety Programs, Institutional Biosafety Officer, IBC Administrator, and Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research.

Andrew serves on multiple institutional advisory committees, including the Vice Provost for Research Human Research Advisory Committee, the Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, and the Cadaver and Body Parts Oversight Committee. He holds a B.S. and M.S. from Villanova University and a PhD in Biochemistry from Bryn Mawr College.

Prior to Penn, Andrew held a faculty appointment at Thomas Jefferson University, where his research focused on protein structure-function relationships, including neurotoxins affecting the human nervous system - most notably botulinum neurotoxins. An active BSAA contributor since attending his first Best Practice Meeting in 2015, Andrew remains deeply engaged in advancing biosafety education and professional collaboration.

Raymond F. Scheetz, MS, RBP

Institutional Biosafety Officer & Compliance Manager, Penn State College of Medicine

Ray Scheetz serves as Institutional Biosafety Officer and Compliance Manager at the Penn State College of Medicine within the Research Quality Assurance Office. He oversees all aspects of biosafety compliance, including protocol reviews, biosafety training, annual laboratory surveys, emergency response coordination, and equipment and asset management.

Ray is an active member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, Research Mission Team, and institutional research emergency task forces. In addition to his institutional role, he serves as a biosafety consultant for Clinical Biosafety Services (CBS) / Shield Consulting.

Previously, Ray spent 25 years as a Laboratory Manager in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Penn State College of Medicine, where he managed a BSL-3 facility and supported complex infectious disease research programs. His extensive operational experience provides a grounded, practical perspective on biosafety program implementation.

The Meeting Time is Eastern Time Zone.