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Bio

Jennifer Kuzma, Ph.D.; Professor, Science and Technology; Associate Director, Precision Microbiome Engineering Center; Founding Director, Genetic Engineering and Society Center at NC State University.

Kuzma was the is the Goodnight-NCGSK Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Public and International Affairs (2013-2023), and co-founder and co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center (2013-2025) Prior to her current position, she was an associate professor at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota (2003-2013); study director at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM); and an AAAS Risk Policy Fellow at the USDA. She has over 150 scholarly publications on emerging technologies, their societal and ethical implications, and governance systems and has been studying these areas for over 25 years. Kuzma has held several national and international leadership positions, including a member of the World Economic Forum Council on Technology, Values and Policy; the NASEM Committee on Preparing for Future Biotechnology, Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Council Member and Secretary, FAO Expert Group on Food and Nanotechnology, Council of Agricultural Science and Technology Committee on Gene Editing, and the AAAS-ABA National Council of Scientists and Lawyers. In 2014, she received the SRA Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer Award for her contributions to the field of risk analysis and in 2017-2018 she was awarded the Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Science Policy at UOttawa-ISSP. In 2019 she was elected a lifetime Fellow of AAAS for her distinguished work in anticipatory governance of new technologies, and methods for oversight policy analysis. She has given over 200 invited talks and is interviewed frequently in the media for her expertise in biotechnology policy, including the New York Times, Science, The Scientist, Nature, NPR, Washington Post, Scientific American, BBC, PBS Nova, Wired, and ABC & NBC News. Prior to becoming a social scientist and policy scholar, she earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry at UC-Boulder and did a postdoc in plant molecular biology at Rockefeller University.

Projects

Governance of Emerging Technologies

Website

go.ncsu.edu/ges

Office Hours

Publications (past 5 years)

