2026 Conference Presenters

Brett Cole | Biosafety International

Brett has been working in environmental contamination control, public health and occupational hygiene for over 20 years. His formal qualifications are in Environmental Microbiology & Chemistry, Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology. His experience has been in Academic microbiological research, Medical devices for High Level Disinfection, Engineering controls for contamination abatement, materials handling, infectious and contaminated waste and facility microbial testing, decontamination, and remediation.

Sandy Ellis | Pond and Co

Mr. Ellis is Director of Architecture Life Sciences for Pond and Company.  He has over 30 years of diversified experience in complex life science, health and technology driven facilities and has extensive depth of expertise in laboratory functional programming, planning, design, construction, and management of technically complex laboratory projects world-wide.  In addition to his project commitments, he is a regular contributor of journal articles and public presentations to learn and contribute to the understanding of laboratory design and biocontainment principles.

Mr. Ellis’ experience includes high containment facilities, biomedical facilities, pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing laboratories, insectaries, large and small animal facilities.

JT Paulley | Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness; CSIRO

JT Paulley leads the Biorisk Management Group at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP). He earned his Ph.D. in 2007, specializing in bacterial pathogenesis. In 2010, he joined the U.S. Federal Select Agent Program, progressing to Deputy Operations Branch Chief before moving to ACDP in 2021. He now provides strategic advice on biorisk management across the Asia–Pacific region and training both within Australia and internationally. His expertise includes biosafety, containment laboratory design and decontamination. In addition, Dr. Paulley serves as a subject matter expert for a FAO Reference Centre on Biorisk Management and chairs ACDP’s Gain‑of‑Function Review Panel.

Simon Young |AES Environmental

Simon Young is a director specialising in the growth of engineering led manufacturing businesses. Representing AES Environmental, he works across product development, commercial strategy and international market expansion for filtration and life sciences equipment. His role spans operational oversight of manufacturing, leadership of sales and marketing activities, export development and close collaboration with engineering on new and bespoke containment solutions. Simon is an active contributor to the ME 080 Standards Committee, supporting industry dialogue on air filtration and containment compliance. His work centres on aligning engineering capability with market demand to support sustainable growth.

Colin Sakinofsky | L2D

Colin is a laboratory planner and architect with 31 years’ experience and leads a design firm called L2D.  He hails from the School of S2F – like many of you here.

Colin’s career is focused on delivering complex engineered buildings across a broad range of research, manufacturing and R&D typologies – including human, animal and plant models, along with chemical and biological and pivotal to teaching and learning.  This also includes nuclear, pharma and Data Centre design.

Robert Danko | ADP Consulting

Robert is a Mechanical Engineer and Associate Director with more than 25 years of experience in the building services industry, working across the life sciences, pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors. His work combines strategic planning with practical project delivery, supporting teams and clients through complex technical and operational requirements.

He focuses on clarifying project objectives, aligning multidisciplinary inputs, and guiding teams toward outcomes that meet project needs. His approach is grounded in clear communication, structured problem‑solving, and an understanding of the broader context in which building services operate.

Manon Sora Koestoer | HKS Asia Pacific Design Consulting

Manon Sora Koestoer is an IFBA-certified biosafety professional and architect with over two decades of experience in the design and planning of laboratories and research facilities across the United States and Singapore. His background spans founding and leading an architectural design practice to shaping high-performance, safe, and sustainable environments for science and innovation.

He has also contributed to the architectural profession through leadership roles within the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including serving as President of the AIA Southeast Asia Section, Country Representative for Singapore, and Adjunct Director for AIA International.

Bettina Bartos | BLP & Kiri Collins | Children’s Cancer Institute Australia

Kiri Collins is the Head of Built Environment & Infrastructure at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia. Her portfolio covers a diverse range of environments and services such as laboratory & facilities management, business continuity and operational strategy. She is also the President of the Australia and New Zealand Laboratory Animals Association.

Bettina Bartos, Principal at Billard Leece Partnership is a specialist laboratory designer. She has delivered complex research buildings for major Government organizations and Universities and leads the design of the new research facilities for the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia. She’s also a founding member of the Australian Chapter of I2SL (International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories).

Damian Alexander Honeyman| Kirby Institute

Damian Honeyman is a public health researcher, lecturer, and PhD candidate specialising in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and epidemic response. His research focuses on biosecurity and CBRNE threat detection using open-source intelligence, artificial intelligence, and machine learning methods. He has extensive experience in public health nursing, critical care, and clinical trials coordination, including leadership roles during the COVID-19 response. Damian holds Master’s degrees in Health Leadership and Management, Global Health, and Infectious Diseases Intelligence from the University of New South Wales, all awarded with excellence, and is a recipient of the David Cooper Scholarship from the Kirby Institute.

Julianne L. Baron | Science and Safety Consulting, LLC

Julianne L. Baron, PhD, CPH, RBP, CC is the President and Owner of Science and Safety Consulting, a woman-owned small business with specialized expertise in biosafety, biorisk management, public health, emergency preparedness, lab design, and training development. She obtained her PhD in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. Dr. Baron completed the prestigious National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program (NBBTP) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. She is Certified in Public Health, is a Registered Biosafety Professional, has professional certifications in both Biorisk Management and Cyberbiosecurity, and is Certified in Cybersecurity.

