GES Center Lectures, NC State University

NSCEB REPORT: CHARTING THE FUTURE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY Zoom Only [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | Final Colloquium of the semester! Dr. Anastasia Bodnar will present an overview of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology’s recently published report, outlining key recommendations to accelerate biotechnology in the United States. * Download seminar flyer [https://ges.research.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Colloquium-04-22-25-Anastasia-Bodnar_full.jpg] * Charting the Future of Biotechnology [https://www.biotech.senate.gov/final-report/chapters/], NSCEB Final Report, 2025. ANASTASIA BODNAR, PHD Senior Policy Advisor for the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geneticmaize/] Dr. Anastasia Bodnar has over 20 years of U.S. military and federal government experience in science policy and science communication, including in regulatory policy, risk management, and public health. She currently leads policy development on agriculture and biotechnology product regulation as a Senior Policy Advisor for the NSCEB. Previously, she held several roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including as the Biotechnology and Bioeconomy Coordinator for the Department. Anastasia began her career in the U.S. Army, focusing on public health and integrated pest management, and entered civilian service as a Presidential Management Fellow at the National Institutes of Health. She has a PhD in plant genetics with a minor in sustainable agriculture from Iowa State University and a BS in biology from the University of Maryland, College Park. ABSTRACT While the United States is the home of modern biotechnology, our lead in research and development, innovation, and production of the most cutting-edge biotechnology breakthroughs is slipping. China is pulling ahead, and falling behind in this critical sector puts our economic, food, energy, infrastructure, and national security at risk. In its comprehensive report to Congress, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology assesses that time is running out to retain and cement our global leadership in biotechnology. We are falling behind fast, and catching back up won’t be an option. This report outlines an action plan to maintain our advantage in this critical domain, but only if we act now. The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. ---------------------------------------- GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill [skbarnhi@ncsu.edu] and Nourou Barry [nbarry@ncsu.edu], and we’re featuring a mostly student-led seminar series. Students will be taking the lead in identifying, inviting, and hosting most of the speakers, providing a great opportunity for them to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Withers 331. Your presence makes a big difference in creating a supportive environment for our students. Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] and on our GES Lectures podcast, [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-podcast] allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] and LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/]for updates. GENETIC ENGINEERING AND SOCIETY CENTER Colloquium Home [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium] | Zoom Registration [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | Watch Colloquium Videos [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/] | Newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co [https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co]

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: USES, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND OVERSIGHT Withers 331 + Zoom [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom%E2%80%9D] | Former GES Sr. Research Scholar Todd Kuiken returns from Washington, DC to explore the convergence of artificial intelligence with the biological sciences and the public policy issues addressing potential benefits and associated biosafety and biosecurity concerns. * Download seminar flyer [https://ges.research.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Colloquium-04-15-25-Kuiken_full.jpg] * Recommended reading: Biosecurity in the Age of AI, NASEM [https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2025/03/ai-tools-can-enhance-u-s-biosecurity-monitoring-and-mitigation-will-be-needed-to-protect-against-misuse] TODD KUIKEN, PHD Science & Technology Policy Analyst in the U.S. Congressional Research Service | Profile [https://crsreports.congress.gov/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtoddkuiken] Dr. Todd Kuiken has spent more than a decade analyzing and designing new research and governance strategies to proactively address the opportunities, risks and policy options associated with emerging science and disruptive technologies. He has advised, negotiated, and communicated with key federal, state, industry, academic, and nongovernmental stakeholders to help identify disruption points and policy gaps across a variety of emerging technologies enabling decision makers and broader publics to anticipate and govern emerging technologies. His current role as an analyst with the U.S. Congressional Research Service is to provide independent, non-partisan, comprehensive research and analysis for Congress on all legislative and oversight issues related to biotechnologies, artificial intelligence, fusion, biosafety, biosecurity, and the broader debates around public policy as it relates to science and technology. Prior to joining CRS, he spent five years as a senior research scholar at North Carolina State University’s Genetic Engineering & Society Center and eight years prior to that working as a senior research associate with the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program. ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence technologies, methodologies, and applications can, and have been, used throughout the biological sciences, including in engineering biology. This has enabled research and development (R&D) advances across multiple application areas and industries. For example, AI can be used to analyze genomic data (e.g., DNA sequences) to determine the genetic basis of a particular trait and potentially uncover genetic markers linked with those traits. It has also been used in combination with biological design tools to aid in characterizing proteins and for designing new chemical structures, including for drug discovery. AI can also be used across the scientific R&D process, including the design of laboratory experiments, protocols to run certain laboratory equipment, and other “de-skilling” aspects of scientific research. The convergence of AI and other technologies associated with biology can lower technical and knowledge barriers and increase the number of actors with certain capabilities. These capabilities have potential for beneficial uses while at the same time raising certain biosafety and biosecurity concerns. This talk will explore these capabilities and governance options to address both the potential benefits and risks; including recent U.S. Congressional and Executive Branch activities. The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. ---------------------------------------- GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill [skbarnhi@ncsu.edu] and Nourou Barry [nbarry@ncsu.edu], and we’re featuring a mostly student-led seminar series. Students will be taking the lead in identifying, inviting, and hosting most of the speakers, providing a great opportunity for them to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Withers 331. Your presence makes a big difference in creating a supportive environment for our students. Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] and on our GES Lectures podcast, [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-podcast] allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] and LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/]for updates. GENETIC ENGINEERING AND SOCIETY CENTER Colloquium Home [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium] | Zoom Registration [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | Watch Colloquium Videos [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/] | Newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co [https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co]

