Organization

ChABSA Organization

ChABSA, the Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association is an incorporated, non-profit organization that is an affiliate of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) established in 1984.
ChABSA was established in 1987 by local area members of ABSA with a similar interest in the safety of research using microorganisms and recombinant DNA. Our members generally work in the metropolitan Baltimore - Washington - Virginia area.
ChABSA members include biosafety officers, researchers, teachers, corporate, academic, and government employees. Anyone interested in learning more about biosafety issues is welcome to join.
ChABSA is dedicated to expanding biological safety awareness and reducing the potential for occupational illness and adverse environmental impact from infectious agents or biologically derived materials.

ChABSA fosters and promotes professional and public awareness of biological safety through effective communication. This has become increasingly important in a decade where the use of biological agents or products by terrorists has become a reality.

ChABSA participates in the development of national and international biological safety standards, guidelines, and regulations.
ChABSA interacts with ABSA to help advance biologic safety as a scientific discipline and to maintain standards for biological safety professionals.

ChABSA Activities

ChABSA’s meetings are held every other month in the academic year and feature speakers addressing current topics of interest to the membership. Attendance outside of the membership is encouraged.

ChABSA members also have the opportunity to tour local facilities that feature state-of-the-art technology applicable to biosafety.

ChABSA provides an important local forum in which to share biological safety information and to represent the interests of persons involved with biological safety within its membership and with the membership of other organizations.

Individual Member: Any person with an interest in Biological Safety shall be eligible for Individual Membership. Individual Members shall be eligible to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and to enjoy other rights of the Association.
Student Member: A matriculated student with an interest in Biological Safety shall be eligible for Student Membership. Student Members shall not have the right to vote or hold elective office.
Corporate Member: Any company or organization with an interest in Biological Safety shall be eligible for Corporate Membership. Each Corporate Member may designate up to three persons as Individual Members. Each of these three individuals shall be eligible to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and to enjoy other rights of the Association. Corporate Members shall be eligible to present literature or appropriate displays at ChABSA meetings.