Message From the Vice Provost and Dean of Research of Stanford University

To: The Stanford Academic Community

This Biosafety Manual represents Stanford’s institutional best practices and required procedures for the safe use and handling of biological materials, recombinant DNA and synthetic nucleic acids at Stanford University. The experts in the EH&S Biosafety & Biosecurity Program revised this document in February 2023 based on the latest government regulatory requirements, guidelines and current professional standards.

Safety is a core value at Stanford and the University is committed to continued advancement of an institutional safety culture. Research excellence and safety are inextricably intertwined and the protection of researchers, the environment, and the broader community are an integral part of the responsible conduct of research. Thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone safe!

The Environmental Health & Safety Office, through the Biosafety & Biosecurity Manager, is responsible for monitoring individual principal investigators and laboratory facilities for adherence to the practices and procedures described in this manual. First and foremost, it is the responsibility of each principal investigator to ensure that all lab workers and students are familiar with the contents of this manual and are trained to recognize potential related hazards prior to the initiation of the research work. Your cooperation with the Administrative Panel on Biosafety and the Environmental Health & Safety Office is also essential to comply with the regulatory requirements that Stanford must follow.

If you have any questions regarding this document, please call the Research Compliance Administrator at 723-4697 or the Biosafety & Biosecurity Manager at 725-1473.

Sincerely,

Kathryn A. “Kam” Moler, PhD
Vice Provost and Dean of Research