ALTERING TRAITS AND FATES OF WILD POPULATIONS WITH MENDELIAN DNA MODIFYING ALLELE SAILS: POSSIBLE CONTEXTS AND MODELING CONSIDERATIONS Zoom Only [//go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | How can we use genetics to manage wild populations, and how do the bioengineers working on these projects predict their impact? * Download seminar flyer [https://ges.research.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Colloquium-04-08-25-Johnson_full.jpg] * Johnson, M.L., Hay, B.A. & Maselko, M. Altering traits and fates of wild populations with Mendelian DNA sequence modifying Allele Sails [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50992-9]. Nat Commun 15, 6665 (2024). MICHELLE JOHNSON Research Technician at Caltech | LinkedIn ["https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnson-1871a0154/”] Michelle Johnson (he/him) is a research technician working with Dr. Bruce Hay at Caltech. The lab is interested in using genetic technologies to control the composition and fate of wild populations. Specifically, they work on designing and characterizing novel gene drive systems in different species. Michelle is a computational biologist and spends most of his time designing models, writing software, and describing the effect of novel gene drive systems on various populations. He is especially interested in how the inclusion and exclusion of certain model features can impact results. Michelle graduated from Harvey Mudd College with a BS in Mathematical & Computational Biology in 2023 and has worked with Bruce Hay since then. ABSTRACT Population-scale genome modification can alter the composition or fate of wild populations. Synthetic gene drives provide one set of tools, but their use is complicated by scientific, regulatory, and social issues associated with transgene persistence and flow. We have proposed an alternative approach, called an Allele Sail. It consists of a genome editor (the Wind), which is inherited in a Mendelian fashion. This editor introduces DNA sequence edits (the Sail), which experiences an arithmetic, Super-Mendelian increase in frequency. Through modeling, we demonstrate this system’s ability to bring about both population modification and suppression. A relatively simple system, Allele Sails may prove useful since the spread and persistence of the transgenic component can be limited. We outline contexts where Allele Sails could be useful and briefly discuss the modeling field and perspectives on modeling for risk assessment. ---------------------------------------- The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill [skbarnhi@ncsu.edu] and Nourou Barry [nbarry@ncsu.edu], and we’re featuring a mostly student-led seminar series. Students will be taking the lead in identifying, inviting, and hosting most of the speakers, providing a great opportunity for them to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Withers 331. Your presence makes a big difference in creating a supportive environment for our students. Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] and on our GES Lectures podcast, [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-podcast] allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/]for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium] | Zoom Registration [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | Watch Colloquium Videos [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/] | Newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co [https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co]

