PRECONFERENCE COURSES:
Monday, September 8, 2025

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Protect Your People and Your Program: Build a Strong Occupational Health Framework
Marcia Isakari, MD, MPH, FACOEM, University of California – San Diego; Michelle Kom Gochnour, MN, RN, COHN-S, Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Whether you’re at a small college, a major research university, a healthcare system, or a corporate research organization, a comprehensive Occupational Health Program is critical to preventing biological exposures, managing risks, and staying compliant with regulatory standards.
Join us for an engaging, expert-led session designed to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to build or enhance your institution’s occupational health infrastructure.
We’ll begin with a deep dive into essential regulations, workplace hazards, and hazard control practices. Then, work through real-world case studies in small group sessions—designed to highlight diverse approaches across different types of institutions.
What sets this course apart?
You’ll be learning directly from faculty who are ACOEM award winners and authors of key ACOEM position statements, bringing nationally recognized expertise and decades of practical experience to the classroom.
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your program and protect what matters most—your people.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Preparing for an AAALAC Inspection
Debra Hickman, DVM, DACLAM, DACAW, and Jacob Werner, VMD, AAALAC International

COLLOQUIUM:
Tuesday, September 9, 2025

8:30 AM – Welcome

Session 1: Respiratory Diseases
Facilitator: Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD, Boston University School of Medicine

8:45 AM – New Interfaces in Influenza Transmission and Implications for Emerging Virus in the Field and in the Lab
Jonathan Runstadler, DVM, PhD, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Jordan, MD, MPH, Tufts Medical Center

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has emerged as one of the most impactful global panzootic diseases in history with new lineages of the virus spreading globally and infecting an unprecedented number of species. This has included spillover into domestic animals and humans with implications for the emergence of continuing animal and human pandemic disease. In this presentation, we explore the new interfaces that have emerged for viral spillover, including research in wildlife hosts, and the implications of evolving endemic circulation for potential novel exposure in nature and in the laboratory.

10:45 AM – Break

11:00 AM – Discussion: H5N1 and Other Respiratory Diseases
Panel: Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD, Boston University School of Medicine, Jonathan Runstadler, DVM, PhD, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Jordan, MD, MPH, Tufts Medical Center

11:45 AM – IBC/IACUC Case Studies
Facilitators: Gary Fujimoto, MD, Occupational Health Consultant, Betsy Gilman Duane, MS, RBP, CBSP, Biosafety Consultant

12:30 PM – Lunch

1:30 AM – IBC/IACUC Case Studies (continued)

Session 2: Lentiviral and Retroviral Vectors

1:00 PM – Managing Lentiviral and Retroviral Exposures and What Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Should and Should Not Be Used
Gary Fujimoto, MD, Occupational Health Consultant

This presentation will review why timely post-exposure prophylaxis is important. It will also designate what appropriate treatment for occupational post-exposure prophylaxis is for both lentiviral and retroviral vectors as well as what medications need to be avoided.

3:15 PM – Break

Session 3: Laboratory Animal Allergies

3:30 PM – Laboratory Animal Allergies Best Practices
Speaker: Gregg M. Stave, MD, JD, MPH, Occupational Medicine Specialist
Panel: Michelle Kom Gochnour, MN, RN, COHN-S, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Katie Ayres, BSN, RN, COHN-S, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Maureen Thompson, BSN, RN, COHN-S, RBP, Biosafety Consultant; Amy Behrman, MD, FACP, FACOEM, University of Pennsylvania, T. Warner Hudson, MD FACOEM, FAAFP, University of California – Irvine

Join us for a presentation and roundtable discussion with the authors of the recently published ACOEM guidance on Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA). Learn how a leadership team, a performance-based approach to medical surveillance, workplace controls, and self-audits can enhance worker safety. With LAA affecting 10- 20% or more of laboratory animal workers, proactive prevention is key. Engage with experts, share experiences, and strengthen your organization’s LAA strategy!

5:00 PM – Conclusion

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

8:30 AM – Welcome

Session 4: Biomedical Research
Facilitator: Betsy Gilman Duane, MS, RBP, CBSP, Biosafety Consultant

8:40 AM – Gene and Cellular Therapy
Speakers: Jacqueline Moore, MS, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Randy Boles, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, (Plus Scientists, Vertex Pharmaceuticals)

10:30 AM – Break

10:45 AM – Hazardous Chemicals & Toxins in Biomedical Research
Thomas H. Winters MD, FACOEM, FACPM, Occupational and Environmental Health Network (OEHN)

Providing research occupational health clinical support not only includes biologic, toxin, and animal care risks, but also chemical exposure risk. Chemical, fiber, nanoparticle, and metal exposures to researchers require a risk assessment, acute exposure evaluation and intervention, provision of antidotes and surveillance program availability if long term exposure risk. Skin, eye, ingestion, and inhalational risks will be discussed and emphasis on engineering controls and PPE.

11:30 AM – The Reproductive Health Consultation: a Risk Management Paradigm
Deborah N. Barbeau, MD, PhD, MSPH, Occupational and Environmental Health Network (OEHN)

This talk will discuss potential reproductive hazards in the work environment, focusing on the biomedical laboratory and healthcare settings. It will also review the legal framework in place for the protection of pregnant workers. Finally, it will outline a risk management approach to workplace assessments and accommodation considerations.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Session 5: Best Practices
Facilitator: Maureen Thompson, BSN, RN, COHN-S, RBP, Biosafety Consultant

1:00 PM – Round Table: Occupational Health Professionals: Best Practices for Engaging with the Research Community
Speaker: Evelyn Wright-Lewis, RN, EMSN, COHN-S, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Panel: Gary Fujimoto, MD, Occupational Health Consultant, Maureen Thompson, BSN, RN, COHN-S, RBP, Biosafety Consultant, Michelle Kom Gochnour, MN, RN, COHN-S, Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Collaboration and active involvement of occupational health professionals with the research community is essential. This session will explore practical approaches and how meaningful engagement can create a foundation for trust and shared program success. Consequently, ensuring improved strategies for preventing injuries, illness, and promoting worker well-being.

2:00 PM – Break

Session 6: Travel Medicine
Facilitator: T. Warner Hudson, MD FACOEM, FAAFP, University of California – Irvine

2:15 PM – Personal Story: Managing an Accident in a Remote Location
T. Warner Hudson, MD FACOEM, FAAFP, University of California – Irvine

In April 2024 my dear Pam Hymel, MD and I traveled to the Bandhavgarh India tiger park for a wonderful photo safari. After a week in open jeeps in the severe heat, on night she stood up, dehydrated, fell and hit her head resulting in a bad brain bleed. The harrowing saga of getting her diagnosed, to an excellent hospital and doctor, driving 20 + hours stressed all the supports systems we had in place and is a great example of what preparation is needed and how to navigate the harrowing issues with someone so dear to me. Thankfully she was back to normal a couple months later but what a nightmare. Slides and details will tell the story.

2:45 PM – Travel Medicine Update: Travel Safe, Travel Smart
Laura Kogelman, MD, FIDSA, Tufts Medical Center

Review and update of current travel relevant vaccines, prevention of vector borne illnesses, and blood borne pathogen prevention. Talk will be geared towards both those who provide travel medicine consultations as well as those traveling for work and research.

4:15 PM – Open Discussion: Current Topics of Concern
Discussion Facilitated by Planning Committee

5:00 PM – Conclusion

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Post Conference Tour
National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory (NEIDL), Boston University