Interview with Haley DeMers, Ph.D., RBP, Biosafety Laboratory Manager, Cape Fox Facilities Services supporting Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana
The “Career Pathways—Explore the Possibilities” series highlights different professions pursued by scientists like you. This interview focuses on a biosafety laboratory manager, someone who supports the biosafety and biocontainment programs. Dr. Haley DeMers was part of the National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program (NBBTP), which is now known as the NIH NBBTP/IRTA Fellowship. Read this interview with Dr. DeMers to learn more about her work as a biosafety laboratory manager at Rocky Mountain Laboratories.
What is your current role?
I am the biosafety laboratory manager at NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. I support the biosafety and biocontainment programs at RML, which includes the oversight of laboratories that range from biosafety level (BSL)-1 to BSL-4.
What is your favorite aspect of this role?
In the field of biosafety, every day brings a new adventure or challenge. RML is known for its cutting-edge infectious disease research. Even though I’m no longer on the benchtop, I still get to support science being done here on campus. We have a knowledgeable biosafety team at RML and a close relationship with the researchers. The scientific staff are involved in the safety decisions and by having that involvement, we establish creative safety solutions that are practical and still utilize the appropriate precautions.
Describe the transition from being a fellow in the NBBTP at NIH to working in your current role?
During the fellowship, I worked on multiple projects with various NIH campuses, including RML. I was able to collaborate on projects and develop a strong relationship with the RML biosafety team prior to joining in my current role. Overall, the transition to my current role from the fellowship was seamless. I had the knowledge and training from the fellowship to be successful in my new biosafety role.
How did your fellowship as part of NBBTP prepare you for your current role?
During the fellowship I gained a strong base knowledge of biosafety during the first year with courses, conferences, and onsite projects. I was able to use this foundation in my second year to work on developmental assignments at NIH and other locations to help the biosafety community and refine my practical skills. Part of my daily duties now are to perform risk assessments, safety surveys, laboratory training, and incident investigations. During my time in the fellowship, I was able to get hands on experience with these tasks and learn from multiple people on the best practices. Each organization faces its own challenges and there is no one size fits all approach to biosafety. In the fellowship, I saw multiple ways of doing the same thing and I use this experience to customize the biosafety program to best fit my institution’s needs.
What was your favorite part about being an NBBTP fellow and working at NIH?
The NBBTP fellowship gave me the biosafety knowledge and practical hands-on experience to succeed in the biosafety field but also gave me a community of other biosafety professionals with the NBBTP alumni and mentors. I also had the good fortune of meeting many key players in the biosafety community—now, I can reach out to my network for problem solving or best practices.
Do you have any advice for current NIAID fellows who are interested in the field of biosafety?
Reach out to others in the biosafety field. Each of us have a unique job and position in our organization. No two biosafety jobs are the same—find out more!
Is it okay if current NIAID fellows contact you with questions?
I’m happy to answer any questions that fellows may have. Feel free to email me at haley.demers@nih.gov.