Speakers at Pre conference course B. Fundamentals for (re)design of a safe and compliant BSL3 facility (2 day)
Pre conference course B. Fundamentals for (re)design of a safe and compliant BSL3 facility (2 day)
About the speakers
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Karen van der Meulen
Academic Education and Degrees
- Doctor in Veterinary Science (2003), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
- Doctor in Veterinary Medicine DVM (1998), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
Present Professional Position
Senior Biosafety Manager at 3Bio (https://3bio.eu/biosafety/)
Perseus offers efficient solutions for biorisk management and regulatory compliance.
Biorisk management covers all aspects of biological safety and security such as risk assessment, containment requirements, training, audit, transport, waste handling and emergency preparedness. Perseus experts can act as external biosafety officers to your organisation. Perseus integrates technical background with an in-depth knowledge of the European regulatory requirements for biological material, including genetically modified organisms. We assist clients in complying with complex regulatory requirements on e.g. contained use, workers protection, import and export, emergency planning, deliberate releases such as field trials and clinical trials, as well as commercial applications.
Special Remarks
- Senior expert in biosafety and biotechnology regulation
- Long term expercience in R&D in life sciences
- Active member of key biosafety associations and working groups
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Toon De Kesel
Present Professional Position
Biorisk & EHS Expert
Toon De Kesel is owner and general manager of Febris Biorisk Consult BV, a specialist company providing leading consultative services worldwide in the areas of Biosafety and Biosecurity. He founded Febris Biorisk in 2016. He led several WHO GAPIII IPV/OPV Polio-virus projects at various companies, e.g. Janssen Vaccines BV, Intravacc and Bilthoven Biologicals BV (NL), Praha Vaccines as (CZ), GSK Vaccines NV (BE), Sinovac Ltd (China).
Previous experienceToon De Kesel was, for more than 15 years (until 2008), Corporate Manager Health, Safety and Environment at Innogenetics NV, a Belgian biopharmaceutical company. He was the biosafety officer for both Innogenetics’ R&D and Bio-manufacturing plants (vaccine production facilities). He has relevant experience in dealing with general safety aspects, occupational health and environmental issues, regulatory matters, laboratory and manufacturing (biosafety) practices, biocontainment facilities and risk assessment involving biological agents (including GMO’s/GMMO’s). He has lots of expertise in technical issues such as risk analysis methodologies, job hazard analysis, work practices, personal protection, disinfection, waste management, emergency procedures, training op personnel, etc. Specific experience in regulatory matters, laboratory and manufacturing practices, high biocontainment facilities - (A)BSL-3), all in relation to EHS and Biosafety.
He then joined, in 2008, DNV Biorisk as Principal Consultant Biorisk, specializing in risk assessment associated with biological systems, and in particular studies relating to laboratory biosafety and biosecurity measures. He was performing risk assessment and safety studies, i.e. HAZOP risk assessment of an effluent treatment plant, SWIFT risk assessment of a HVAC installation, and organizing and giving biorisk training courses.
He was appointed from 2009 to 2016 as Biosafety International Compliance Manager for Bayer Cropscience NV in Gent and was the Global Head of Biological Material Movement. In 2010, he was appointed as the Environmental Safety Manager for the Belgian activities of Bayer Cropscience until December 2014.
He is member of the European Biosafety Association since 1998, and was the EBSA President 2013-2014. He is Chair of the EBSA CWA Strategy Task Group and was member of the EBSA Education and Training Working Group and BTWC/CBRN Task Group. He is a member of the ISO/TC-212 Working Group 5 - Biorisk Management (ISO 35001:2019) and other ISO Biorisk management deliverables (Biorisk management guidance document and Biosafety professional competence).
He was closely involved in the foundation of Belgian Biosafety Professionals (BBP) in 2005 and is Past-Chairman of the BBP (2005-2008). He is Council Member of the Flemish Association for Environmental coordinators (VMx) since 2000. He was former Board Member of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA), 2014-2017.