Five Biorisk Management (BRM) committee members from various RITM departments passed the International Federation of Biosafety Associations’ (IFBA) Certification in Biorisk Management examination last June 30, 2022.  

The newly certified IFBA Certified Professionals in Biorisk Management are Ms. Catherine Ann Sacopon (National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory), Ms. Catherine Calzado-Dacasin (Virology Department), Mr. Phrencian Wallen Calpa (Clinical Laboratory), Mr. Prince Ninja Bautista (Microbiology Department), and Mr. Ron Justine Laroza (Biorisk Management Office Biobank). 

Prior to their certification, only Mr. Plebeian Medina, Ms. Abigail Miranda, and Ms. Michelle Casagan were IFBA Certification holders. The three are certified professionals in two fields namely Biorisk Management and Biosecurity since 2017. 

The IFBA’s certification program is the only internationally recognized program to certify the competency of individuals in biorisk management and a variety of related technical disciplines. The program is structured in compliance with the policies and procedures of ISO/IEC 17024: 2012 Conformity assessment – General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons.

“With this certification, the RITM-BRM committee has leveled-up the competence and expertise of its members in performance of its duties/mandates such as review of research protocols for biosafety/biosecurity clearance, investigation of laboratory incidents, accidents and near miss, and provision of inputs and recommendations on BRMO’s biosafety policy and guidelines for implementation,” says Plebeian B. Medina, head of RITM BRMO. 

IFBA is a non-profit, non-governmental organization of certified biorisk management professionals, biosafety officers, scientists, laboratory personnel, architects, engineers, academics and policy makers who have common interest in safe, secure and responsible work with biological materials.

BRMO maintains a cadre of competent and reliable biosafety and biosecurity professionals as part of its commitment towards maintaining a sustainable culture of biological safety and security in the Institute.

Thanks to the Health Security Partners for the support. 

by Plebeian Medina, Biorisk Management Office