2024 Plenary Session and Keynote Videos
Monday, December 2
Welcome Remarks — Dr. Brandi Vann
Dr. Brandi Vann, performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, delivers opening remarks during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Dr. Vann discussed how investing in partnerships, innovations, and capabilities will give the U.S. an advantage against emerging threats.
Welcome Address — Mr. Ian Watson
Mr. Ian Watson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense, provides a welcome address during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Mr. Watson detailed how the new CBDP strategy, which better aligns the CBDP with the national defense strategy, acts as a “North star” in guiding the CBDP into the future.
Conference Opening — Dr. Robert Kristovich
Dr. Robert Kristovich, Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office Director, kicks off the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Dr. Kristovich discussed how crucial CB Defense is to the nation and urged attendees to develop capabilities that “Focus Forward” toward the future.
DTRA RD Overview — Dr. James “ Ben” Petro
Dr. James “Ben” Petro, Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Research and Development (RD) Directorate, speaks during the 2024 CBD C&T Conference. Dr. Petro discussed DTRA RD advancements and strategic objectives within the chem-bio defense landscape.
DTRA JSTO Portfolio Overview — Enabling S&T Division
Dr. Richard Schoske, Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office Enabling S&T Division Chief, provided an update on his division’s portfolio during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference of more than 1,700 scientists, program managers, and leaders from across the globe to find solutions for the future fight.
DTRA JSTO Portfolio Overview — Physical S&T Division
Dr. Charles Bass, Director, Physical Science and Technology (S&T) Division, speaks during the 2024 CBD C&T Conference. Dr. Bass provided attendees with an overview of the S&T portfolio on hazard detection, protection, and hazard mitigation, to more than 1,700 scientists, program managers, and leaders from across the globe.
DTRA JSTO Portfolio Overview — Medical S&T Division
Dr. Erin Reichert, Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office Medical S&T Division chief, provides an overview of the division’s portfolio during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. The 2024 CBD S&T Conference brought together more than 1,700 scientists, program managers, and leaders from across the globe.
DTRA JSTO Portfolio Overview — Enabling S&T Division
Mr. Thomas Yuzuik, DTRA’s Strategic Engagements Division Chief, speaks during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. The division seeks to establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with the chem-bio defense community to better protect the warfighter, our allies, and the nation.
Tuesday, December 3
Keynote — Mr. Max Brooks
Max Brooks, author, actor, senior fellow at the Modern War Institute, U.S. Military Academy, speaks during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference that brought together more than 1,700 scientists, program managers, and leaders from across the globe.
Special Session: The Future of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program
Mr. Ian Watson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense, Dr. Robert Kristovich, Defense Threat Reduction Agency Joint Science and Technology Office Director, and moderator Ms. Melissa Tune, Public Affairs Chief at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, discussed the state of the chemical and biological defense enterprise during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Video coming soon.
Wednesday, December 4
Kickoff Speaker — Dr. Robert Pope
Dr. Robert Pope, Director of the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, speaks about the CTR program during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Dr. Pope spoke about the importance of the CTR program and its role in the chem-bio defense mission space.
Keynote — Dr. Peter Hotchkiss
Dr. Peter Hotchkiss, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Office of Strategy and Policy Science Policy Advisor, speaks about the importance of chemical and biological defense during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Dr. Hotchkiss discussed the OPCW’s role in preventing chemical weapons attacks across the globe.
Special Panel Session — Focus Forward: A Warfighter’s Perspective
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Barbara Cloutier, Defense Threat Reduction Agency Joint Science and Technology Office Strategic Engagements Division Medical Integrator, moderates the “Focus Forward: A Warfighter’s Perspective,” panel during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. During the panel, warfighters from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and National Guard, discussed current and emerging chem-bio defense S&T and how it affects them in the field. The panelists spoke from their perspective in terms of attending JSTO concept technology events. Video coming soon.
Thursday, December 5
Keynote — Mr. Michael Bailey
Mr. Michael Bailey, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center Director, delivers remarks during the 2024 CBD S&T Conference. Mr. Bailey spoke about Army Futures Command and DEVCOM CBC’s ongoing task to prepare soldiers to combat against current and emerging chemical and biological threats.
