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Biosecurity: Changing the Game

The Pandemic Center, Brown University School of Public Health

Host Dr. Dinah Nasike takes you on a journey through the complex and evolving world of biosecurity, featuring insightful conversations with leading professionals, field experts and innovators in the field. From emerging and re-emerging epidemics and early-warning systems research and innovation, to pathogen economies, bioterrorism and global norms. This podcast will take a deep dive into critical conversations happening around biosecurity and how countries, institutions, experts and politicians are strategically posturing themselves.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 37 min
  • English

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  • #21
    February 2 · 57 min

    Surveillance: An Essential Part of Disease Response and Prevention

    Dr. Dinah Nasike and her guest Dr. Issa Makumbi, an expert in public health and epidemiology who serves as the Deputy Director of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH), have an in-depth conversation on disease surveillance, and why it is so important for preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats.

  • #19
    Nov 26, 2025 · 33 min

    Communities on the Frontline – Strengthening Epidemic Preparedness & Response

    In this episode, Dr. Dinah Nasike sits down with Professor Judy Omumbo, a renowned public health expert and epidemiologist, to explore the vital role communities play in epidemic preparedness and response. From grassroots mobilization to trust-building and rapid response systems, Professor Omumbo offers insight into why communities are not just beneficiaries of health systems but critical partners in stopping outbreaks before they spread.

  • #18
    Nov 13, 2025 · 29 min

    Part II - Genomic Surveillance: A Biosecurity tool for deterrence, detection, and response to emerging threats

    In this second and final part of Biosecurity: Changing the Game's discussion of genomic surveillance, Dr. Dinah Nasike and guests from Ginkgo Bioworks - Joshua Griffin Dunn who is the Senior Director, Computational Biology and Head of Design; and Mitchell Wolfe who is the Vice President for Global Engagement and Governance at Ginkgo - explore one of the most powerful tools we have for preventing the next pandemic or bioterror event. "It’s a story about technology, intelligence, and trust — and how sequencing tiny bits of genetic code can help us detect threats early, attribute their origins, and even deter malicious actors."

  • #17
    Oct 30, 2025 · 31 min

    Genomic Surveillance: A Biosecurity tool for deterrence, detection, and response to emerging threats

    This episode of Biosecurity: Changing the Game is all about genomic surveillance — one of the most powerful tools we have for preventing the next pandemic or bioterror event. It’s a story about technology, intelligence, and trust — and how sequencing tiny bits of genetic code can help us detect threats early, attribute their origins, and even deter malicious actors. Dr. Dinah Nasike explores this topic with guests from Ginkgo Bioworks - Joshua Griffin Dunn who is the Senior Director, Computational Biology and Head of Design; and Mitchell Wolfe who is the Vice President for Global Engagement and Governance at Ginkgo.

  • #14
    Sep 18, 2025 · 58 min

    Japan's Secret Biological Weapons Research Program & Unit 731

    In this episode of Biosecurity: Changing the Game, Dr. Dinah Nasike presents a narrative of a case study on Unit 731 to wrap up the Biological Weapons Covention series. Unit 731 was a secret biological weapons research operation unit operated by the Imperial Japanese Army that was responsible for large-scale biological and chemical warfare research. Links for more information: The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #13
    Sep 4, 2025 · 41 min

    Part III - Germ-Wars, Treaties, and Global Trust: Demystifying the Biological Weapons Convention

    In the third and final part of this conversation, Dr. Dinah Nasike, Dr. Alex Kyabarongo (a veterinarian, former Political Affairs Intern at the Biological Weapons Convention, and currently a Masters of Biodefense Candidate at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University) and Sandra Matinyi (Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and the Executive Director of Nuo Bioscience, Uganda) conclude their discussion of the Biological Weapons Convention. Links for more information: ScienceDirect Siege of Caffa British Forces in North America Germany's Anthrax Horses Japan’s Unit 731 (1930s–1945) Rajneesh Cult and Salmonella What is dual-use research of concern? The German BW Program The Japanese BW Program The Soviet Biological Weapons Program and Its Legacy in Today’s Russia U.S. Biological Warfare and Biological Defense Programs The Impact of Biological Warfare in the Cold War Era - AMO 1925 Geneva Protocol – UNODA Nuo Bioscience The Youth for Biosecurity Initiative – UNODA Dual-Use Research | NIH Office of Intramural Research Mirror Life Science The BWC Confidence-Building Measures Revolutionizing the Biological Weapons Convention: Integrating Science Diplomacy for Global Security | Science & Diplomacy Implementation Support Unit – UNODA Biowarfare, bioterrorism and biocrime: A historical overview on microbial harmful applications - ScienceDirect Scythian Wars iGEM The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #12
    Aug 21, 2025 · 43 min

