Distinguished Professor Luisa N. Borrell appointed to NASEM Committee on the Use of Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry as Population Descriptors in Genomics Research

Mar. 14, 2022
Dr. Luisa Borrell

Distinguished Professor Luisa N. Borrell has been appointed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to the new Committee on the Use of Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry as Population Descriptors in Genomics Research.

The committee will conduct a study to review and assess existing methodologies, benefits, and challenges in the use of race and ethnicity and other population descriptors in genomics research. The report will describe best practices on the use of race, ethnicity, and genetic ancestry and other population descriptors in genetics and genomics research.

Dr. Borrell’s research centers on race and ethnicity, socioeconomic position, and neighborhood effects as social determinants of health. In addition, she focuses on the effect of nationality, nativity status, and race among Hispanics as social determinants of health.

“Given the increase in population diversity and the advances on genomics research, this committee is more timely than ever for population health and precision medicine,” Borrell says. “The committee brings together national and international experts on population descriptors from the biomedical and social sciences, and thus, it is an honor to be part of this committee.”

The committee will seek public comments throughout the process on the current use of population descriptors such as race, ethnicity, ancestry, etc. in genomics research and how the use of population descriptors could be improved upon in the future. The comments may be used in the committee’s final report which is planned for release in 2023.

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