Lynda Boldt | The University of Melbourne

Lynda is the Gene Technology and Biosafety Officer at The University of Melbourne and a member of the University’s Biorisk Management (BRM) Team.  The BRM team provides centralised oversight and supports a university-wide Biorisk Management Program that covers biosafety, biosecurity and gene technology, providing specialised advice and assistance to both the University and several partner organisations.  Lynda is the primary contact for external regulatory bodies and acts as the University’s Biological Safety Officer and Responsible Officer (SSBA Scheme). Lynda earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at James Cook University and has a background in marine science and education

Danae Jeanes | Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Danae has been working with PC2 and PC3 facilities for almost a decade, and in recent years managing bio containment facilities for imported animals.

Detecting, investigating, and resolving an exciting array of issues has been a feature of her recent roles.

David Newell | Suncombe

Trained as a Controls Engineer at Rolls-Royce Aero Engines UK before moving to Australia 38 years ago. Has spent the majority of that time in Business Development and Management roles covering Australasia. Based in Sydney, Singapore and the Sunshine Coast. Industries involved with were predominantly Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage. The last 2 years have been with Suncombe in a similar role.  I am a very keen Sydney Roosters and Coventry City fan

Emma Ludwig | Hassell

Emma Ludwig is an Architect and approaches all her projects with a level of intrigue and optimism about what can be created. With over 15 years of industry experience, and as a trained Scientist, Emma has delivered a number of large scale laboratory buildings, and is experienced in planning through to delivery, with a particular focus on early stage engagement.

Having spent the early years of her career on site, Emma now has a deeper appreciation for the time-cost-quality relationship, consciously working towards producing the very best solution for her clients, while skilfully working alongside users to understand the way people experience buildings.

She remarks that she has met and worked with some of the most remarkable clients, and when their passion comes together, the results can change our world and theirs.

Sam Tung | Wood

Sam is the Principal Architect at Wood Life Sciences and has 20+ years of experience as a laboratory designer with a broad portfolio in the university, government and private sectors. The range of projects he has completed is extensive and includes projects in the R&D, healthcare and the pharmaceutical & biotechnology sectors. Sam has extensive knowledge in laboratory and containment facility (PC2/PC3) design and has a thorough understanding of user and regulatory requirements to translate the science into design solutions.

Richard Spence | MPI

Dr Richard Spence currently works as Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team Manager at the Animal Health Laboratory , Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand. Richard has responsibility for managing laboratory systems including biosafety, containment, engineering, QA, health and safety and procurement.Richard has a broad range of experience in diagnostic microbiology laboratories.

Riki Nelson | Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital

Riki Nelson is a respected tangata whenua leader with strong experience in environmental restoration, biosecurity, and community-led kaupapa across Tauranga Moana and the western Bay of Plenty. He is recognised for advancing hapū-led initiatives that restore native ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity, and promote kaitiakitanga in practical ways. As a tangata whenua member of Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital, Riki contributes mātauranga Māori perspectives to regional biosecurity leadership and collaborative environmental action. He is known for his grounded approach, commitment to future generations, and ability to bring people together for positive outcomes.

Matire Duncan | Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital

Matire Duncan is a respected tangata whenua leader with extensive experience in governance, Māori representation, and strategic partnerships across Tauranga Moana and the wider Western Bay of Plenty. She is widely recognised for advocating for equitable decision-making, stronger relationships between tangata whenua and local government, and outcomes that reflect intergenerational wellbeing. Her leadership spans housing, environmental stewardship, economic development, and community advancement. Known for her practical and collaborative style, Matire brings mana, clarity, and strategic insight to governance forums and community kaupapa

Rachel Gamble | Pond and Co

Rachel Gamble is the Director of Science & Technology at Pond and Company. She holds a Doctor of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (concentration in epidemiology and disease control). She has over 20 years of experience and has held leadership roles as an Associate Director of Biosafety and Biosecurity at Merrick, and as the Director of Environmental Safety and the high containment/select agent research facility at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Additionally, she held concurrent academic appointments as Assistant Professor in BCM's Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences at UTSPH.

Rachel holds multiple leadership roles within ABSA International, including ABSA Council Member, Editorial Board Member for Applied Biosafety Journal, Credentialing Evaluation Board Member, Scientific Planning Committee Member, and has been an instructor for ABSA's Risk Assessment course along with other pre-conference courses. Rachel is a founding member and past president of the Southern Biosafety Association and currently co-chairs FRaBSA's Outreach Committee.

Paul Mallaurino | Wood

Paul is currently employed by Wood as the CQV Lead / Lead Mechanical Engineer working on various projects across a wide range of industries. He has been heavily involved in the management of projects and design of HVAC systems and mechanical services for cleanroom facilities and biotechnology / pharmaceutical and bio containment laboratories projects in Australasia. • Cleanrooms • Laboratories • Animal Facilities • Pharmacies • Manufacturing • Glasshouses Whilst working at Wood, He has developed a specific expertise in the validation of cleanroom and GMP facilities to cGMP and the Verification of mechanical systems to a wide range of regulators (DAFF, OGTR, TGA).

Dr Anne-Sophie Brocard | ABSA International President 

Anne-Sophie Brocard, PhD, RBP, SM(NRCM), CBSP, CHMM, ASP, CSP

Adjunct Associate Professor

Anne-Sophie joined UTMB as a post-doctoral fellow in 2001 in pathology and transitioned to the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Biological and Chemical safety program in 2005.