• Barry N, Landreville KD, Blackwood D, Yard JK, Noble R, and J Kuzma. (2026). Experiences with household mold and perceptions of microbiome engineering to mitigate mold.  Frontiers in Public Health 
• Cummings C., Landreville K, and Kuzma (2026). Public Perceptions and Support for Introduced Microbes to Combat Mold Growth in Disaster Relief Efforts.  Environmental Systems & Decisions https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10669-025-10062-x 
• Loschin N, Kuzma J, Barrangou R, and K Grieger (2025). Environmental assessment and regulatory oversight of genetically engineered crops in the United States. Oct 8. Environmental Science & Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104237.
• Cummings CL, Kuzma J Landreville KD, (2025) Public perceptions and support for introduced microbes to combat hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. PLoS One 20(10): e0332578. Oct 8.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332578
• Horgan, M, Cummings C., Kuzma J., Larter C., and K. Grieger (2025). Beyond the Hype: Stakeholder Perceptions of Nanotechnology and Genetic Engineering for Sustainable Food Production.  Sustainability 17: 6795 https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156795
• Cumings, C., Landreville K, & Kuzma (2025). Natural vs. Genetically Engineered Microbiomes: Understanding Public Attitudes for Indoor Applications and Pathways for Future Engagement. Frontiers in Genetics 16, https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2025.1560601.
• Cummings C., Landreville K, and Kuzma. (2024). Taking the temperature of the US public regarding microbiome engineering. Frontiers in Public Health 12:1477377.
• Ahmad, J., Grunden, A. and Kuzma, J. (2024). Biotechnology Executive Order Opens Door for Regulatory Reform and Social Acceptance of Genetically Engineered Microbes in Agriculture. GM Crops & Food 15(1): 248–26.
• Grieger, K, Wiener J, & J. Kuzma (2024). Improving Risk Governance Strategies via Learning: A Comparative Analysis of Solar Radiation Modification and Gene Drives, Environmental Systems & Decisions 44:  1054–1067.
• Resnik, R F. Medina, F Gould, G Church, J Kuzma. (2024). Genes Drive Organisms and  Slippery Slopes. Pathogens & Global Health 118(4): 348-357.
• StreickerDS, GriffithsM, Rustom A, BergnerL, BowmanP, Vitoria dos Santos de MoraesM, EsveltK, FamulareM, GilbertA, HeB, JarvisM, KennedyD, Kuzma J, Nasimiyu Wanyony C, Remien C, Rocke T, Rosenke K, Schreiner C, Sheen J, Simons D, Yordanova IA, Bull JJ and Nuismer (2024). Commitments for the responsible development of transmissible vaccines for animal infectious diseases. Science 384 (6693): 275-277. April
• Hardwick A, Cummings C, Graves Jr., J. Kuzma, J. (2024). Can Societal and Ethical Implications of Precision Microbiome Engineering Be Applied to the Built Environment? A Systematic Review of the Literature: Environment, Systems and Decisions  44: 215–238.  Feb
• Kendig C, Selfa T, Thompson P, Anthony R, Bauchspies W, Blue G, Curry H, Das A, Harrison R, Henke C, Jin S, Kuzma J, Lipschitz F, Richter K, Ruelle M, Silberg T, Takahashi B. (2024). The need for more inclusive deliberation on ethics and governance in food biotechnology. Journal of Responsible Innovation 11(1): March
• Wei, W., Grieger K, Cummings C., Loschin N., and Kuzma. (2024) Identifying Sustainability Assessment Parameters of Genetically Engineered Agrifoods.  Plants, People, Planet  6(1):29-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10411.
• Resnik, R F. Medina, F Gould, G Church, J Kuzma. (2024). Genes Drive Organisms and  Slippery Slopes. Pathogens & Global Health 118(4): 348-357. June.
• Grieger K, and Kuzma. (2023) Ensuring Sustainable Novel Plant Biotechnologies Requires Formalized Research and Assessment Programs. ACS Agricultural Science & Technology https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsagscitech.3c00380.
• Kuzma J., Grieger K, Cimadori I, Cummings C., Loschin N, and W. Wei (2023). Parameters, Practices, and Preferences for Regulatory Review of Emerging Biotechnology Products in Food and Agriculture. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1256388.
• Medina R. and Kuzma. (2023) Engineered and Natural Gene Drives: Mechanistically the Same, Yet not Same in Kind. Nature Communications 14: 5994. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41727-3.
• Tang, L., Kuzma, J., Zhang, X., Song, X., Li, Y., Liu, H. and Hu, G., (2023). Synthetic biology and governance research in China: a 40-year evolution. https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1007/s11192-023-04789.
• Beck, M., R, Ahmed, H Douglas, MS Driedger, M Gattinger, S Kiss, J Kuzma, P Larkin, K O’Doherty, AM.L. Perrella, Williams, G Wolbring. (2023). Motivated reasoning and risk governance: what risk scholars and practitioners need to know. In Democratizing Risk Governance :Bridging Science, Expertise, Deliberation and Public Values. Palgrave MacMillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-24271-7_2.
• Kuzma, J., Williams, T.T. (2023). Public Inclusion and Responsiveness in Governance of Genetically Engineered Animals. In: Gattinger, M. (eds) Democratizing Risk Governance. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24271-7_8
• Kuzma, J. (2023). Social Concerns and Regulation of Cisgenic Crops in North America. In: Chaurasia, A., Kole, C. (eds) Cisgenic Crops: Safety, Legal and Social Issues. Concepts and Strategies in Plant Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10721-4_8.
• Kuzma J. (2023). Governance of Gene-Edited Plants: Insights from the History of Biotechnology Oversight and Policy Process Theory.  Science, Technology and Human Values 48(6)1260-1291.
