Meet the New CERA Advisory Board!

Daniel Chavez-Yenter, MPH, Ph.D., is a health communication researcher focused on reducing health inequities related to genetic testing service delivery for minoritized communities. He holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Utah, Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University. Daniel’s research interest seeks to combine communication, public health, and translational clinical research for Latino and other racial/ethnic groups and promote genetic testing equity among these groups. As such, Daniel uses a multidisciplinary lens to much of his research and multifaceted research methods (qualitative/quantitative) to tackle health inequities around genetic testing.

Ellen Clayton J.D., M.D. is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a founding member of its Standing Committee on Reproductive Health, Equity, and Society. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she is a Craig-Weaver Professor of Pediatrics, a Professor of Health Policy, a co-founder of the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, and a Professor of Law at Vanderbilt. Her research focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications of the conduct and translation of genomics research into clinical care. She is the co-PI of a transdisciplinary Center for Excellence in ELSI Research focusing on Genetic Privacy and Identity in Community Settings and of a project that seeks to define the legal framework for genomics. In addition, she has been involved in the eMERGE consortium assessing the impact of returning genomic results and is currently working on ethical issues in the development and use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In all this work, she is passionate about advocating for children, women, and families throughout society.

Shoumita Dasgupta, Ph.D. is a scientist educator, a Professor of Medicine, and an Assistant Dean of Diversity & Inclusion, working with M.D. and Ph.D. students in the diverse and inclusive higher education environment of Boston University. Her passion for genetics, genomic medicine, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring serve as the foundation for her supportive and creative leadership in the field. Dr. Dasgupta is a U.S. Department of State Fulbright Specialist, an inaugural faculty affiliate at the Ibram X. Kendi Center for Antiracism Research, and Past President of the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics. Dr. Dasgupta is the author of Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA.

Stacey Pereira, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Baylor College of Medicine Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy. Her research focuses on integrating genomics into clinical care. She also explores the use of polygenic risk scores in a variety of contexts including pre-implantation embryo screening and psychiatry. Dr. Pereira is an ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) section editor of Genetics in Medicine (GiM). In this capacity, she contributes to CERA collaborations with the journal, including the ELSI Journal Club.

Alham Saadat, M.S. is the Associate Director of Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) in Biomedical Research at the Broad Institute and the co-director of the Broad Bioethics Initiative, which fosters bioethical engagement within the Broad community. A scientist, ethicist, and community leader with 20 years of research experience at leading biomedical institutions, she provides expertise that aims to enhance biomedical research and its potential to positively impact patients, particularly for underserved communities. Through her work in community engagement, education, and advocacy—both at Broad and across Greater Boston—she strives to ensure that ethical considerations are embedded at every stage of biomedical research, shaping decisions that lead to more impactful health outcomes.

Wendy R. Uhlmann, M.S., LCGC is the senior genetic counselor/director of the Medical Genetics Clinic (adults) and Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Human Genetics at the University of Michigan. Her scholarship focuses on genetic counseling and on ELSI issues with predictive genetic testing (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease), return of research results and genetic testing outside of clinical settings (e.g. workplace wellness programs). She is a Past President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and co-edited the first two editions of the book used in graduate programs, A Guide to Genetic Counseling.