Histories and Futures of Genetic Essentialism: On Bias, Its Origins, and Its Harms

Shoumita Dasgupta, Ph.D., is a scientist educator whose significant scholarly contributions center around inclusive curriculum design, teaching, and service. She is a Professor of Medicine and an Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility with a demonstrated history of working in a diverse and inclusive higher education environment. Dr. Dasgupta has leveraged her expertise in basic and medical genetics and genomics, graduate education, and medical education to transform and advance the clinical, scientific, and ethical training of MD and PhD students at Boston University, nationally, and internationally. Her passion for genetics, genomic medicine, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring serve as the foundation for her supportive and creative leadership in the field. Dr. Dasgupta is a US Department of State Fulbright Specialist, a faculty affiliate with the Ibram X. Kendi Center for Antiracism Research, and Past President of the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics. In addition, she works with the National Human Genome Research Institute, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and others to promote initiatives in education, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Dasgupta is also under contract with the University of California Press to write a book titled Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA, expected in late 2024 or early 2025.