Happening Now
Introducing HSP's New President, Dr. Michael Callahan!
Health Security Partners is thrilled to introduce our new president, Dr. Michael Callahan! Dr. Callahan was unanimously voted into this role, having previously served as a Senior Advisor for HSP and bringing with him a wealth of experience in the field of global infectious disease control and biodefense countermeasures. His commitment to improving health security in exceptionally vulnerable regions of the world will undoubtedly be sustained through HSPs growing initiatives. We are hopeful, … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
The Risk Of Skilled Scientist Radicalization And Emerging Biological Warfare Threats
HSP's Executive Director, Dr. Jason Rao is an editor of this recent NATO publication. The NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme serves to foster scientific discussions, knowledge exchange and innovative collaborations between NATO members. Volume 138 of its publication series is entitled, "The Risk of Skilled Scientist Radicalization and Emerging Biological Warfare Threats" with contributions from Jason Rao. In today's global climate, the threat of radicalization is pervasive, as … Continue Reading
February 08, 2018
The Nature Of Anthrax
As Americans, hearing the word "anthrax" is unnerving. Our blood runs icy in memory of the 2001 anthrax letter attacks following in the weeks after 9/11. America was reeling from its most devastating terrorist attack in history - our national security had been stripped, and we felt for once, vulnerable. The anthrax attacks continue to be the most infamous example of bioterrorism our country has faced, and has resulted in anthrax becoming nearly synonymous with bio warfare. What many Americans … Continue Reading
February 08, 2018
Introducing HSP's Newest Intern, Libby Cha!
Global health is ubiquitous - it permeates many aspects of our lives and interconnects the world in ways that often go unnoticed. While it is often characterized by the interventions it produces, for me, global health means a shift in thinking. It is about the complexities and requires you to deconstruct everything you know about the issue. In this, I have realized how incredibly easy it is to be definitive about things when you don't appreciate the humanity of it. The field of global health … Continue Reading
February 01, 2018
Dual Use Research Of Concern And DIYBio
HSP's current cohort of Futures Fellows from the MENA region recently completed a module on dual use research of concern (DURC). DURC is defined by the WHO as "life sciences research that is intended for benefit, but which might easily be misapplied to do harm." Their assignment was to discuss the concept of "DIYBio" ("Do-it-yourself-biology"), or "biohacking", and its relationship to DURC. DIYBio is a movement that makes biotechnology available to the public in labs outside of those found in … Continue Reading
January 24, 2018
HSP Implements Workshop For Anthrax Outbreak Detection, Reporting And Response In Indonesia
HSP, in collaboration with the Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN), hosted a two-day workshop, January 23-24, 2018, focused on strengthening anthrax outbreak detection, reporting and response in Indonesia. The workshop brought together 40 human and veterinary health participants from anthrax endemic provinces, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior, law enforcement, and armed forces. The workshop began with in-depth … Continue Reading
December 01, 2017
HSP Participates In Career Fair At Hamdard University In Karachi, Pakistan
On November 24-25, 2017, HSP actively participated in a Career Fair organized at Hamdard University in Karachi, Pakistan. HSP representatives included Associate Dr. Saeed Khan, and Futures Fellows Alumni, Maria Zahid (2015) and Ramsha Khan (2016). The career fair at Hamdard University in Karachi, Pakistan focused on young scientists and early-career researchers, and facilitated the exploration of new opportunities within their respective fields. The fair was a huge success, and the HSP … Continue Reading
November 27, 2017
AAAS And Health Security Partners Announce 2017 Fellows
Please join us in congratulating HSP Executive Director, Jason Rao, for being elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)! We are so proud of you, Jason and all that you do! Washington D.C.- Dr. Jason Rao, Executive Director of Health Security Partners has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as a AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. Dr. Rao is being recognized … Continue Reading
November 20, 2017
Congratulations To Dr. Saeed Khan!
