Christopher Isaac Email & Phone Number

Canada

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

On the Global Biological Policy and Programs team, I support our work to balance the promise of biotechnology with preventing the biological weapons threat. Specifically, I support our efforts to assess and monitor health security progress through the Global Health Security Index, creating cross-sectoral partnerships to reduce risks arising from biotechnology, and strengthen the biosecurity architecture to prevent global catastrophic biological risks.Contributed to AI safety efforts by providing a balanced analysis of AI-Bio risks ahead ofthe UK AI Summit and provided expert perspective to a separate government process, aforecasting effort on ‘red lines’ in AI-Bio, and model evaluations for Gryphon Scientific.• Translated technical research on benchtop DNA synthesis technology, advancedbiodesign tools, and synthetic biology for internal and external stakeholders.• Created in-house data analysis pipelines for the Global Health Security Index to automatequality assurance, and secondary academic analysis of national health security capacities.• Supported the creation of the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative forScience (IBBIS) to promote norms in the life sciences and strengthen DNA synthesisscreening tools and policies, including compliance with international law and standards.• Developed scenarios, modelling, and materials for high-level tabletop exercises at theMunich Security Conference, exploring national responses to pandemic threats.

Lethbridge, Ab

Engineered, designed, and built novel synthetic biology projects as a member and advisor to Lethbridge iGEM teams. The skills required for the project included extensive research, molecular biology benchwork, HTML and CSS code, and public speaking.2013 High School iGEM Jamboree Grand Prize Winner.

Wieden Lab

Worked in the lab of Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden and assisted with the development of a cell-free translation system. The project involved site-directed mutagenesis, ultracentrifugation, and basic molecular techniques including cloning, PCR, and SDS-PAGE.

The Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity (ELBI) Fellowship inspires and connects the next generation of leaders and innovators in the biosecurity community. This highly-competitive, part-time program is an opportunity for talented career professionals to deepen their expertise, expand their network, and build their leadership skills through a series of sponsored events coordinated by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. This fellowship boasts more than 100 alumni who represent government, defence, private industry, science, law, public health, medicine, global health, journalism, the social sciences, and academia.

Lethbridge, Ab

Studied the prevalence and distribution of Dermacentor spp. within Alberta, lab population rearing, and molecular determination of species / hybridity by PCR.

Lethbridge, Ab

Performed extensive multi-project fieldwork researching the health of the western honeybee, in addition to gaining Containment Level 2 (CL2) training in order to work in the presence of pathogens.

Master Of Science - Ms, Bioinformatics

Activities and Societies: Emerging Leader in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI) Fellowship, iGEM Team Leader, iGEM Safety and Security.

Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.), Biology

Activities and Societies: Chemistry and Biochemistry Club (Treasurer), High School iGEM Mentor, Collegiate iGEM Participant.