Current Scholar Bios
Aaron Panofsky received his B.A. (1996) in Interdisciplinary Studies (Science Studies) from Amherst College, and his M.A. (2004) and Ph.D. (2006) in Sociology from New York University. Aaron’s dissertation is a sociological analysis of the field of behavior genetics that explores the links between its social and cultural organization, struggles for scientific authority, and its long history of controversy. As a RWJ Scholar, he will be studying the impact of patient advocacy groups on medical genetics research, in particular how patient advocates' efforts to take control of certain materials and activities away from scientists might improve the research process. After completing the RWJ fellowship, Aaron will join the faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles as an Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Public Policy and the Center for Society and Genetics.