    Part II - Germ-Wars, Treaties, and Global Trust: Demystifying the Biological Weapons Convention

    In the second part of this conversation, Dr. Dinah Nasike, Dr. Alex Kyabarongo (a veterinarian, former Political Affairs Intern at the Biological Weapons Convention, and currently a Masters of Biodefense Candidate at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University) and Sandra Matinyi (Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and the Executive Director of Nuo Bioscience, Uganda) continue their discussion of the Biological Weapons Convention. Links for more information: ScienceDirect Siege of Caffa British Forces in North America Germany's Anthrax Horses Japan’s Unit 731 (1930s–1945) Rajneesh Cult and Salmonella What is dual-use research of concern? The German BW Program The Japanese BW Program The Soviet Biological Weapons Program and Its Legacy in Today’s Russia U.S. Biological Warfare and Biological Defense Programs The Impact of Biological Warfare in the Cold War Era - AMO 1925 Geneva Protocol – UNODA Nuo Bioscience The Youth for Biosecurity Initiative – UNODA Dual-Use Research | NIH Office of Intramural Research Mirror Life Science The BWC Confidence-Building Measures Revolutionizing the Biological Weapons Convention: Integrating Science Diplomacy for Global Security | Science & Diplomacy Implementation Support Unit – UNODA Biowarfare, bioterrorism and biocrime: A historical overview on microbial harmful applications - ScienceDirect Scythian Wars iGEM The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #11
    Aug 7, 2025 · 28 min

    Germ-Wars, Treaties, and Global Trust: Demystifying the Biological Weapons Convention

    In this episode, Dr. Dinah Nasike is joined by: Dr. Alex Kyabarongo, a veterinarian, former Political Affairs Intern at the Biological Weapons Convention, and currently a Masters of Biodefense Candidate at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University; and Sandra Matinyi, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and the Executive Director of Nuo Bioscience, Uganda. Together, they discuss the Biological Weapons Convention: what is it, why was it created and for whom, and how is it holding up in today's world of rapidly developing science and the escalating risk of epidemics? Links for more information: ScienceDirect Siege of Caffa British Forces in North America Germany's Anthrax Horses Japan’s Unit 731 (1930s–1945) Rajneesh Cult and Salmonella What is dual-use research of concern? The German BW Program The Japanese BW Program The Soviet Biological Weapons Program and Its Legacy in Today’s Russia U.S. Biological Warfare and Biological Defense Programs The Impact of Biological Warfare in the Cold War Era - AMO 1925 Geneva Protocol – UNODA Nuo Bioscience The Youth for Biosecurity Initiative – UNODA Dual-Use Research | NIH Office of Intramural Research Mirror Life Science The BWC Confidence-Building Measures Revolutionizing the Biological Weapons Convention: Integrating Science Diplomacy for Global Security | Science & Diplomacy Implementation Support Unit – UNODA Biowarfare, bioterrorism and biocrime: A historical overview on microbial harmful applications - ScienceDirect Scythian Wars iGEM The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #10
    Jul 24, 2025 · 32 min

    Part II - A Rising Tide: The Escalating Wave of Global Infectious Disease Outbreaks

    In part two of "A Rising Tide: The Escalating Wave of Global Infectious Disease Outbreaks," Dr. Dinah Nasike continues her discussion with biosecurity experts Beth Cameron and Wilmot James, both Senior Advisors to Brown University's Pandemic Center, and Peter Babigumira, a Senior Technical Advisor at Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute and an Epidemic Intelligence Analyst at the Uganda Ministry of Health. Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Africa CDC Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) The International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) Biosecurity Game Changers Fellowship Program The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #9
    Jul 10, 2025 · 33 min

