Biosafety

Biosafety

Our resources and expertise help assess and control biological hazards like recombinant and synthetic DNA, infectious agents, and human materials.

Our services include:

  • Biosafety and bloodborne pathogen program development and implementation
  • Training
  • Emergency response
  • Helping principal investigators (PIs) register biological projects
  • Containment facility design review
  • Safely handling biological agents, biological waste disposal, and decontamination information

Department Contact

Department Update

The Laboratories division of EH&S welcomes Marissa M. Cardwell, PhD, RBP as its new Associate Director of Biosafety. Marissa brings with her experience in biosafety from other high profile research-intensive universities and a background in infectious disease research. She will oversee a team of Biosafety Officers that serve Harvard research in both Cambridge and Boston and work closely with the Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS).

Did You Know?

There are safer options to using standard hypodermic needles and scalpels in research. Safer needle devices include retractable and re-sheathing needles, re-sheathing scalpels, needles that can be blunted after use, and many more. Consider if a safer sharp will work for your experiment or if a blunt needle can be substituted. For more information on safer sharps, visit Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Healthcare Wide Hazards Needlestick/Sharps Injuries.