Rome, 20 March 2025 – The activities within the framework of EU CBRN CoE Project 100 – Strengthening of Front Line Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in South East and Eastern European Region continue this week in Italy, under the coordination of the CBRNe Master Courses – University of Rome Tor Vergata and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The day of Thursday, March 20th, was marked by a rich and high-level program, combining advanced academic training and field visits to a key national biosafety institution.
In the morning, the participants attended lectures at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, featuring two distinguished international experts:
• Professor Jean-Luc Gala, Director of the Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), and expert consultant for the United Nations and the Belgian Government in biological threats and crisis response. Prof. Gala is also a member of the PASAG (Protection and Security Advisory Group) of the European Commission.
• Dr. Stef Stienstra, senior advisor in public health and biodefense, with extensive experience in EU-funded programs and CBRN training initiatives. A visiting professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and lecturer at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Dr. Stienstra brings decades of scientific and operational expertise in biochemistry, infectious diseases, and biosafety.
In the afternoon, the delegation was hosted by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” – IRCCS, a key reference center for infectious diseases and biothreat preparedness in Italy and Europe.
The visit was opened by Dr. Fabrizio Maggi, Director of the Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, followed by interventions from:
• Prof. Enrico Girardi, Scientific Director of the INMI “L. Spallanzani”, and
• Dr. Daniele Lapa, Senior Biologist at the Institute.
Participants had the opportunity to visit state-of-the-art laboratories and newly established clinical wards, gaining firsthand insights into the Institute’s ongoing efforts in biosafety, diagnostics, and high-containment infectious disease management.
The visit to Spallanzani highlighted the importance of cooperation between academic, governmental, and clinical institutions in strengthening national and regional resilience to biological threats, fully aligning with the objectives of Project 100. The Institute’s long-standing role in responding to major epidemics – including HIV, Ebola, SARS, MERS, and more recently COVID-19 – exemplifies best practices in biosafety and biosecurity applicable across the SEEE region.
This joint activity represents another concrete step towards the enhancement of Front Line Biosafety and Biosecurity capacities through knowledge sharing, expert networking, and institutional collaboration.
The University of Rome Tor Vergata and the Master CBRNe team remain strongly committed to supporting the implementation of EU CBRN CoE Project 100 through high-impact training and operational engagement.
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