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Social and Behavioral Research Branch

The Social and Behavioral Research Branch has the overarching and broad objective to investigate social and behavioral factors that facilitate translation of genomic discoveries for health promotion, disease prevention and health care improvements.

This research encompasses four conceptual domains:

• Testing risk communications
• Developing and evaluating behavioral interventions
• Using genomic discoveries in clinical practice
• Understanding social, ethical and policy implications of genomic research

Applied Social & Behavioral Research in the Era of Genomic Medicine: Agenda and Webcast
Inaugural Forum of NHGRI's Social and Behavioral Research Branch

Principal Investigators

Colleen McBride, Ph.D.
Branch Chief
Head, Public Health Genomics Section

Barbara Bowles Biesecker, M.S.
Head, Genetic Services Research Unit
Director, JHU/NHGRI Genetic Counseling Training Program

Vence L Bonham, Jr., J.D.
Public Health Genomics Section
Chief, Education and Community Involvement Branch

Donald W. Hadley, M.S., C.G.C.
Public Health Genomics Section
Associate Director, Office of Clinical Liaison, Office of the Clinical Director

Sara Chandros Hull, Ph.D.
Director, Bioethics Core

Benjamin S. Wilfond, M.D.
Head, Bioethics and Social Policy Research Unit
Deputy Director, Bioethics Core

Training and Career Development Resources

• Department of Clinical Bioethics Fellowship Program [bioethics.nih.gov]
• Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Medical Genetics Residency and Fellowship Training Program at NHGRI
• The Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Counseling Graduate Program

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Last Updated: October 2004