Event Details

Intended Audience: Microbiologists, laboratory scientists, infectious disease physicians, public health clinicians, researchers, academia working in infectious disease.

By the end of this event, participants will be able to:

• Describe the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Preclinical Model and Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN) , including capabilities and capacity.
• Describe the “gold standards” of Nipah virus animal models and standardized assays for assessment of Nipah immunogenicity.
• Discuss challenges associated with the assay transfer to other laboratories and quality systems implementation in the Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) environment.

Dr. Ali Azizi, PhD has successfully led and managed numerous international vaccine projects from pre-clinical stages through commercialization. He has an extensive publication record and has received several research awards. Before joining the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Dr. Azizi worked in both academic and industrial settings, including 12 years at Sanofi Pasteur, where he served as Deputy Director. Currently, he works at CEPI’s Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) as a Technical Lead, overseeing the development and validation of standardized clinical assays, the transfer of assays to partner laboratories, and the testing of clinical samples. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University, where he teaches graduate-level courses.

Dr. Trevor Brasel, PhD currently serves as Head of Preclinical Models at Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). In this role, he leads support for a network of 20 preclinical laboratories across the globe that specialize in infectious disease and vaccine research, including emerging  Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4 pathogens). Prior to joining CEPI, Dr. Brasel was an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston where he worked in the Galveston National Laboratory focused on implementation of quality systems in BSL-4 environments and medical countermeasure development and testing for high consequence pathogens, primarily Ebola and other filoviruses.

Dr. Selorm Avumegah, PhD is a global health and translational research expert with over 15 years’ experience advancing vaccines and infectious disease solutions from discovery to early phase clinical development. He currently serves as Programme Lead for Biospecimen Sourcing Initiative and Preclinical Expert at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), shaping global strategies across epidemic threats including Nipah, Mpox, Marburg and SARS-CoV-2. His work spans disease prevention, biospecimen and data stewardship. Widely published in The Lancet, Nature Health and BMJ Global Health, he is a trusted advisor to global health institutions and policymakers.

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

Other colleges, including the College of Family Physicians of Canada, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario and the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, may accept RCPSC accredited events on a per-hour basis. Please contact your relevant college should you have any questions.

In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check "Yes" beside the question "Do you require CME credits?" on the registration form.

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.