Praxis Biorisk Systems
Developing and implementing biorisk management systems for governments, institutions, and private enterprise. Praxis Biorisk Systems is headquartered in Singapore, with clients in Singapore, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Capabilities
Training and consultancy in biosafety and biosecurity management
Biorisk management systems implementation
Laboratory certification audits
Gap analysis audits
Sustainable laboratory design
Curriculum development and training
Preparation of Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedure
Advisory support on cyber security related to biological safety and security risks
Dr Viji Vijayan
Director: Praxis Biorisk Systems
MBBS, MSc, MD, RBP, ACTA, MSc (Human Factors and System Safety)
I am a biorisk consultant with extensive experience and qualifications in biosafety and biosecurity. My unique set of skills enables me to develop and implement biorisk management systems with a distinctive practical approach. Training is my passion and I enjoy engaging workers at the sharp end. I teach practical solutions which combine my work experience with knowledge that I have acquired from industries including aviation, transportation, healthcare, and others.
My career began in a biomedical research laboratory, where I worked for about 10 years after which I switched to Research Operations and Laboratory Safety. I worked as Associate Professor and Associate Dean in the Duke-NUS Medical School for about 15 years overseeing, Safety, Health and Emergency Management; Research Integrity and Compliance; Procurement; and Research Operations, which included a high containment facility.
I consult in the field of biorisk management for various organisations like the European Union CBRN Centers of Excellence; World Health Organization through their partner agencies; and Global Affairs Canada though their projects in South East Asia. I have a WSQ Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) which specialises in adult training methodologies and a Master’s degree in Human Factors and Systems Safety from Lund University in Sweden.
Consultant for Health Security Partners [+]
Member (Biosafety Professional) of the World BioHaztec Pte Ltd Team—Singapore Ministry of Health Approved Facility Certification Body (MOH-AFCB).
Membership in Professional Organisations
• President of the Biorisk Association of Singapore (2014-2017), currently Lifetime Member
• Vice-President of the Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (2018-2021)
• First International Lifetime Member of Biorisk Association of the Philippines (2022-present)
• Member of Board of Directors of International Federation of Biosafety Associations (2017-2023)
• Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (Vice-President 2018-2021), currently Lifetime Member
• Member of American Biological Safety Association (2013-present)
Peer Reviewer for MDPI Journals
• Buildings
• Forests
• Healthcare
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Sustainability
Certifications
Registered Biosafety Professional by the American Biosafety Association (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026)
International Federation of Biosafety Associations Certified Professional in Biorisk Management and Risk Assessment (2022)
Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifier Basic (2022)
Publication Highlights
Crawford, E. G., Bobrow, A. Sun, L. Joshi, S. Vijayan, V., Blacksell, S., Venugopalan, G., & Tensmeyer, N.C. ‘Cyberbiosecurity in High-Containment
Laboratories’. Submitted to Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology [in press]
Samreen S. & Vijayan V. ‘Pakistan’s experience with risk assessment training and implementation of concepts from the 4th edition of the WHO laboratory biosafety manual.’ Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity (2021) Volume 3, Issue 2. 99–107 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobb.2021.09.002
Linster, M., Ng, B., & Vijayan, V. ‘COVID-19 and beyond: safety and design considerations for the development of a mobile biocontainment laboratory.’ Applied Biosafety: Journal of ABSA International (2020) Volume 25, Issue 3. 169-173 DOI: 10.1177/1535676020943394
Vijayan, V. ‘Managing biorisk linked to rapidly expanding SARS-CoV-2 research.’ Applied Biosafety: Journal of ABSA International, (2020) Volume 1, Issue 2. DOI: 10.1177/1535676020942354
Vijayan V. ‘Interview in: Safely conducting essential research in the face of COVID-19’ by Gewin, Virginia. Nature, (April 2020) Volume 580, Issue 7804. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01027-y
Vijayan, V.,& Smoker, A. J. ‘Exploring goal conflicts and how they are managed in a biomedical laboratory using Rasmussen’s Model of Boundaries.’ Applied Biosafety Journal of ABSA International (2020) 1-13. DOI: 10.1177/1535676020919624
Castriciones, E.V. & Vijayan, V. ‘Biosecurity risk mapping and gap analysis in South East Asia.’ Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity (2020) Volume 2, Issue 1. 36-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobb.2020.03.001.
