DR MARIA J.ESPONA (Ph.D)

Biologist (1994)
Master in Terrorism Studies (2013) 
Doctor in Criminology (2019)


Dr Maria J. Espona is a biologist, holding a Master's in Terrorism Studies and a PhD in Criminology. She is currently doing her postdoctoral research at the University of Liège, focusing on biological weapons and disease surveillance through a One Health perspective.

As a professor, she teaches at universities in Argentina, Georgia, and Peru on topics including Information Quality, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) export control, dual-use research, and the responsible use of data.

Dr. Espona serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for multiple Health Security Partners and collaborates with NGOs on biorisk management and export control projects across Latin America and other regions. She is South America's EU P2P Regional Coordinator and works with SCK-CEN on export control initiatives. Previously, she contributed to EU-funded projects addressing CBRN issues and the export control of dual-use goods and technologies.

She is a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences and Dual-Use Research (TAG-RULS DUR) and also directs ArgIQ (Argentina Information Quality), an organization dedicated to enhancing information quality standards.