Speakers at EBSA Conference 2026 and Preconference courses

Research Fellow, BSL-4 laboratory manager, University of Pécs, National Laboratory of Virology, Hungary

Balázs Somogyi earned his MSc degree in Biology in 2015 from the Faculty of Science at the University of Pécs. Before his graduate studies, he was already involved in university research projects during his high school years, where he achieved results primarily in network analysis and small mammal ecology. Throughout his university years, he continued these research projects, gaining outstanding experience in biostatistics supporting ecological research and field study implementation. Building on his expertise in field biology and biostatistics, he joined the Virological Research Group at the Szentágothai Research Centre in 2018. Here, he quickly learned various molecular biology techniques and obtained certification for work in a BSL-4 virology laboratory. In addition to laboratory work, he actively participated in the certification and maintenance operations of the lab. As a result, he became the „biosafety-integrated OH&S” leader of the group in 2020.

Read the full CV here

Current position:

Expert for Biosafety, Laboratory Management, Diagnostic and Pathogenesis Studies of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo e de Molise, Italy (since October 2024)

Educational qualifications:

• PhD (Dr. rer.net.), University of Hamburg, Germany (2016)
• Diploma in Biochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle -Wittenberg, Germany (2012)
• High School Degree (Abitu), Werner von Siemens Gymnasium Grossenhain, Germany (2006)

Experience:

Over 10 years of experience in biosafety, virology, high-containment lab operations, diagnostic development, and laboratory management.

• implementation ISO35001 and ISO 17025 systems; designing and delivering BSL3 training
• Supporting installation and operationalization of BSL3 facilities
• Former BSL3 Scientific Mangaer, Senior Scientist & Integrated Expert, and Postdoctoral Researcher at Institut Pasteur du Cambodge

Other information:

• Languages: German (native), english (C2), Italian (A1)
• Certifications: IFBA Biorisk Management (2025), ISO 35001 Awareness (2024), WOAH PVS Sustainable Laboratories Expert Training (2023)

Publications: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4717-7618

Read the full CV here

Academic Education and Degrees:

• BSc Biomedical science
• PhD Microbiology
• PGCE

Present Professional Position

Head of Novel and Dangerous Pathogens Training for UKHSA, Porton, Salisbury Wiltshire

Jane Shallcross has over 20 years’ experience working developing and delivering training in laboratory biosafety in the UK and internationally. She has lead on laboratory training for scientists deploying to three UK run Ebola diagnostic laboratories in Sierra Leone, led on the authoring of the WHO Laboratory biosafety manual monograph on Outbreak preparedness and response, designed training for responders at Porton, is co Head of the WHO collaboration Centre for Applied Biosafety and Training.

Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences, RBP (ABSA)

Education:

• Ph.D. (Spring 2010), Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Genetics & Microbiology), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
  Dissertation title: The Role of Metnase in DNA Replication Stress Response and DNA Repair. University Science Teaching Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (Spring 2010), University of New Mexico. Overall GPA 3.95
• B.S. 2004, Biochemistry (with Departmental Honors), California State University, Los Angeles, California.
  Honors thesis title: Extraction, Amplification, and Sequencing of Mitochondrial DNA from Ancient Urocyon littoralis Bones from the California Channel Islands. Overall GPA 3.5 

Employment History 

• Senior Scientist II (September 2024-present). Merrick & Co. Greenwood Village, CO (remote).
• Independent Biorisk Management Consultant (March 2019-present). Los Angeles, CA.
• Assistant Biosafety Officer (September 2022-September 2024). California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA.
• Senior Scientist - Global Chemical and Biological Security (January-September 2022). Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM.
• Safety and Security Analyst - ES&H Internal Auditor (December 2019-January 2022). Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM. 

Relevant Skills:

• AI: expert in risk assessment for the use of AI in biotechnology.
• Biorisk management (biosafety & biosecurity): expert in biosafety & biosecurity principles, training, and conducting risk assessments nationally and internationally.
• Lab Inspections: 10 years’ experience with laboratory inspections from OSHA, FDA, USDA, CLIA, Albuquerque City Environmental Health Department (I was the inspector), the New Mexico Department of Health (I was the inspector), & Pasadena Fire Department.
• BSL3: 2.5 years as a biosafety officer in a high containment SA public health laboratory. Conducted inspections, risk assessments, hands-on trainings, participated in decontamination procedures. Was part of the Ebola and Zika preparedness team and conducted outreach and preparedness assessment in the local healthcare facilities, including the VA hospital and clinical diagnostics laboratories throughout the state.
• IBC: 8 years’ experience as IBC member, including as unaffiliated community member, as BSO member, and as chair (2 yrs). 

Read the full CV here

Dr. Marcel van Bergen is a BioRisk Professional / Management Advisor at the Radboud Campus (Radboud University and Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and affiliated companies. In 2010 he started there as a BioSafety Officer, Occupational Health Hygienist (with focus on biological agents) and Environmental Safety Officer.

Currently, he is leading the BioRisk Prevention team in Nijmegen. Since 2019 he is chairman of the Dutch Biosafety Association (BVF-Platform). Additionally, he is a member of the EBSA Scientific Working Group since 2018, and chairing this group since 2022.

From 1997 till 2010 he was active as Technician, Researcher, Project Leader, Quality Assurance Officer and Bio Safety Officer at the Central Veterinary Institute in Lelystad (Wageningen University, NL). In 2005 he completed his PhD thesis on Molecular Typing of Campylobacter fetus (Utrecht University, NL). Additionally, from 2002 till 2010 he served as a trainer for the World Health Organization.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-van-bergen-8b13467/

Rachel Gamble is the Director of Science & Technology at Pond and Company. She holds a Doctor of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (concentration in epidemiology and disease control). She has over 20 years of experience and has previously held leadership roles as an Associate Director of Biosafety and Biosecurity at Merrick, and as the Director of Environmental Safety and the high containment/select agent research facility at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Additionally, she held concurrent academic appointments as Assistant Professor in BCM's Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health.

Rachel holds multiple leadership roles within ABSA International, including ABSA Council Member, Editorial Board Member for Applied Biosafety Journal, Credentialing Evaluation Board Member, Scientific Planning Committee Member, and has been an instructor for ABSA's Risk Assessment course along with other pre-conference courses.

Read the full CV here