Program Officer, Global Biological Policy and Programs
Chris Isaac is a program officer for NTI’s Global Biological Policy and Programs team (NTI | bio). In this role, he supports efforts to improve biosecurity and biotechnology governance through the Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative, increase transparency and accountability for national health security capacities through the Global Health Security Index, and reduce global catastrophic biological risks arising from the misuse of biotechnology.
Isaac has been involved with synthetic biology through the Internationally Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Competition since the start of his scientific career and brings with him a mixture of skills in policy, biochemistry, and programming.
Isaac holds a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Philosophy and a M.Sc in Biochemistry (Bioinformatics) from the University of Lethbridge. Additionally, Isaac is an alumnus of the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and is a member of the iGEM Safety and Security Committee.
New report from NTI | bio offers recommendations for urgent actions that leaders within government, industry, the scientific community, and civil society should take to safeguard AI-bio capabilities.
A new NTI | bio report describes the status of benchtop DNA synthesis devices, explains the risks for biosecurity, and recommends action and oversight by governments, industry, and the scientific community.
A new NTI | bio report released today on the sidelines of the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of States Parties, “Strengthening Global Systems to Prevent and Respond to High-Consequence Biological Threats,” outlines actionable recommendations for the international community to bolster prevention and response capabilities for high-consequence biological events.
Establishing stronger norms and practices to prevent accidents, misuse, and other adverse outcomes of life science research
Rapidly assessing origins of high-consequence global biological events
Establishing an international Common Mechanism for DNA Synthesis Screening
Safeguarding modern bioscience and biotechnology so it can advance and flourish safely and responsibly
Preventing global catastrophic biological risks (GCBRS)
Advances in biotechnology outpace national governments’ ability to provide needed oversight to prevent accidents or deliberate misuse of dangerous biological agents.
The GHS Index highlights individual country needs, boost compliance with international standards, and create better understanding of global capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats.
