Foundation Announces Greenwall Faculty Scholars Class of 2028

The Foundation’s flagship Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program in Bioethics helps build the next generation of leaders in bioethics by supporting early-career faculty members to carry out innovative bioethics research, and by building an intellectually rich and active community. Since 2002, the Foundation has supported over 70 Scholars from more than 40 different institutions.

Doni Bloomfield, JD is Associate Professor of Law at Fordham Law School. His project is “Confronting the Bioethical and Public Health Challenges of Generative AI.”

Abstract: Generative AI poses significant bioethical challenges. Scientists are increasingly using AI to modify biology—from predicting protein structures to crafting new bacterial genomes. But the same AI models capable of benefitting humanity pose serious threats of malicious use. To address these risks, Prof. Bloomfield will survey the state of the art to understand AI’s biosecurity risks, empirically evaluate historical attempts to control dual-use information, and propose a framework for regulating AI models to balance our interests in biosecurity, scientific advancement, and liberty. His project aims to create technically anchored scholarship that speaks directly and clearly to urgent policy and bioethical questions.

Katherine Peeler, MD is Associate Physician in Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Her project is “Designing a Bioethical Framework to Optimize Care for Immigrants in U.S. Government Custody.”

Abstract: Dr. Peeler’s project centers around improving the health of detained immigrants in U.S. government custody. Policy conversations focused on rights and laws have been important but insufficient to move this issue forward and meaningfully and consistently improve the health of this population. She seeks to develop a novel bioethics-informed framework to guide policy discussions about immigrant health. The goal of the framework will be to bring a different lens to these common conversations and assist the many stakeholders to find common values that underlie their policy goals in a way that will ultimately improve the health of detained immigrants in the U.S.

Anna Wexler, PhD is Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Her project is “Research Ethics in the Development of Implanted Brain-Computer Interfaces for Communication.”

Abstract: Implanted brain-computer interface (iBCI) research is advancing rapidly, with clinical trials aiming to restore communication for individuals with severe disabilities. However, many companies are simultaneously exploring both therapeutic and augmentative applications, creating complex research ethics challenges. Prof. Wexler’s project aims to critically evaluate the ethical dimensions of iBCI research intended for both medical and non-medical applications and create an ethical framework to guide responsible research in this domain. Her research seeks to directly impact funders who support iBCI research, researchers who conduct it, regulators who oversee it, and patients who participate in it.