SPADA in Action: Metagenomics Publications and Future Directions

SPADA in Action: Metagenomics Publications and Future Directions

Monday, March 23, 2026

12:30 – 2:00 PM ET

This webinar will focus on SPADA’s historical impact, the impetus and deliverables from the working group’s most recent work in Metagenomics, and future work focused on AI and machine learning (ML) in biodefense and biosurveillance applications to aid in making actionable calls, identifying trends, and more.

You will learn about SPADA history, the most recent SPADA work in metagenomic sequencing, and the future work focused on AI/ML in biodefense and biosurveillance applications.

Agenda

Veronica Kays, AOAC INTERNATIONAL: Welcome and announcement of Consensus Vote Stage for SMPR.

Shanmuga Sozhamannan, PhD, Joint Research and Development Inc. supporting DBPAO: Introduction to the drivers for this current scope of work, introduction to the Working Group; Challenges in development of the standard guidance and SMPR: looking for the best science despite financial implications and challenges with database development (species/strain availability).

Sharon Brunelle, PhD, AOAC Technical Consultant: The development of the SMPR, rationale on it being a scenario-based SMPR as opposed to a general SMPR, differences with AmpSeq document

Joe Russell, PhD, MRI Global: Share an overview of the manuscript and describe the evolution to its current state and challenges associated with its development; State that the manuscript will set the foundation for additional standard development.

Kemper Talley, PhD, RTX BBN Technologies: Current work/experience in relation to AI/ML in NGS biodefense/biosurveillance applications of AI/ML in NGS, current challenges for implementing and utilizing the technology, and why it is essential for the processing and analysis of NGS data.

Sozhamannan: Speak to the Future State- Next steps for our grant: why we could not produce recommendations for minimal requirements, how these next standard(s) will fill in the gaps on these specific needs, how we will be integrating Dr. Talley’s work into our future grant.

Kays: Q&A

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