Kalina Kamenova, PhD
BIOETHICS | EMERGING HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES | PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
 

I am a bioethicist and interdisciplinary humanities scholar whose work examines the ethical, social, and policy dimensions of emerging technologies in biomedicine. My research focuses on how innovations in genomics, precision medicine, stem cell science, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the moral landscape of contemporary health systems, and how society can ensure that these advances serve the public good.

 

My approach is grounded in the normative belief that inclusive public participation in the co-production of scientific knowledge is essential for addressing the challenges posed by disruptive technologies. These challenges affect not only our health systems but also our politics, economies, cultures, and shared understanding of what it means to be human. I am committed to ensuring that scientific and technological innovation—when guided by ethics, equity, and social responsibility—can profoundly improve the human condition. My academic work bridges theoretical and policy-oriented research with public dialogue, emphasizing the central role of science in a democratic society.

 

Leadership at Genomics4S

 

As the Founder and Research Director of the Canadian Institute for Genomics and Society (Genomics4S), an independent, Toronto-based non-profit, I lead interdisciplinary research and engagement initiatives that promote ethical foresight, responsible innovation, and inclusive participation in the life sciences. I collaborate with researchers, policymakers, and communities to explore how genomic and regenerative medicine technologies can advance health equity and social justice. I have also served as an Expert in GE3LS research (Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal, and Social Issues related to genomics) for Ontario Genomics, advising large, multidisciplinary teams on grant proposals and knowledge mobilization strategies.

 

I maintain the Genomics4S Bioethics Blog, a public scholarship platform that fosters dialogue on the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging biotechnologies. In addition, I spearheaded the Genomics4S Experiential Learning Program, which provides mentorship and hands-on research opportunities for students and early-career scholars interested in bioethics, science communication, and science policy.

 

Academic and Research Experience

 

Before founding Genomics4S, I held academic and research appointments at several Canadian universities. At McMaster University, I managed global health ethics and innovation projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and taught courses in advanced bioethics and science communication. At Trent University, I served as an Assistant Professor in the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts and Science Program, where I designed and taught foundational courses that bridge the arts and sciences and introduce students to interdisciplinary inquiry, ethical reasoning, and critical reflection.

 

Earlier in my career, at the University of Alberta, I contributed to multidisciplinary research in health law and science policy as an Academic Research Associate at the Health Law Institute (HLI), addressing the ethical and legal challenges posed by emerging biomedical technologies. I also served as the Inaugural Research Director and Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Public Involvement (CPI), a pioneering municipal–academic partnership jointly established by the City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta. In that role, I led the development of a comprehensive research program on deliberative democracy and participatory policy-making, advancing the use of citizen deliberation to tackle complex policy areas such as urban governance, energy transition, and digital democracy. My work at CPI included the design and implementation of Canada’s first Citizens’ Jury on Internet Voting, contributing to national dialogues on cybersecurity, transparency, and public trust in technology.

 

Academic Background

 

I completed my PhD in Social and Political Thought at York University in Toronto, where my dissertation examined how human embryonic stem cell research was communicated and governed in the United States and the European Union. What began as an exploration of scientific controversy evolved into a deeper inquiry into how societies negotiate the moral boundaries of innovation and how democratic institutions can uphold public trust in science. This experience shaped my enduring commitment to understanding the relationship between science, democracy, and governance, and to advancing bioethics as a living, reflective practice that engages with the ethical uncertainties and dilemmas arising from rapid advances in biomedical science and technology. It also reinforced my belief that ethical inquiry is integral to scientific progress and essential to ensuring that innovation serves humanity with integrity and care.

 

Teaching and Recognition

 

Over the past sixteen years, I have taught a wide range of interdisciplinary courses spanning the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences at McMaster University, Trent University, York University, and Ontario Tech University. My teaching portfolio includes courses in bioethics, science communication, perspectives on art and science, science and technology studies, and research methods. In my teaching, I integrate experiential learning and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, fostering environments where students’ diverse experiences and identities are valued as sources of insight, creativity, and critical engagement. I aim to cultivate classrooms that inspire intellectual curiosity, moral reflection, and social responsibility.

 

My research on the ethical and societal implications of emerging biomedical technologies has been recognized internationally through publications in leading academic journals and invited presentations at major conferences and workshops. I also actively engage with public audiences through media and cultural events, including recent interviews on organoid research for CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks and CBC’s Health Second Opinion, and as an invited speaker on the Meighen Forum's panel on Ethical Medicine at the Stratford Festival.

 

Research Administration and Leadership

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In addition to my scholarly work, I bring extensive experience in research administration and innovation leadership. As Director of the Applied Research and Innovation Office at Loyalist College, I provided strategic direction for the institution’s research enterprise, overseeing externally funded projects, applied research centres, and industry partnerships. In this role, I advanced inclusive and community-engaged research practices, built collaborative networks with academic, government, and industry partners, and strengthened institutional capacity for applied research and innovation. 

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As an invited witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research (2024), I advocated for a more equitable distribution of federal research funding across the postsecondary sector and for greater support for the commercialization of applied research. My recommendations, reflected in the Committee’s final report, underscored my commitment to building inclusive and impactful research ecosystems.

 

Core Values

 

At the heart of all my work is a commitment to building a more informed, ethical, and inclusive innovation ecosystem, in which scientific progress aligns with public values and technological change contributes to human flourishing. I believe that the future of science depends not only on discovery but also on our collective capacity to govern innovation with integrity, empathy, and a sense of shared responsibility.