In this project, Koblentz will work with Filippa Lentzos at King’s College London to create an improved, expanded, and much more detailed resource. The goal of the project is to increase the understanding of the public and policymakers about the global biomedical research infrastructure that works with dangerous pathogens and how to strengthen national and international polices to ensure that such research is conducted safely, securely, and responsibly.
Specifically, the resource will provide data on:
• additional high-containment labs, including animal labs, mobile labs, and key BSL-3+ labs
• the type of research and pathogens worked with in the labs
• the oversight mechanisms in place in the individual labs covering biosafety, biosecurity, and dual-use research oversight, including national laws and regulations, national or international standards adopted, institutional guidance, codes of practice, and review committees
• indicators of the wider national sociopolitical context in which these labs operate.
Koblentz received $25,008 for this project. Funding began in November 2021 and will end in late October 2022.
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About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia's largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 38,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at http://www.gmu.edu.