Join the Biological Safety Administrators Association (BSAA) for a timely and important discussion on recent updates from the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) aimed at enhancing transparency in the oversight of research subject to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

1. This session will walk participants through the most recent announcements from NIH, including:

1. NOT-OD-25-082 – Reinforcing Expectations Regarding Transparency in Oversight of Research Subject to the NIH Guidelines
2. Updates to NIH’s FAQs on IBC Meetings and Minutes
3. NIH’s new IBC Meeting Minutes Template and Points to Consider
4. Public posting requirements for IBC meeting minutes beginning June 1, 2025
5. Public access to IBC rosters via the IBC-Registration Management System

    2.  This webinar will offer practical advice for institutions on implementing these changes, ensuring compliance, and preserving confidentiality where necessary.

     3.  Time will be reserved for participant Q&A.

Who Should Attend:
IBC administrators, biosafety officers, IBC chairs and members, research compliance staff, and institutional leaders involved in oversight of NIH Guidelines-covered research.

We look forward to an engaging discussion! For any questions, please contact Bill Greer.

3. Regulatory References:

a.  Promoting Maximal Transparency Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (Notice Number: NOT-OD-25-082 ) (2025)  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-082.html

b.  The NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) has posted the rosters of all active and registered IBCs via the IBC-Registration Management System. Rosters include contact information for the IBC Chair, Biological Safety Officer, and IBC Contact.

c.  NIH has revised its FAQs on IBC Meetings and Minutes and has also issued new guidance.

d.  NIH has also provided an IBC Meeting Minutes Template and Points to Consider, to assist IBCs in producing meeting minutes that document fulfillment of its oversight responsibilities. 

Program Support

Joining or renewing your membership with the BSAA provides valuable benefits, including exclusive program discounts and access to resources that enhance professional growth and organizational efficiency. Staying connected ensures continued opportunities to save on essential programs and services.

BSAA activities are funded through membership dues and event fees. We encourage you to join as a new member or renew your membership annually.

Membership is important!

Support the vital work of BSAA while unlocking exclusive benefits designed to enhance your professional growth. By becoming a member, you ensure our ability to continue providing top-tier professional development opportunities—not just for IBC administrators, but for anyone involved in their organization’s Institutional Biosafety Program.

As a member, you’ll enjoy free access to regular webinars throughout the year, discounted rates for online and in-person virtual meetings, and a host of resources to support your career and program management goals.

Don’t miss out please secure or renew your membership today.   

Join us in shaping the future of biosafety program compliance while reaping the rewards of BSAA membership!

Standing BSAA Faculty

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 oversees research compliance programs for animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances, and autonomous systems. Over his 35+ year career, Bill has held roles including Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at Penn State, as well as production manager and safety director at Intervet (formerly Tri Bio Laboratories).

In 2005, Bill organized the first Research Administrators Best Practice Meeting, creating a platform for research oversight professionals to discuss programmatic concerns. He continues to facilitate at least five annual Best Practice Meetings focused on biosafety and animal care and use programs. In 2010, he chaired the founding committee of the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and serves as its president and board chair.

Since 2007, Bill has been an ad hoc consultant to the AAALAC Council, conducting institutional program reviews and assessments. He also served on the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA). As an educator, Bill regularly lectures at conferences including PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, and C3, and facilitates IBC and IACUC Best Practice Meetings, continuing to support the IBC and IACUC administrative communities.

Jonah Lee, BS, MS, PhD, Senior Associate Director, University of Michigan

Dr. Lee brings experience and a proven track record in the biomedical sciences and academic research administration to provide thought leadership, program oversight, and process optimization with specific attention to researcher/user-experience coordination across the Animal Care & Use Program.

In collaboration with other U-M research administrative departments and academic department leadership, Dr. Lee is charged with the strategic development of research engagement infrastructure and resource support. Dr. Lee has an extensive background in the life sciences, where his research focus involves stem cell biology and regenerative medicine in aging skeletal muscle. Along with his postdoctoral research at the Center for Muscle Biology at the University of Kentucky, and his work at U-M, his animal research experience includes considerable diversity in both small and large animal models across multi-departmental, federally funded research projects. 

Andrew Maksymowych, Ph.D., Associate Director, Biosafety Programs

Andrew has been at the University of Pennsylvania since 2006.  He is Penn’s Associate Director for Biological Safety Programs, Penn’s Institutional Biosafety Officer, IBC Administrator, and the Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research.  He sits on the Vice Provost’s for Research, Human Research Advisory Committee, the Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, and the Cadaver and Body Parts Oversight Committee.  Andrew obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Villanova University, and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Bryn Mawr College.  He has more than 20 years of teaching and 35 years of research experience.  A major portion of which included oversight of research safety and compliance programs.  Prior to his journey at Penn, he held a faculty appointment at Thomas Jefferson University where his research focused on the analysis of structure-function relationships in proteins, including protein toxins that poison the human nervous system.  Most recently, the mechanism of action of botulinum neurotoxins.  Andrew attended his first Best Practice Meeting in 2015 and has since been continually involved with Biosafety Administrator’s Association.

Raymond F. Scheetz, MS, RBP

Ray is currently the Institutional Biosafety Officer and a Compliance Manager 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.  He is responsible for the oversight of all Biosafety compliance aspects within the College of Medicine, providing ancillary reviews of IACUC and IRB protocols, biosafety training and required annual lab surveys, administration liaison for research lab activities and emergencies, and operation of the equipment and asset management plan. He is a member of the College of Medicine Institutional Biosafety Committee, Research Mission team and COVID 19 Ramp up Research task force.  Ray also serves as a Biosafety consultant for CBS (Clinical Biosafety Services)/Shield Consulting.  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.

Amy currently serves as the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Animal Care & Use Program, Amy partners with key stakeholders and Program leadership to develop, implement, and maintain all strategic internal and external communication efforts in support of building and sustaining a culture of responsible research conduct at the University of Michigan.