AfBSA PRESIDENT HONOURED
Dr. Larbi Baassi, President of the African Biological Safety Association (AfBSA) is the 2025 recipient of the 2025 Elizabeth R. Griffin Lecture Award.
Dr. Larbi was honoured at ABSA’s 68th Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Conference held in Raleigh, North Carolina in the United States of America on October 28.
African Biological Safety Association (AfBSA) is one of the member organisations of the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC).
Erin Sorrell, while presenting the award, noted that “Larbi bridges divides between cultures, disciplines and industries to develop ideas and approaches that make sense, that keep people safe, and in turn promote learned behavior and best practices.”
Dr. Larbi Baassi displays the Elizabeth R. Griffin award, in the company of Erin Sorrell, Director, Elizabeth R. Griffin Program and Alanna Fogarty from the Center for Health Security, John Hopkins University.
The award was presented by Erin Sorrell, Director, Elizabeth R. Griffin Program , and Associate Professor, department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Center for Health Security, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The Elizabeth R. Griffin Program (ERGP) upholds biosafety, biosecurity, and occupational health standards globally. Initially founded as the Elizabeth R. Griffin Foundation post the tragic loss of Elizabeth (Beth) Griffin to B virus, ERGP focuses on evidence-based practices to safeguard researchers and frontline workers.
Past recipients of the Elizabeth R. Griffin Lecture Award include Prof Halima Benbouza (2023), currently a Director for Science and Technology at the National Council of Scientific Research and Technologies, Algeria and Dr. Dgibril Sangare (2024). He is the President of the Mali Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity.
Dr. Larbi poses for a picture with delegates at ABSA’s 68th Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Conference.
Dr. Larbi has helped to create awareness on the evolution of Morocco’s biosafety landscape since 2008, including the creation of the Biorisk Management Association of Morocco (BMAM)!
“I’m deeply grateful to the Elizabeth R. Griffin Program team and especially to Mrs Gayle for this recognition and for the meaning it carries. My heartfelt thanks to my family, my colleagues in Morocco, my peers across the Middle East and North Africa, and the wider biosafety community across Africa. Your support, friendship, and shared commitment have shaped my journey in ways I’ll always value.” said Dr. Larbi in his acceptance speech.
He also thanked ABSA International for giving him the opportunity.
Elizabeth R. Griffin died in 1997 as a result of an ocular exposure to a macaque (monkey) virus that occurred while she was a primate research worker at the Yerkes Primate Research Center. Following Beth’s death, her family explored ways that they could prevent similar events from occurring while still demonstrating strong support for safe and responsible research. (https://ghss.georgetown.edu/ergp-2/#)
The Griffin family created a non-profit foundation in Beth’s name to fulfill this mission
In 2018, the ERG Foundation selected the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University to advance its research and education missions, launching a new era as the Elizabeth R Griffin Program (ERGP-CGHSS).
The African Biological Safety Association, congregates practitioners of biological safety for the promotion of biosafety and biosecurity and to facilitate the sharing of biosafety and biosecurity information in the African region.
It congregates practitioners of biological safety for the promotion of biosafety and biosecurity and to facilitate the sharing of biosafety and biosecurity information in the African region.
Its goals include:
- Expanding awareness of biosafety.
- Participating in the development of biosafety standards.
- Developing as a resource for professional and scientific expertise in biosafety.
- Advancing biosafety as a scientific discipline through education, research, and professional development.
- Developing and maintaining professional standards for biosafety professionals