Membership - Join or Renew
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The Carolinas Biological Safety Association (CaBSA) is dedicated to providing educational and networking opportunities for Biological Safety Professionals in the Carolinas with the goal of promoting biosafety best practices in the workplace
This organization is a professional network of individuals with biosafety expertise connecting across the Carolinas and southern Virginia by meeting quarterly to discuss biological safety, engage speakers and tour laboratories and other areas of interest.
General leadership meetings will be hosted as a transaction of Association business and professional networking which may include:
Professional seminars
Network luncheons
Biological facilities tours
ABSA meetings
Our ByLaws (click here) can be downloaded for your review.
ELECTED VOLUNTEERS
Deborah Howard, PhD
CaBSA - President
Deborah Howard is the Expert, Global Environment, Health and Safety Biological Materials Manager at BASF, overseeing North and South American sites. With over 30 years of experience, she has managed biosafety, IBCs, IACUCs, and select agent regulations. Deborah previously served as Biosafety Manager at UNC Chapel Hill. An active ABSA member, she has led professional development and contributed to editing projects. Deborah also judges FFA convention projects and mentors BASF employees in biosafety and risk assessment.
deborah.howard@basf.com
Cathy Moore, PhD
CaBSA - Vice President
Cathy Moore is the UNC Charlotte Biosafety Officer with experience across higher education, hospitals, and high schools. Board member of the American Red Cross, Charlotte Metro Chapter. Provides leadership and expertise in clinical and biological laboratory work, including Select Agents. Adjunct Faculty for Responsible Conduct of Research. Holds a PhD in Biology and BE in Biomedical Engineering. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, supports research, and ensures best laboratory practices. Skilled in risk assessment, biosafety training, and laboratory facility design. Proven record in mentoring, business acumen, and effective communication at all organizational levels.
CathyMoore@charlotte.edu
Jessica Avizinis, MS, RBP
CaBSA - Treasurer
Jess Avizinis is the EHS Lead at Sanford Manufacturing Facility within Biotech Ops, PGS. With over 15 years in research and biosafety, she previously served as a Biosafety SME at Pfizer for 7 years, contributing to biotechnology projects, including gene therapy and the COVID vaccine. Jess has also worked as the Biosafety Officer at Brown University, participating in IBC and IACUC committees, and has experience in HAZMAT response, lab safety, and facility design. She is a member of the Scientific Program Committee for ABSA and published a chapter on biosafety with PDA. Jess holds a BS in Wildlife Conservation Biology, an MS in Medical Laboratory Science, and is a Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP).
jessica.avizinis@pfizer.com
Anita Harrell
CaBSA - Secretary
Anita Harrell has 15 years of experience in Occupational, Biological, and Laboratory Safety and is the North America Biosafety Manager at BASF, where she's worked for over 35 years. Before BASF, she worked at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, where she earned a Botany degree in 1983. Anita oversees the North American Biological Safety Programs and collaborates with site biosafety representatives, also participating in several global biosafety teams at BASF.
Zuzana Drobna, PhD
CaBSA - Membership Recruitment
Zuzana Drobna has a background in scientific research and safety management. Her expertise lies in toxicology, molecular biology, environmental science, synthetic biology, and cellular engineering. Previously, she served as a Biosafety Specialist at North Carolina Central University, where she oversaw the Biosafety Program, managed the Institutional Biosafety Committee, and contributed to the IACUC committee. Currently, Dr. Drobna holds the position of Safety Advisor Program Manager at North Carolina State University. Additionally, she actively participates in professional organizations, including the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA), Carolinas Biological Safety Association (CaBSA), and the Society of Toxicology (SOT).
zdrobna@ncsu.edu
Past Presidents - Kristin Long-Witter, Cathy Moore, PhD, Don Eddington PhD, Patrick Condreay PhD, & Deborah Howard, MPH CBSP