Biosecurity, Chemical and Biological weapons Nonproliferation, and Pandemic Prevention

In this course, we will review and discuss the history of biological and chemical weapons nonproliferation, biosecurity policy (focusing on the US and multilateral policy), and pandemic prevention efforts both pre- and post-COVID. Through understanding the biochemical and immunological mechanisms of action of biothreats and toxins, we will categorize pandemic and bioweapon response and mitigation strategies, and identify gaps in current preparedness and policy. We will evaluate the risk potential of new biotechnologies, including risk assessment methodologies, and apply these to proposed dual-use technologies and research.



Dr. Allison Berke is the Chemical and Biological Weapons Non-Proliferation Program Director at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA. Her work focuses on biosecurity policy, evaluating and regulating biotechnologies, and computational approaches to monitoring emerging biothreats./