About
Michael B. Waitzkin holds multifaceted appointments at Duke University:
- Senior Lecturing Fellow in the Law School and Science & Society
- Deputy Director of the Initiative for Science & Society
- Director of Graduate Studies for the Masters in Bioethics & Science Policy
- Core Faculty Member at the Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy
- Adjunct Faculty in the Medical School
He additionally co-founded Orbit Genomics, a startup commercializing microsatellite-based genomic diagnostics.
Professor Waitzkin's educational foundation includes a BA from the University of Virginia (1971; Phi Beta Kappa, Echols Scholar), JD from Stanford Law School (1974), and LLM from Yale Law School (1975; Commonwealth Fellow in Law, Science and Medicine).
His research bridges legal practice with academic inquiry, focusing on science law and policy, bioethics, data privacy, regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies. This interdisciplinary approach leverages his 35-year litigation career to address pressing challenges in biomedical innovation and technology governance. His work emphasizes practical application through case studies and policy analysis.
As Director of Graduate Studies for the Masters in Bioethics & Science Policy, Professor Waitzkin oversees curriculum development and student mentorship. His White House and litigation experience directly informs his supervision style, emphasizing real-world problem-solving and regulatory strategy. The Duke Margolis Center and Initiative for Science & Society provide institutional support for his funded projects in health policy and science regulation.
Professor Waitzkin actively translates academic work into practice through Orbit Genomics and collaborations with the biomedical research community. His leadership in the Science Regulation Lab course demonstrates commitment to experiential learning, preparing students for careers at the law-science-policy intersection.
