Advances in Global Disease Surveillance: An Introduction to BEACON

Join us for the highly anticipated launch of a new program at Boston University which merges emerging infectious diseases surveillance, a global network of moderators who are subject matter experts and the power of artificial intelligence and large language models, called Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network (BEACON). BEACON is informal outbreak surveillance program dedicated to the rapid collection, vetting, reporting, and analysis of information on emerging threats affecting humans, domestic animals, wildlife, plants and the environment globally. It is based at Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID) and operated in partnership with the Hariri Institute for Computing and Data Sciences at Boston University and HealthMap at Boston Children’s Hospital. Funded by National Science Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and through support from the University, BEACON is poised to become an irreplaceable global public good, now more than ever.

This event will be offered in a hybrid format. To register to view the Zoom webinar, visit: https://bostonu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wZgt1paASFqWjBSnBTUMuQ

Info: presented by Dr. Robert A. Brown, President Emeritus, Boston University

Info: Demonstration of the BEACON surveillance platform and its potential applications.

Info: presented by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Info: Reception for all speakers and attendees, with hors d'oeuvres, wine, and beer.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences, 665 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, United States