    A Rising Tide: The Escalating Wave of Global Infectious Disease Outbreaks

    In this episode of Biosecurity: Changing the Game, "A Rising Tide: The Escalating Wave of Global Infectious Disease Outbreaks," Dr. Dinah Nasike is joined by biosecurity experts Beth Cameron and Wilmot James, both Senior Advisors to Brown University's Pandemic Center and Peter Babigumira, a Senior Technical Advisor at Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute and an Epidemic Intelligence Analyst at the Uganda Ministry of Health. Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Africa CDC Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) The International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) Biosecurity Game Changers Fellowship Program The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #8
    Jun 26, 2025 · 29 min

    Leveraging AI for Biomedical Research in Africa Pt. II

    In this follow up to the previous episode of Biosecurity: Changing the Game, Dr. Dinah Nasike and her guest, Darlington Akogo (Founder and CEO, minoHealth AI Labs; AI4Radiology Chair, United Nations ITU & WHO Focus Group on AI For Health) continue their discussion on the use of AI in the field of biomedical research in Africa. Links: WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin The WMDP Benchmark: Measuring and Reducing Malicious Use With Unlearning | CAIS BULL Database – Spanish Basin attributes for Unravelling Learning in Large-sample hydrology | Scientific Data FMEA vs Hazard Analysis: Definitions, Differences, and Relationship Welcome to the Moroni Lab - Biofabrication for Medicine MRC Uganda | LSHTM International Development Innovation Alliance African Union Champions AI for Africa’s Socioeconomic Transformation GUDRA Focus Group on "Artificial Intelligence for Health" About ITU KaraAgro AI – Precision Agriculture Platform minoHealth AI labs NTI - The Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and the Life Sciences Digital Diagnostics for Africa Network DHIS

  • #7
    Jun 12, 2025 · 33 min

    Leveraging AI for Biomedical Research in Africa

    In this edition of Biosecurity: Changing the Game, Dr. Dinah Nasike and her guest, Darlington Akogo (Founder and CEO, minoHealth AI Labs; AI4Radiology Chair, United Nations ITU & WHO Focus Group on AI For Health) discuss the use of AI in the field of biomedical research in Africa. Links: WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin The WMDP Benchmark: Measuring and Reducing Malicious Use With Unlearning | CAIS BULL Database – Spanish Basin attributes for Unravelling Learning in Large-sample hydrology | Scientific Data FMEA vs Hazard Analysis: Definitions, Differences, and Relationship Welcome to the Moroni Lab - Biofabrication for Medicine MRC Uganda | LSHTM International Development Innovation Alliance African Union Champions AI for Africa’s Socioeconomic Transformation GUDRA Focus Group on "Artificial Intelligence for Health" About ITU KaraAgro AI – Precision Agriculture Platform minoHealth AI labs NTI - The Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and the Life Sciences Digital Diagnostics for Africa Network DHIS

  • #6
    May 29, 2025 · 34 min

    Taking Biological Threats Off The Table Through Next-Generation Global South Leadership (Pt. II)

    This episode is the second half of Dr. Dinah Nasike's discussion with a group of next generation leaders who have decided to get involved in taking biological threats off the table by pitching a powerful proposal to the world on the 100 Days Mission: The Biosecurity Emerging Leaders Declaration at the 61st Munich Security Conference. This episode's guests include: Yorgo El Moubayed: Program Coordinator, International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation; Technical Consultant, IBBIS Kirsten Angeles: Independent Biosecurity Governance Researcher; NTI | bio BWC delegate 2023, Southeast Asia Biosecurity Thokozani Liwewe: Lilongwe District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Malawi José Garza Martínez: Researcher/Lecturer, Tecnologico de Monterrey; Instructor, Center of AI Safety; NTI | bio BWC delegate 2023 Yuhan Bao, Liaison Officer, International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation Links: Biosecurity Emerging Leaders Declaration at the 61st Munich Security Conference iGEM Munich Security Conference IPPS - 100 Days Mission CEPI The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #5
    May 15, 2025 · 31 min

