Join us for a keynote and panel discussion on Biosecurity and Health Emergency Preparedness in Today's Research and Development Landscape.
Friday, March 6, 2026
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Governing Council Chambers (Room 214, 2nd Floor), Simcoe Hall
27 King's College Circle | St. George Campus | University of Toronto
This in-person event is open to research faculty, clinicians, and professionals from industry, start-ups, not-for profits, training organizations, and government agencies. If you have any questions, please contact hi3@utoronto.ca.
This event features U.S. Navy CAPT Andrew Letizia (MD, MTM&H, FIDSA), who will provide a keynote address on biosecurity and health emergency preparedness, including a brief history, the opportunities, and current concerns as scientific knowledge and tools have become more powerful and accessible in enabling developments of dual-use technologies. The talk will highlight how advances in the life sciences intersect with ethical use considerations, public safety, and public policy, as well as what steps countries should take to strengthen health emergency preparedness to establish health security.
After his talk, CAPT Letizia will join a panel of experts to discuss holistic definitions and considerations for health security, emergency preparedness, and related concepts such as dual use technologies. The discussion will explore Canada’s approach to health security, drawing on diverse perspectives from research, clinical practice, and public policy, as well as the collective responsibility to balance innovation and openness with effective risk mitigation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these complex issues can impact research, public health, and national preparedness, and why addressing biological risks is increasingly important in our rapidly changing global environment.
Speaker Biography
Keynote and Panelist
CAPT Andrew G. Letizia, MD, MTM&H, FIDSA
Science Director, Naval Medical Research Unit INDO PACIFIC
CAPT Andrew G. Letizia, MD attended The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed his residency and an Infectious Disease Fellowship at Walter Reed and master’s degree in Tropical Medicine.
He completed clinical and research tours in Italy, Japan, and Ghana, and Washington DC. In the summer of 2021, he reported to Naval Medical Research Unit INDO PACIFIC in Singapore as the Science Director where he leads a team of 10 PhDs and 3 MDs conducting over $9 million worth of research annually in 11 countries.
CAPT Letizia is a practicing Infectious Diseases physician, Professor at Uniformed Service University and faculty at The National University of Singapore (NUS) with over 100 peer-reviewed publications including first authored research articles in The New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet Respiratory Medicine. He is a Fellow in the Infectious Disease Society of America and won multiple US military medals and achievements.
Full Panel Details Coming Soon!
We want your input!
Help shape the discussion. As part of your registration, we invite you to submit questions for the panel to explore. Questions or ideas can also be emailed directly to hi3@utoronto.ca.