Kirsten brings deep expertise at the intersection of international biosecurity policy and technical science as a PhD-trained virologist. Before joining IBBIS, she served as Director of the Office of the Biological Policy Staff at the U.S. Department of State, and previously as Director for Biotechnology Risks and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation on the National Security Council in the White House.

Across her career, Kirsten has held multiple leadership roles within the U.S. Department of State, including leading biosecurity capacity-building efforts and advancing global health security initiatives. Her work has contributed to strengthening international cooperation, norms, and practices for responsible science and biotechnology governance.