    Taking Biological Threats Off The Table Through Next-Generation Global South Leadership

    In this episode, Dr. Dinah Nasike brings together a group of next generation leaders who have decided to get involved in taking biological threats off the table by pitching a powerful proposal to the world on the 100 Days Mission: The Biosecurity Emerging Leaders Declaration at the 61st Munich Security Conference. This episode's guests include: Yorgo El Moubayed: Program Coordinator, International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation; Technical Consultant, IBBIS Kirsten Angeles: Independent Biosecurity Governance Researcher; NTI | bio BWC delegate 2023, Southeast Asia Biosecurity Thokozani Liwewe: Lilongwe District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Malawi José Garza Martínez: Researcher/Lecturer, Tecnologico de Monterrey; Instructor, Center of AI Safety; NTI | bio BWC delegate 2023 Yuhan Bao, Liaison Officer, International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation Links: Biosecurity Emerging Leaders Declaration at the 61st Munich Security Conference iGEM Munich Security Conference IPPS - 100 Days Mission CEPI The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • #4
    May 1, 2025 · 42 min

    The 100 Days Mission (Pt. II)

    In the second part of this edition of Biosecurity: Changing the Game, Dr. Dinah Nasike and her guests discuss the 100 Days Mission - an ambitious initiative developed after the Covid-19 pandemic meant to ensure that vaccines, diagnostics and treatments are developed, produced and distributed within 100 days of a major disease outbreak. Guests: Thokozani Liwewe, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and Clinical Lead for the District Health Office under the Ministry of Health in Malawi Yorgo El Moubayed, Program Coordinator at the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation and Technical Consultant at the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS). Edyth Parker, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and Team Lead for Bioinformatics at the Institute of Genomics and Global Health Kirsten Angeles, Biosecurity Policy Researcher and NTI | bio BWC delegate 2023, Southeast Asia Biosecurity Jon Arizti Sanz, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow at the Pandemic Center and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Links: UNODA – United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs iGEM Munich Security Conference Platform Technology PMC: mRNA Platforms Nature: CRISPR-based genetic sequencing European Medicines Agency (EMA) U.S. Food and Drug Administration IPPS - 100 Days Mission CEPI

  • #3
    Apr 17, 2025 · 39 min

    The 100 Days Mission

    In this edition of Biosecurity: Changing the Game, Dr. Dinah Nasike and her guests discuss the 100 Days Mission - an ambitious initiative developed after the Covid-19 pandemic meant to ensure that vaccines, diagnostics and treatments are developed, produced and distributed within 100 days of a major disease outbreak. Guests: Thokozani Liwewe, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and Clinical Lead for the District Health Office under the Ministry of Health in Malawi Yorgo El Moubayed, Program Coordinator at the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Foundation and Technical Consultant at the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS). Edyth Parker, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow and Team Lead for Bioinformatics at the Institute of Genomics and Global Health Kirsten Angeles, Biosecurity Policy Researcher and NTI | bio BWC delegate 2023, Southeast Asia Biosecurity Jon Arizti Sanz, Biosecurity Game Changers Fellow at the Pandemic Center and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Links: UNODA – United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs iGEM Munich Security Conference Platform Technology PMC: mRNA Platforms Nature: CRISPR-based genetic sequencing European Medicines Agency (EMA) U.S. Food and Drug Administration IPPS - 100 Days Mission CEPI

  • #2
    Apr 3, 2025 · 35 min

    Biosecurity in the Beginning (Pt. II)

    In this continuation and conclusion of the conversation that began last episode, Dr. Dinah Nasike dives into the history and evolution of biosecurity: what biosecurity is; how it started; how it has evolved to become what we know as biosecurity today; and the events in the historical timeline that acted as tipping points and caused major shifts in global discourse around biosecurity. Dr. Nasike’s guests are biosecurity experts Beth Cameron and Wilmot James, both Senior Advisors to Brown University's Pandemic Center and Peter Babigumira, a Senior Technical Advisor at Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute and an Epidemic Intelligence Analyst at the Uganda Ministry of Health. Links: Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GPWMD) Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Africa CDC Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) The International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science Biosecurity Game Changers Fellowship Program The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

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