White House Releases New U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research 

Today, the Administration released the U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 14292 on "Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research." 

This new government-wide policy defines areas of life sciences research that pose the greatest risk to our nation's security, implements federal funding prohibitions, and establishes a framework for addressing risk and ensuring compliance. In addition to banning federal support for dangerous gain-of-function research, the policy introduces enhanced review and reporting requirements for all life sciences research, including independent, top-down assessments for projects that may increase the harmful consequences of biological agents, and introduces new restrictions for research conducted outside of the United States.

As NIH implements this policy for the science it supports, we will work closely with the research community to reinforce the shared responsibility of every scientist to thoughtfully evaluate the potential benefits and risks of every experiment and ensure that biomedical research advances safely, responsibly, and in service of the American people. 

For more information on NIH’s implementation of the Policy, please see a statement issued today by NIH Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, as well as a notice NIH has published in its Guide to Grants and Contracts.

Webinar Agenda Overview

✔ Overview of the federal policy announcement and its key provisions

✔ Questions and themes raised during the August 11 BSAA Brown Bag

✔ COGR-identified issues and institutional concerns

✔ Practical implications for biosafety and research oversight programs

✔ Live question-and-answer session

Who Should Attend

1. Biosafety Officers and Biosafety Professionals
2. IBC Administrators and Members
3. Research Compliance Professionals
4. Anyone responsible for reviewing, managing, or overseeing potentially high-risk life sciences research

Why Attend

✔ Better understand the new federal policy and its potential institutional impact

✔ Hear responses to questions raised by biosafety professionals during the Brown Bag

✔ Examine COGR concerns and implementation issues

✔ Consider practical next steps for institutional review and oversight

✔ Ask questions and learn from experienced biosafety professionals

Key Takeaway

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the policy announcement, the questions and concerns it has generated, and the issues institutions should begin considering as implementation moves forward.

Guest Speaker

Michael Betteken, PhD, CPBCA, Compliance Manager, IBC, ESCRO, DURC, Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, Cornell University

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.