• Kuzma, J. (2022). Gene drives: Environmental impacts, sustainability, and governance. In M.-V. Florin (Ed.) (2023). Ensuring the environmental sustainability of emerging technologies (Edited volume). Lausanne: EPFL. (Edited volume). Lausanne: EPFL. International Risk Governance Center. DOI: 10.5075/epfl-irgc-298445
• Riley I. Taitingfong, Cynthia Triplett, Váleri N. Vásquez, Ramya M. Rajagopalan, Robyn Raban, Aaron Roberts, Gerard Terradas, Bridget Baumgartner, Claudia Emerson, Fred Gould, Fredros Okumu, Cynthia E. Schairer, Hervé C. Bossin, Leah Buchman, Karl J. Campbell, Anna Clark, Jason Delborne, Kevin Esvelt, Joshua Fisher, Robert M. Friedman, Gigi Gronvall, Nikos Gurfield, Elizabeth Heitman, Natalie Kofler, Todd Kuiken, Jennifer Kuzma, Pablo Manrique-Saide, John M. Marshall, Michael Montague, Amy C. Morrison, Chris C. Opesen, Ryan Phelan, Antoinette Piaggio, Hector Quemada, Larisa Rudenko, Natéwindé Sawadogo, Robert Smith, Holly Tuten, Anika Ullah, Adam Vorsino, Nikolai Windbichler, Omar S. Akbari, Kanya Long, James V. Lavery, Sam Weiss Evans, Karen Tountas & Cinnamon S. Bloss (2022).  Exploring the Value of a Global Gene Drive Project Registry. Nature Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-022-01591-w.
• Merck AW, Grieger K, and Kuzma (2022). How can we promote responsible innovation in U.S. nano-agrifood research? Environmental Science & Policy 137: 185–190.
• Kuzma J. (2022). Implementing Responsible Research and Innovation: A Case Study of U.S. Biotechnology Oversight. Global Public Policy and Governance 2: 306-325. DOI: 10.1007/s43508-022-00046-x.
• Kuzma, J. (2022). Making Space for Technology Governance.  Issues in Science & Technology 38(4): Summer. https://issues.org/technology-governance-mathews-fabi-offodile-forum/
• Merck, AW., Grieger, KD, Cuchiara, M. and Kuzma. (2022). What role does regulation play in ensuring the responsible innovation of nanotechnology in food and agriculture? Insights and framings from stakeholders. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society 1-19 https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1177/02704676221102066.
• Grieger, K., Merck AW, and Kuzma. (2022). Formulating best practices for responsible innovation of nano-agrifoods through stakeholder insights and reflection. Journal of Responsible Technology 10: 100030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2022.100030.
• Williams, T. and Kuzma (2022). Narrative Policy Framework at the Macro Level—Cultural Theory-Based Beliefs, Science-Based Narrative Strategies, and their Uptake in the Canadian Policy Process for Genetically Modified Salmon. Public Policy & Administration 37(4): 480-515.
• Jordan, N., Kuzma J, Foot, M. Snider, D. Ray, K. Miller, E. Wilensky-Lanford, & G. Amartiello (2022). Should Gene Editing Be Used to Develop Crops for Continuous-Living-Cover Agriculture? A Multi-Stakeholder Assessment using a Cooperative Governance Approach.  Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology 10: 1-17.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.843093
• Grieger, K.; Zarate, S.; Barnhill-Dilling, S.K.; Hunt, S.; Jones, D.; Kuzma, J. (2022). Fostering Responsible Innovation through Stakeholder Engagement: Case Study of North Carolina Sweetpotato Stakeholders. Sustainability 14: 2274-2290. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042274
• Ruzante, J. M., Shumaker, E. T., Holt, S., Mayer, S., Kokotovich, A., Cuchiara, M., Binder, A. R., Kuzma, J., & Grieger, K. (2022). Eliciting stakeholder perceptions using a novel online engagement platform: A case study on nano-agrifoods. RTI Press. RTI Press Occasional Paper No. OP-0071-2201 https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress.2022.op.0071.2201(peer reviewed)
• Kokotovich, A., Kuzma J., Cummings, C., and K. Grieger. (2021). Definitions, practices, and motivations for responsible innovation for nanotechnology applications in food and agriculture.  NanoEthics 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-021-00404-9.
• Kuzma J. (2021). Deficits of Public Deliberation in U.S. Oversight for Gene-Edited Organisms Hastings Center Report 51(6): S25-S34.
• Grieger K, A Merck, M. Cuchiara, AR Binder, Kokotovich, C. Cummings & J. Kuzma (2021). Responsible Innovation of Nano-Agrifoods: Insights and Views from U.S. Stakeholders. Nanoimpact 24: 100365, 1-13.
• Kuzma J. and C.L. Cummings (2021). Cultural Beliefs and Stakeholder Affiliation Influence Attitudes Towards Responsible Research and Innovation among U.S. Stakeholders involved in Biotechnology and Gene Editing. Frontiers in Political Science 3: 74-89..
• Cummings, C., Kuzma, J., Kokotovich, A, Glas, D., and K. Grieger (2021). Barriers to Responsible Innovation of Nanotechnology Applications in Food and Agriculture. NanoImpact: Int’l J  of NanoSafety Res 23: 100326-100336.
• Jaffe, G. & Kuzma. (2021). New Bioengineered (aka GM) Food Disclosure Law: Useful Information or Consumer Confusion? Food Drug and Law Institute Mag,, Summer 2021 (peer reviewed)
• Kuzma J. and K. Grieger. (2020). Community-led governance for gene-edited crops. Science 370(6519): 916-918.

Funded Research

Kuzma J. CoPI ( PI NC State) NSF-ERC (2022-2027) $26,000,000

Precision Microbiome Engineering Center EEC-2133504

Gunsch (Duke), A. Fodor (UNC-Charlotte), J. Stewart (UNC-CH), Joseph Graves Jr. (NC A&T)

$4M to NC State, $2M to GES Center

 

Kuzma J coPI USDA-NIFA (2022-2026)                    $650,000

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Evaluate Societal Implications and Foster Sustainability of Genetic Engineering and Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture (Grant #2022-67023-36730)

Grieger (PI)