Kate MacDuffie

Kate MacDuffie, MA, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Bioethics & Palliative Care at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Associate Director of Research at the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute. Her work bridges bioethics, neuroethics, and pediatric research ethics.

• Duke University - PhD in Clinical Psychology
• University of Washington - MA in Bioethics
• University of Michigan–Ann Arbor - BS

Dr. MacDuffie's research examines ethical and social implications of neuroscience advancements for children and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. Current projects include:

• Brain organoid research ethics and donor engagement
• Autism prediction in infancy
• Genomic diagnosis equity in neonatal care
• Open science practices in Down syndrome research

Her publications analyze data sharing in open science, stakeholder engagement in neurotechnology, and institutional racism in clinical ethics. She leads a grant-funded project (NIMH 2022-2025) on human subjects' experiences in brain organoid research. The MacDuffie Lab collaborates with the UW Neuroethics Research Group and SeqFirst, focusing on equitable access to genetic diagnostics and neuroimaging ethics. Contact: neuroethics@seattlechildrens.org or 206-884-8406.