BCFPA 2025 Virtual Annual General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 5:30-6:45 pm
Location: Zoom (Virtual)*
Registration: Free for BCFPA members
*Registrants will be sent a Zoom link reminder 1 to 3 days before the actual event. Your event registration receipt will also contain the Zoom link for added convenience.
We highly encourage you to register and participate at our AGM and listen to your BCFPA board members as they go through last year's 2025 AGM Report and other business.
We are accepting nominations to run in our 2026 Executive Board. If you are interested in volunteering, please send us an email! We are always looking for volunteers!
2025 AGM Report and Agenda - TBA
From Wetlands Mud to Barn Air: New Frontiers in Flu Detection
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Kevin Kuchinski, Director of Genomics, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Plant and Animal Health Centre
Speaker Bio: Dr. Kevin Kuchinski is the Director of Genomics at the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Plant and Animal Health Centre. He completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia and previously led viral genomics research projects at the BC Centre for Disease Control. His work focuses on developing novel laboratory and computational tools to improve surveillance of high consequence viral diseases. Dr Kuchinski’s expertise bridges wildlife, environmental, and agricultural health systems, advancing genomics enabled approaches that strengthen pathogen detection and biosecurity across British Columbia.
Talk Summary: Avian influenza continues to impact animal health and food security in British Columbia, demanding smarter and more proactive surveillance strategies. This talk will explore how innovative genome sequencing is transforming early detection by integrating testing from wild animals with environmental sources, including sediment from wetland habitats and air filters from poultry barns. Attendees will learn how these complementary surveillance systems enhance our ability to track avian influenza and strengthen biosecurity in BC’s agrifoods sector.
Schedule:
5:30 pm - Opening Remarks
5:35-6:05 pm - Speaker: Kevin Kuchinski – “From Wetlands Mud to Barn Air: New Frontiers in Flu Detection”
6:05-6:20 pm - Q&A
6:20 pm - AGM Business
6:45 pm - Closing Remarks
For more information and to register, visit our website: https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca
For any questions, please contact us at info@bcfoodprotection.ca
