Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
in Biosecurity

The Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative was created to identify, develop, and provide networking opportunities to the next generation of leaders in this exciting, challenging, and multidisciplinary field. We invite you to explore this website to learn about the purpose, goals, and benefits of the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity fellowship, get your questions answered through our FAQs, broaden your view of the field through the Knowledge Library, and then, consider applying to be a Fellow yourself.

Fresh Thinking and New Approaches to Complex Challenges in Biosecurity

"Biosecurity" refers to the policies and actions taken to protect the civilian and military populations against biological agents, whether the agent is intentionally released or naturally occurring. Pressing issues in biosecurity include antibiotic-resistant organisms, dual-use technologies, an ever-widening capacity to produce synthetic biothreats, and regulatory structures that are outpaced by scientific innovation. The field is complex and requires a broad range of disciplines and professionals who can offer fresh perspectives. Advances in the life sciences present significant opportunities and challenges for the 21st century. Recognizing the need for critical expertise in biosecurity for the future, senior government leaders asked the UPMC Center for Health Security to establish the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative.

Expanded Community and New Leaders in the Field

The Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative is a competitive fellowship program designed to create and sustain an energetic, multidisciplinary, and intergenerational biosecurity community made up of motivated young professionals as well as current leaders. Each year, this program will select a group of the "best and brightest" Fellows who are talented career professionals from government, defense, private industry, science, law, public health, medicine, global health, journalism, the social sciences, and academia. By participating in conferences, seminars, networking events, a writing competition, and educational webinars, Fellows will deepen their expertise, expand their professional contacts, and build their leadership skills. This is not a full-time fellowship, and Fellows should continue with their primary jobs and/or studies while they participate in the Initiative. However, applicants are expected to participate in sponsored events and to submit a paper for the writing competition. The Initiative will cover expenses related to participation in the two Emerging Leaders conferences.

In 2012, the Initiative selected the first class of 25 Fellows, who demonstrated the capacity to make strong contributions to the field. An Executive Steering Committee made up of established leaders in biosecurity provides strategic guidance to the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative.

Unique Experiences and Valuable Networking Opportunities

Fellows in the Emerging Leaders Initiative have regular opportunities to interact with current leaders in the field in both the private and public sectors, both in civilian and military positions. Fellowship activities are designed to facilitate candid discussions about current and anticipated biosecurity challenges and to afford Fellows the opportunity to contribute ideas to the scientific and policy communities.

Fellows are provided with an array of resources to advance their knowledge of key biosecurity issues and help them learn about careers in the field.