Susanne Haga Photo credit: Duke University Photography

Durham, NC - At a certain point during her studies, Susanne Haga chose a path that would lead her away from the lab bench.

"Midway through my doctoral program, I realized two things," says Haga, assistant research professor in the Institute for Genomics Science and Policy (IGSP). "I did not have the personality to be a laboratory scientist and I was much more interested in the broader societal implications of the Genome Revolution."

To pursue that interest, she completed an American Association for the Advancement of Science-RAND policy fellowship and went on to work as a senior policy analyst at the National Institutes of Health from 1999-2002. Haga, who received her Ph.D. in human genetics from the University of Maryland, moved on to become a project director in human genetics at the J. Craig Venter Institute. She has consulted on genetics and genomics policy issues for a variety of organizations, both public and private.

Her current research interests lie in the ways in which the genome sciences are being translated into medical practice, and especially the regulatory and social changes she expects will accompany a genomic approach to health care. "I am a firm believer that the public holds the keys to the success of genomic medicine," says Haga. "As such, it is important to gauge the public's understanding of genomics, the factors that influence their choices regarding genomic applications, and how personal genomic information will affect disease attribution, labeling, and ultimately, behavioral decisions."