Elena Atienza Macias

Elena Atienza Macias is a Ramón y Cajal Researcher and Constitutional Law Lecturer at the University of Deusto, affiliated with the Faculty of Law. She also teaches at the Deusto Business School and the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences. Her research is deeply interdisciplinary, spanning sports law, bioethics, health law, and human rights, with a particular focus on doping in sport, genetic interventions, and transgender rights. She has been a long-term member of the 'Cátedra de Derecho y Genoma Humano' at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), a research group recognized as 'Excellent' by the Basque Government.

• Ph.D. in Law, University of Deusto, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE), Universidad Ramón Llull-ESADE (2016)
• Master's in Fundamental Rights and Public Powers, University of the Basque Country (2012)
• Law Degree, University of Deusto, Specialization in Private and Business Law (2005)

Her research interests lie at the intersection of law, ethics, and science, particularly in bioethics, constitutional law, and sports regulation. She explores legal responses to emerging technologies such as genetic doping, end-of-life decisions, and environmental chemical regulation. Her work emphasizes the protection of fundamental rights, including athlete privacy, mental health, and the rights of marginalized communities like transgender individuals.

The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong thematic continuity in doping regulation, bioethical implications of biotechnology, and health law. Her publications span journals in law, sports, public health, and bioethics, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach. Key subfields include genetic doping, mental health in sports, anti-doping controls, privacy rights, and legal frameworks for human enhancement.

• Thesis awarded Outstanding Cum Laude and International Mention
• XVI Andalusian Association of Sports Law Legal Award
• Premio 2013 Law & Science Young Scholar ECLT Prize
• Premio a la Mejor Comunicación at XX Jornadas sobre Derecho y Genoma Humano (2013)

Elena Atienza has secured competitive research grants, including a postdoctoral fellowship from the Basque Government (ranked #1 in Law) and a national Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral grant. Since 2023, she holds a prestigious Ramón y Cajal research position at the University of Deusto, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation. She has also been involved in international research collaborations, including stays at the University of Coimbra and participation in networks like the International Network of Humanistic Doping Research (Aarhus University). She has directed the Expert Diploma in Health Law and served in editorial leadership roles, including as Coordinator of the Revista de Derecho y Genoma Humano.

She is a member of the research group 'European Integration and Property Law in a global context' at the University of Deusto and has been part of the 'Cátedra de Derecho y Genoma Humano' at UPV/EHU. She has also been involved in organizing major academic conferences such as the REMEDiE Closing Conference and EURSAFE 2010. Currently, she leads research projects on the legal protection of transgender individuals, funded by the Basque Government.