The long-term objective of this Pathway to Independence Award (K99/ROO) is to train to become an independent researcher in bioethics with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in genetics and epidemiology. My research plan is to characterize ethical and social issues in genetic studies of complex traits and evaluate how and whether they differ from those in genetic studies of Mendelian traits. This research will enable current and future complex disease researchers and policy makers to understand and address these issues proactively.

Autism is a complex lifelong neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorder that manifests in infancy or early childhood. Although the causes are still unknown, the data suggest that autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are likely due to genetic and environmental effects. Differences in culture, socioeconomic status, environmental exposures, access to health care and other factors may influence the expression of the underlying genetic architecture and lead to alterations in prevalence and clinical severity.

H3Africa provides an unprecedented opportunity to study genetic and genomic technologies into research, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) in Africa. As such, involving a few African Centers already involved in the forefront of Sickle Cell Disease Research in Africa with moderate expertise on psychosocial research (Cameroon), newborn screening (Ghana) or genomics studies (Tanzania) could serves as a reservoir for rigorous examination of a wide range of accompanying ethical, psychosocial, cultural, and policy issues.