Praxis: “exercise or practice of an art, science, or skill”
An approach that highlights the importance of putting concepts into practice, with pragmatic solutions that integrate safety into everyday work life.
Projects
Biorisk Management Dual Course (Upcoming)
A workshop to learn the essential skills for hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation in handling biological hazards +
This upcoming workshop is designed for staff at all levels in facilities dealing with microorganisms and toxins. The workshop covers international and national regulations, emergency management, and performance monitoring. The workshop aims to equip attendees to contribute to a secure work environment through comprehensive training on key aspects of Biorisk Management.
Interactive Biosecurity Workshop
A three-day workshop to learn the concepts of biosecurity in a fun and interactive way +
In collaboration with the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations and Health Security Partners (USA), Praxis Biorisk Systems conducted an effective three-day workshop on biosecruity concepts, including how to conduct a biosecurity threat assessment and find suitable mitigation measures. Through role-play and interactive discussions, the workshop brought across the concepts in an engaging manner.
Effective Biorisk Management through Knowledge-Skills-Abilities Tool
A three-part workshop to achieve the entire process of knowledge-skills-abilities in biomedical laboratories +
Training alone is not sufficient to ensure that briorisk is effectively addressed in the workplace. In order for the training to be fully implemented, skills and abilities need to be nurtured and developed. Praxis Biorisk Systems in partnership with Health Security Partners, USA, has developed a three-part workshop to achieve the entire process of knowledge-skills-abilities in biomedical laboratories. This has been implemented successfully in Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Biosafety and Biosecurity Risk Assessments
A series of highly effective workshops for both biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment +
Risk assessment is a key step in developing a sustainable biorisk management system. Institutions that own and operate biomedical labs should know how to perform these assessments and to identify locally available, sustainable mitigation measures. This is a passion that requires very active involvement of staff working in the laboratories. Praxis Biorisk Systems has developed highly effective workshops for both biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment and has conducted workshops in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa in partnership with Health Security Partners, USA, and World BioHaztec Singapore.
Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory Training
A three-day workshop with several interactive sessions that promote active learning +
A three-day workshop with several interactive sessions that promote active learning has been conducted in partnership with Health Security Partners, USA, and World BioHaztec Singapore. The topics covered include, design, engineering, administrative processes and performance monitoring for high containment laboratories.
Integrated Biorisk Management in High Containment Labs: Experience, Insights, and Learnings
A procedure to guide owners of High Containment labs throughout the development process +
There are five stages in developing a High Containment lab:
1) Needs analysis and requirement specifications
2) Design development
3) Construction/refurbishment
4) Biorisk management and operational processes development
5) Certification by international standards.
In partnership with World BioHaztec Singapore, Praxis Biorisk Systems has developed a procedure to guide owners of High Containment labs throughout the process especially Step 4, which requires training, help in developing the standard operating procedures, site specific training, etc to help them put in place all the processes needed to operate a safe and secure lab.
Biorisk Management for Rapid Response Laboratories (RRLs) in The Philippines and Vietnam
An introductory workshop for manufacturers and users of mobile and container laboratories +
Paxis Biorisk Systems led an introductory workshop in partnership with Health Security Partners (HSP), the BioRisk Association of the Philippines 2015 (BRAP2015), and the Vietnam National Center for Veterinary Diagnostics (NCVD), for manufacturers and users of mobile and container laboratories. Rapid Response Mobile Laboratories (RRMLs), many of which were originally created to conduct diagnostic testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been repurposed and are still widespread in the area. These RRMLs serve as a vital tool for quick and efficient detection, surveillance, and response to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including continued efforts to detect outbreaks of COVID-19.
Audits
• Certification of Biosafety Level 3 facility at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, contracted by World BioHaztec, May 2022
• Subject Matter Expert in ISO 35001-2019 Biorisk Management to provide expertise for Gap Assessment for Philippines Department of Agriculture, Regional Animal Disease diagnostic laboratories, contracted by Scilore LLC
• Subject matter expert in developing biosafety and biosecurity standards and auditing for Poliovirus Essential Facilities, contracted by Gryphon Scientific LLC
Get in touch
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