Summary of expertise, experience, and affiliations and interests: Advisory Committee on Human Pathogens and Toxins

Members of external advisory bodies (EABs) must disclose information about expertise, experience, and affiliations and interests relevant to the group's mandate as declared by members. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) considers these declarations as part of the appointment/membership process.

The following information includes a summary of expertise, experience, affiliations and interests from members of the Advisory Committee on Human Pathogens and Toxins.

Member responses

Chair: Dr. Margo Moore

Voting members:

• Ms. Ingrid Abbott-Permell
• Mr. Kevin Cassidy
• Dr. Ayush Kumar
• Dr. Momar Ndao
• Dr. James Scott
• Dr. Manal Tadros
• Dr. Lionel Berthoux
• Dr. Jason Kindrachuk
• Ms. Rebecca McGirr
• Dr. Chandrika Senthilkumaran
• Dr. Paul Van Caeseele

Chair

Dr. Margo Moore

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Toxins
• Sector:
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Members

Ms. Ingrid Abbott-Permell

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Toxins
  • Public health
  • Biosafety and biosecurity
• Sector:
  • Private industry/business
  • Vaccine manufacturing
• Experience:
  • Risk assessment, large scale production of pathogens and toxins
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES- I hold a few stock from Sanofi Pasteur which were offered to all employees for purchase.
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES - I have attended Biosafety conferences and training which were paid for by my previous employers as part of my professional development.
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       YES - I am a member of ABSA International and volunteer on the Technical Review Committee
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Mr. Kevin Cassidy

• Expertise:
  • Virology
  • Bioethics
• Sector:
  • Public company (retired)
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES - Previously employed by and own stock in the public company, Microbix Biosystems Inc. The company develops and manufactures infectious disease products.
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       YES - Previously employed by and own stock in the public company, Microbix Biosystems Inc. The company develops and manufactures infectious disease products.
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Ayush Kumar

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
• Sector:
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Momar Ndao

• Expertise:
  • Parasitology
  • Communicable diseases
  • Public health
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Human medicine
• Sector:
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. James Scott

• Expertise:
  • Mycology
• Sector:
  • Private industry/business
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES - Full-time tenured professor at University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and sole owner of Sporometrics Inc.; Director of the gage Research Institute/UAMH Centre for Microfungal Biodiversity. I teach a graduate-level course in the Master in Public Health Program in Biosafety and Biosecurity.
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       YES - Consulting: Dynacare Medical Laboratories.
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       YES - Member: University of Toronto Biosafety Committee, School of Public Health Curriculum Committee
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       YES – Co-author of Public Works and Government Services Canada Legionella Testing Guideline.
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       YES – Board member - American Industrial Hygiene Association Proficiency Testing Program.
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Manal Tadros

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Mycology
  • Epidemiology
• Sector:
  • Hospital
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Clinical
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Lionel Berthoux

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Virology
• Sector:
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
    4. Within the last five years, affiliations, partnerships or research collaborations that could lead to the transfer of information related to the Committee’s mandate to third party or international governments, militaries, or organizations.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Jason Kindrachuk

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Communicable disease
  • Public health
• Sector:
  • Academic
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Clinical
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES - I am a standing member on multiple WHO working groups for monkeypox and SARS-CoV-2. Regarding monkeypox, I sit on the guideline development group for clinical management and infection prevention and control.
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       YES - I have consulted for the federal government as an Expert witness in SARS-CoV-2 and virology for COVID-19 litigation.
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
    4. Within the last five years, affiliations, partnerships or research collaborations that could lead to the transfer of information related to the Committee’s mandate to third party or international governments, militaries, or organizations.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Ms. Rebecca (Becky) McGirr

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Biosafety and biosecurity
  • rDNA technologies
  • Viral vectors
• Sector:
  • Private company
• Experience:
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES – I am currently employed by Sanofi Pasteur Limited (Toronto), and own company stock.
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       YES – I travelled to the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 ABSA Annual Conference (paid for by current employer)
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
    4. Within the last five years, affiliations, partnerships or research collaborations that could lead to the transfer of information related to the Committee’s mandate to third party or international governments, militaries, or organizations.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       YES – I provided, via PHAC, input on the updates to the WHO's polio containment standard, GAPIV.
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       YES – As a Technical and Regulatory Review committee member, I review proposed Legislative changes (e.g., changes to WHO’s GAPIII Polio containment program, review and feedback on 6^th edition of the BMBL) and provide comments to the committee as appropriate. As a member of the Pharmaceutical Biosafety Group, I engage in industry benchmarking on various biosafety topics.
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Chandrika Senthilkumaran

• Expertise:
  • Virology
  • Prions
  • Public Health
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Lab Animal Science
• Sector:
  • Provincial Government
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
  • Risk Assessment
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. c. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       NO
    4. Within the last five years, affiliations, partnerships or research collaborations that could lead to the transfer of information related to the Committee’s mandate to third party or international governments, militaries, or organizations.
       NO
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO

Dr. Paul Van Caeseele

• Expertise:
  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Virology
  • Parasitology
  • Communicable diseases
  • Public health
  • Human medicine
• Sector:
  • Academic
  • Provincial Government
• Experience:
  • Diagnostic
  • Fundamental or Applied Research
• Interests:
  • Direct financial interests
    1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
  • Indirect financial interests
    1. Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
       NO
    2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body.
       NO
    3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making.
       NO
  • Intellectual interests
    1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization, or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO
    2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view or promotion of a product relevant to the Committee's mandate.
       YES – Part of CPHLN that partners with Office of Biosecurity
    3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups.
       YES – Association of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Canada)
    4. Within the last five years, affiliations, partnerships or research collaborations that could lead to the transfer of information related to the Committee’s mandate to third party or international governments, militaries, or organizations.
       YES – Activities within CPHLN
  • Other
    1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation. For example, prior activity that may create a reasonable apprehension of bias, or access to confidential information on a matter of relevance to the Committee's mandate.
       NO