Dr. Saeed Khan, a long-time associate of Health Security Partners, has successfully passed the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) exam to become to Certified Biorisk Management Professional! Q: What made you interested in becoming a Certified Biorisk Management Professional? A: Over the last 15 years, I have attended several national and international workshops and training programs for biosafety, biosecurity and biorisk management. More recently, I have become an … Continue Reading
November 16, 2017
The Universal Language Of Science
I recently traveled to Yogyakarta with the HSP team in support of the Indonesia Stewards Fellowship. On my last day in-country, I ventured over to the royal palace, more officially known as Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Awe-struck by its grandiosity, I was oddly unaware of how touristy I looked…until I was approached by a group of young Indonesians who wanted to interview me. Each was donned in a white medical coat with an official-looking badge, and I soon learned that they were … Continue Reading
November 09, 2017
HSP Launches Clinical Diagnostic Fellowship For Melioidosis To Strengthen Capacity In Indonesia
The HSP Clinical Diagnostic Fellowship was created to supplement workshop training with intensive hands-on skill building and mentoring at a regional center of excellence for the diagnosis and reporting of infectious disease. The mentoring process includes the guided development of an implementation plan to ensure that diagnostic methods can be reliably replicated when the trainees return to their home institutions. Post-mentoring, Fellows are provided with small funding for the procurement of … Continue Reading
November 09, 2017
HSP Supports Cambodia Training Event For Awareness Of Melioidosis In Phnom Penh
HSP worked with international and Cambodian partners to roll out the CBEP-funded workshop to create awareness and provide training to clinicians and laboratory professionals for improved detection, diagnosis, and treatment of melioidosis in Cambodia. Modeling studies estimate a total of 165,000 human melioidosis cases worldwide, contributing to 89,000 deaths annually, (case fatality rate of >50%)[1]; it is underreported in most countries, including Cambodia. Melioidosis presents many unique … Continue Reading
November 09, 2017
Introducing New 2017 Health Security Stewards
Health Security Partners is pleased to introduce the 2017 Health Security Stewards Fellows from Indonesia! This cohort brings together researchers and faculty from universities across Indonesia with expertise in clinical microbiology, public health and veterinary health. The Stewards Fellowship commenced with a Training Institute, held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on October 10-13. Throughout the week, the Fellows engaged with expert lectures from the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines … Continue Reading
September 11, 2017
HSP Staff Collaborates On Melioidosis Workshop In Bogor, Indonesia
Melioidosis is an infectious disease that thrives in tropical climates, easily spreading from water or soil to unbeknownst humans and animals. Last month, Health Security Partners (HSP), in collaboration with Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) spearheaded a three-day workshop to raise awareness of melioidosis. Although this workshop was held in Indonesia, experts from the United States, Australia, Britain and Thailand convened to share their research findings. Representatives from various … Continue Reading
July 12, 2017
Introducing New 2017 Futures Fellows
Health Security Partners is pleased to introduce the 2017 Health Security Futures Fellows from the Middle East and North Africa region. This cohort brings together a diversity of experiences, including expertise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics and nano biotechnology. The Futures Fellowship kicked off with a weeklong Training Institute, held in Valencia, Spain on July 8-13 so as to coincide with the Federation of European … Continue Reading
April 27, 2017
HSP Welcomes Lauren Williams
HSP welcomes Lauren Williams to the team as Program Operations Manager, where she will help oversee operational and administrative functions as well as execute a range of activities in the grant programs portfolio. She comes to us with nearly ten years of experience managing public health and national security projects and programs for the public, private, and academic sectors. After completing her M.S. in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases from the George Washington … Continue Reading
March 31, 2017
Introducing Annalise Schoonmaker
We're thrilled to announce that Annalise Schoonmaker has recently joined our team as a Program Associate. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University and is currently pursuing a M.S. in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. For the past 2.5 years, she was working in Doha, Qatar as a full-time teaching assistant for pre-medical education at Weill Cornell Medicine. With her background … Continue Reading
February 28, 2017
Announcing New Staff On The HSP Team
Over the last month, the HSP team has been growing. We're thrilled to introduce Jay Miller and Olivia Bundschuh who both bring a diversity of experience to our team. Jay Miller Position: Program Manager Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Previous Experience & Education: 7 years of experience in global health program management and outbreak/disaster response; MSPH, Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases What attracted you to working for HSP? "I've been fortunate to work on a wide … Continue Reading
January 05, 2017
Introducing Aimee Tandoi
We're excited to announce that Aimee Tandoi has joined the HSP team as a Program Coordinator to support our work around the world. She recently graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Community Health, a minor in Neuroscience, and a passion for global health. "Few things in this world are certain, especially when we look at the volatile state of our country and of nations abroad. One thing I have always been certain of, however, is my need to help those … Continue Reading
December 19, 2016
HSP Convenes NATO Science For Peace & Security Workshop
Earlier this month, Health Security Partners, in collaboration with the Landau Network-Fondazione Volta (Como, Italy) and the Iraq National Monitoring Authority (Baghdad, Iraq), hosted an Advanced Research Workshop supported by the NATO Science for Peace & Security (SPS) Program in Como, Italy. The three-day workshop brought together 25 experts from diverse public, academic, and non-profit institutions to discuss the risk of emerging biological threats in the context of global terrorism. … Continue Reading