Update: Biosafety in Action Photo Contest Winners Announced!
We are pleased to announce the winners of this year's contest and recognize their creativity and contributions to promoting a strong culture of biosafety at UMD. We extend our sincere appreciation to all participants for sharing their photos and helping make this event a success. Thank you all for your continued commitment to biosafety and research safety at UMD!
Congratulations to our winners!
First Place - Jordy Samuels and Dawn Jackson, Department of Laboratory Animal Resources
DLAR: Working Hard for the Heroes
Second Place - Sagar Khulape Department of Animal & Avian Sciences
Biosafety by design, protection by practice
Third Place - Fernanda Ferrarini, Department of Anthropology
Fernanda demonstrates proper PPE use in the Archaeogenetics Laboratory’s clean room to prevent modern DNA contamination of ancient samples
New Academic Year. New Biosafety Manual. New Momentum for Biosafety Culture.
October is Biosafety and Biosecurity Month, an opportunity for institutions across the country to highlight the importance of biosafety and biosecurity, promote stewardship and engagement, and support responsible and ethical research.
This year, UMD is celebrating Biosafety and Biosecurity Month with the theme “New Academic Year. New Biosafety Manual. New Momentum for Biosafety Culture.” The American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) 2026 Biosafety and Biosecurity Month theme, “Enhancing Biosafety and Biosecurity Through Technology,” recognizes the growing role of technology in strengthening how biological risks are prevented, detected, and managed.
At UMD, Biosafety and Biosecurity Month is also an opportunity to celebrate the people and practices that make a strong culture of biosafety possible.
Biosafety in Action Photo Contest
Show Us What Biosafety Culture Looks Like at UMD
Through the Biosafety in Action Photo Contest, we aim to engage the campus community, showcase biosafety in action, and highlight how students, faculty, and staff contribute to a safe, responsible, and collaborative research environment.
Contest Details
Eligibility: Open to UMD students, faculty, and staff
What to Submit: An original photo that reflects biosafety in action, along with a short caption describing the photo and how it represents biosafety culture
How to Submit: Email the photo, caption, name, and UMD affiliation to biosafety@umd.edu
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Awards
- 1st Place: $75 Terrapin Express
- 2nd Place: $50 Terrapin Express
- 3rd Place: $25 Terrapin Express
- Participation gifts will also be available.
Selection Criteria: Relevance to biosafety culture, creativity/originality, and overall impact
Submission Guidelines
- Photos should reflect safe and appropriate practices and should not include confidential or sensitive research information.
- Individuals shown in submitted photos should be aware of and agree to the submission and potential use of the photo in UMD and ESSR communications.
- Submitters must have taken the photo or have the right to submit it. By submitting a photo, participants grant UMD and ESSR permission to use the photo for educational, outreach, and promotional purposes.
- Winners will be notified by email.
Contact: For questions about the Biosafety in Action Photo Contest, contact biosafety@umd.edu.
