Jean Cadigan

Jean Cadigan is a Professor of Social Medicine and core faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, with affiliations to the Center for Bioethics and ELSI@UNC. Her research focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genomic research and clinical care.

• PhD in Anthropology from UCLA (2002)
• Postdoctoral training in medical anthropology and human development

Jean Cadigan’s work examines the ethical dimensions of genomic research, including topics like:

• Return of individual research results
• Ownership of biospecimens
• Human genome editing governance
• Polygenic scores for social traits
• Biobanking practices

Her recent publications highlight trends in genomic ethics, with a focus on stakeholder perspectives, governance frameworks, and the intersection of social sciences with biotechnology. She also contributes to medical education through clinical ethics rotations.

Dr. Cadigan serves on the leadership team of ELSI@UNC and the UNC Hospital Ethics Committee, where she consults on clinical and research ethics. Her work spans interdisciplinary collaborations with biobanks, HIV research cohorts, and community engagement initiatives.