This project will map global biosecurity talent pipelines to identify where expertise exists, where critical gaps remain, and how these vary across regions. The team will develop actionable recommendations to strengthen training pathways—especially in the global south—to support a more resilient and equitable global biosecurity workforce.
About the project
Biosecurity is rapidly evolving, yet many nations lack a clear understanding of their talent pipelines—where expertise is concentrated, where gaps exist, and what kinds of training pathways are needed to meet future challenges. This project seeks to build a global map of biosecurity talent pipelines, with an emphasis on understanding disparities between high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), emerging training models, and opportunities to strengthen the field through targeted interventions.
Project Goals
- Map existing training pipelines in biosecurity (universities, fellowships, government programs, NGOs, multilateral institutions).
- Identify capability gaps across regions and expertise areas (e.g., biosurveillance, lab biosafety, policy, threat assessment, governance).
- Analyze barriers to entry for students and professionals—funding, mentorship, access to training, regional inequities.
- Produce recommendations for strengthening global talent pipelines, especially in the global south.
Why This Matters Talent is one of the scarcest resources in global biosecurity. As technological, geopolitical, and biological risks evolve, the world needs a clearer understanding of where investments in training and mentorship could have the highest impact. SPAR’s expansion into biosecurity offers a unique opportunity to inform the future of talent development.
Theory of change
By strengthening global biosecurity talent pipelines—including skills in AI-governance, and biosafety/security integration for responsible innovation —this project develops the human capital needed to responsibly manage AI-enabled biological risk. A more robust and globally distributed workforce enhances society’s ability to evaluate, monitor, and govern transformative AI systems that intersect with the life sciences, ultimately reducing the likelihood that AI capabilities contribute to biological threats.
Your role
Mentees will conduct literature reviews, gather and analyze publicly available data, map institutions and training pipelines, and contribute to gap analyses and recommendations. They will have significant autonomy in shaping sub-questions, selecting regions or focus areas, and drafting sections of the final report, while receiving structured guidance and regular feedback.
Prerequisites
Biological Science background. Basic knowledge of biotechnology, microbiology, AI.
Location preference
Weekdays: 8-10 am or Monday/Friday: 7 pm-9 pm, Saturday: 10 am-12 pm; All times in EST US. I am generally flexible too.
Application question(s)
- Choose a country or region and describe one major barrier to developing a strong biosecurity talent pipeline there. Explain why you think this barrier is important and how you would begin to investigate it. (200 words)
- Review a publicly available fellowship, academic program, or training initiative related to biosecurity, global health security, or science policy in a LMIC and/or global south region. Briefly assess one thing it does well and one thing it could improve. Provide a link. (150 words)
- Describe a time when you independently structured a research question or project, even if small or informal. What steps did you take to organize your approach? (150 words)
About the mentor
Aparupa Sengupta
Nuclear Threat Initiaitive (NTI|bio) Global Biological Policy and Programs
View profileDr. Aparupa Sengupta is a scientist and global life science and technology policy expert specializing biosafety, security, and responsible bio-innovation & governance. Currently, she serves as a Senior Program Officer/Scientist at NTI | bio- based out of Washington, DC, where she leads the Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative—a portfolio focused on preventing biotechnology-driven catastrophes, particularly those emerging from AI–bio convergence. Before NTI, she served as the biosafety and biosecurity officer and Director of High Containment Research Laboratories at the University of California, Merced, earning the COVID-19 Hero Award for her leadership and service during the pandemic. Aparupa holds a PhD in biological sciences, master's degrees in molecular genetics/biotechnology and biotechnology, and professional certification as a Registered Biosafety Professional. Originally from India, she is a sought-after speaker on global biological threat reduction and is deeply committed to fostering responsible innovation, strengthening safety–security integration, and elevating global south perspectives in the future of biotechnology. She looks forward to supporting mentees who are eager to build impactful, thoughtful careers in biosecurity, specifically in the tech-enabled responsible biotech innovation and governance.