Abstract Detail

Abstract

The global health landscape faces significant challenges in managing infectious diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources are limited, and health systems may be fragile. USAID has taken critical steps in aligning its global health programs with the latest U.S. government policy guidance, including the DURC/P3 policy, nucleic acid synthesis screening guidance, and the Global Health Security Strategy, while addressing the unique challenges of implementing these measures in low-resource settings. This presentation will explore how USAID integrates biosafety and biosecurity principles into its global programs in LMICs, ensuring the safe handling of biological materials by implementing partners, promoting internationally recognized standards such as ISO 35001, and applying tailored biorisk management frameworks to meet local needs. These efforts highlight USAID’s role in contributing to global health security by preventing the misuse of life science research and ensuring that health security initiatives are scalable, sustainable, and context-appropriate for LMICs.

Biography

Miranda Smith joined USAID in April 2024 as a Senior Global Health Security Advisor in the Emerging Threats Division of the Global Health Bureau. Before her current role, she served as the acting Director for Asia and the Pacific in the Office of Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to that, she was selected as a Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellow at the Department of State. Dr. Smith served for seven years as an active-duty pharmacy officer in the U.S. Air Force, where she earned a Master of Science in International Relations, focusing on national security and the East Asia Pacific region. Dr. Smith specializes in infectious disease management and antimicrobial stewardship. Her strategic planning expertise includes mass prophylaxis distribution, biodefense and security, and medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats. Dr. Smith is also certified in Biorisk Management by the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.