QUESTIONING THE ACCOUNTING IMPULSE IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Withers 331 + Zoom [//go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom”] | Using a practice-centered approach to analyze the rise and implications of environmental accounting. * Download seminar flyer [https://ges.research.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Colloquium-04-01-25-Ghosh_full.jpg] RITWICK GHOSH, PHD Assistant Professor of Environmental Governance at NC State University | Profile [https://cnr.ncsu.edu/directory/rghosh9/] | LinkedIn [//www.linkedin.com/in/ritwickg/] Dr. Ritwick Ghosh is an Assistant Professor in Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University. Ritwick studies and teaches environmental governance, with expertise in the role of markets in advancing sustainable land practices. Ritwick is a deeply interdisciplinary scholar and contributes to the fields of political ecology and science and technology studies. Before joining NCSU, Ritwick held positions at the University of Denver, New York University, and Arizona State University. Ritwick received his Masters and PhD from Cornell University. ABSTRACT Environmental accounting is increasingly a central theme in the sustainability discourse. Whether in the form of cost-benefit analysis, carbon disclosures, or economic valuation of nature, accounting is presented as a critical step toward improving policy processes and public accountability. Yet, this rise in environmental accounting has also sparked a critical debate within political ecology and science and technology studies (STS) on what is being counted and how accounting tools are reshaping environmental institutions. In this presentation, I draw on my past work on environmental market policies in the US and India to outline a practice-based approach to the study of environmental accounting. I hope to show that there is an important performative dimension to the accounting impulse. Measurement and quantification may enhance transparency, but at the same time, ever more elaborate forms of quantification also serve to delay, distract, and limit progressive environmental actions. ---------------------------------------- The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill [skbarnhi@ncsu.edu] and Nourou Barry [nbarry@ncsu.edu], and we’re featuring a mostly student-led seminar series. Students will be taking the lead in identifying, inviting, and hosting most of the speakers, providing a great opportunity for them to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Withers 331. Your presence makes a big difference in creating a supportive environment for our students. Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] and on our GES Lectures podcast, [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-podcast] allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/]for updates. GENETIC ENGINEERING AND SOCIETY CENTER Colloquium Home [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium] | Zoom Registration [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | Watch Colloquium Videos [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/] | Newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co [https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co]

IS THE SPIRIT OF ASILOMAR STILL HAUNTING BIOTECHNOLOGY? Withers 331 + Zoom [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom%E2%80%9D] | An overview and analysis of my experience at the 2025 The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology Summit * Download seminar flyer [https://ges.research.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Colloquium-03-25-25-Barnhill_full.jpg] KATIE BARNHILL, PHD Associate Director of Programs and Engagement, GES Center, NC State University | Profile [https://ges.research.ncsu.edu/about/faculty-directory/katie-barnhill/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-barnhill-b838971b9/%E2%80%9D] Dr. Katie Barnhill is the Associate Director of Programs and Engagement for the Genetic Engineering and Society Center. As an interdisciplinary social scientist, Katie integrates experience and training in environmental science, policy, and governance with the critical tools of science, technology, and society studies. She uses these tools to organize, facilitate, and empirically study stakeholder engagement activities such as workshops to create justice-oriented and inclusive decision-making spaces about the potential use of biotechnology tools that may be released into shared environments. ABSTRACT Since the 1975 Asilomar Conference, where experts gathered to discuss what to do about then-new production of recombinant DNA molecules, much ink has been spilled about the successes, failures, and disruptions (or not) of the summit itself. 50 years after the now-famous Asilomar Conference, science historians organized a follow up summit, providing “an opportunity to reconvene and look towards the future, [but] the summit’s aim [was] to grapple with the past — aware of its accomplishments, limitations, and failures — so as to better engage with the issues of the present.” So, how did it go? For this presentation, I will reflect on my experience at the summit as a participant and fundamentally pose the question, is the Spirit of Asilomar still haunting biotechnology? Related links: * The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology Summit [https://www.spiritofasilomar.org/] ---------------------------------------- The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill [https://pinecast.com/dashboard/podcast/ges-center-lectures-ncsu/mailto:skbarnhi@ncsu.edu] and Nourou Barry [https://pinecast.com/dashboard/podcast/ges-center-lectures-ncsu/mailto:nbarry@ncsu.edu], who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium meets weekly on Tuesdays from 12-1 pm via Zoom [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom], with national/international guests joining us remotely, and local in-person guests every other week in Withers 331. GENETIC ENGINEERING AND SOCIETY CENTER Colloquium Home [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium] | Zoom Registration [https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloq-zoom] | Watch Colloquium Videos [http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/gescenter/] | Newsletter [http://eepurl.com/c-PD_T] GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co [https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co]