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Jennifer Kuzma

Professor

School of Public and International Affairs

James B Hunt Jr Centennial Cam 5147

View CV 

Bio

Jennifer Kuzma, Ph.D. is the Goodnight-NCGSK Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Public and International Affairs, and co-founder and co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center (research.ncsu.edu/ges), at NC State University.

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

By Appointment

Publications

1)     Trump, B., Cummings, C., Kuzma, J. and I. Linkov.  (Eds) (2019, in press). Synthetic Biology 2020: Frontiers in Risk Analysis and Governance.  Springer: Dordecht.

2) Delborne, J., Kuzma, J., Gould, F., Frow, E., Leitschuh, C. & Sudweeks, J. (Eds.).  (2018). “Roadmap to Gene Drives.” Spec. issue of Journal of Responsible Innovation (Taylor &Francis).  Volume 5, Issue S1

3)     Valdez RX, Kuzma J, Cummings C, and N. Peterson.  Anticipating Risks, Governance Needs, and Public Perceptions of De-extinction (2019).  Journal of Responsible Innovation. https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2019.1591145.

4)     Kuzma  J. (2019). Governance of genetically engineered animals in the wild:  A need for procedurally-robust risk analysis. Regulation and Governance DOI:10.1111/rego.12245

5)     Ndoh, T., Cummings C. and J. Kuzma.  “Exploring ‘Expert Cultures’ for Assessing Synthetic Biology”.  In Trump, B., Cummings, C., Kuzma, J. and I. Linkov.  (Eds) (2019, in press). Synthetic Biology 2020: Frontiers in Risk Analysis and Governance.  Springer: Dordrecht.

6)     Trump, B. Cummings, C., Galaitsi, S. Kuzma J., and I. Linkov. “Synthetic Biology: Applications, Risk, Governance, and Society”. In Trump, B., Cummings, C., Kuzma, J. and I. Linkov.  (Eds) (2019, in press). Synthetic Biology 2020: Frontiers in Risk Analysis and Governance.  Springer: Dordrecht.

7)     Kofler, N., Collins JP, Kuzma J, Marris E, Brown, T., Caccone A., Dahlman JE, Esvelt K, Jacobsen R, Nelson MP, Newhouse A, Prince S, Rothschild LJ, Semenov M, Viglotti VS, and OJ Schmitz. (2018). Editing Nature: A call for global integrated deliberation to safeguard gene-editing of wild species. Science 362(6414):

8)     Kuzma J.  (2018). Regulating Gene Edited Crops. Issues in Science & Technology 35(1): 80-85.

9)     Kuzma J. & P. Roberts (2018): Cataloguing the barriers facing RRI in innovation pathways: a response to the dilemma of societal alignment, Journal of Responsible Innovation, 5(3): 338-346.

10)  Gould F., Brown ZS, and J Kuzma. (2018). Wicked evolution: Can we address the sociobiological dilemma of pesticide resistance? Science  360: 728–732. DOI: 10.1126/science.aar3780

11)  Linkov, I., Trump BD, Anklam E, Berube D, Boisseasu P, Cummings C, Dana G, Ferson S, Florin M-V,  Goldstein B, Hristozov, Jensen, Kuzma J, et al. (2018). Science and practice of risk policy and governance for emerging technologies. Environmental Systems and Decisions https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-018-9686-5.

12)  Kuzma, J. F Gould , Z Brown , J Collins , J Delborne ,  E Frow , K Esvelt , D Guston,   C Leitschuh,    K Oye ,  & S Stauffer (2018 A roadmap for gene drives: using institutional analysis and development to frame research needs and governance in a systems context.  Journal of Responsible Innovation 5 (S1):13-39.

13)  Meghani, Z. and J. Kuzma (2018).  Regulating animals with gene drive systems: lessons from the regulatory assessment of a genetically engineered mosquito. Journal of Responsible Innovation 5(S1): 203-222.

14)  Delborne J., Kuzma, J.,, Gould, F., Frow, E., Leitschuh, C.,  and J. Sudweeks. (2018) “Mapping Research and Governance Needs for Gene Drives”.  Journal of Responsible Innovation 5(S1): 4-12.

15)  Trump B., Cummings C, Kuzma, J. and I. Linkov (2018). A Decision Analytic Model to Guide Early-Stage Government Regulatory Action: Applications for Synthetic Biology. Regulation and Governance 12: 88-100.

16)  Jordan, N., K.M. Dorn, K.E. Wolf, P.M. Ewing, A.L. Fernandez, B.C. Runck, A. Williams, Y. Lu and, J. Kuzma. (2017). A Cooperative Governance Network for Crops Produced by Genome Editing. EMBO Journal,  18(10): 1683-1687.

17)  Herkert J., Kuzma, J. Roberts, P.,  Banks, E (2017). Ethics and responsible innovation in biotechnology communities: A pedagogy of engaged scholarship.  Proceedings of the 2017 ASEE Annual Conference 18015: 1-20.

18)  Kuzma, J. (2017).  “Society and Policy Makers’ Responsibilities” In Consumer Perception of Product Risks and Benefits Eds: G. Emilien, R. Weitkunat and F. Luedicke.  Springer: Dordrecht.

19)  Kuzma, J. (2017).  Trails and Trials in Biotechnology Policy.  Pp 85-95  In Women in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Biotechnology Ed. L. Privalle.  Springer.

20)  Kuzma J. (2017).  “Risk, Environmental Governance, and Emerging Biotechnology” In Environmental Governance Reconsidered: Challenges, Choices, and Opportunities, 2nd edition.  Eds. R. Durant, DJ Fiorino, and R O’Leary.   MIT Press https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/environmental-governance-reconsidered-0

21)  Kuzma J. (2017).  Forum: Biosecurity Governance for a Realistic New World.  Issues in Science and Technology 33: (2).

22)  Cummings C. and J. Kuzma (2017) Societal Risk Evaluation Scheme (SRES): Scenario-based Multi-criteria Evaluation of Synthetic Biology Applications. PLoS ONE 12(1): e0168564.doi:10.1371/journal.

pone.0168564.

23)  Kuzma J. (2016).  A Missed Opportunity for Biotech Regulation.  Science 353: 1211-1213.

24)  Kuzma J. and L. Rawls. (2016)  Engineering the Wild: Gene Drives and Intergenerational Equity. Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science and Technology 56 (3):  279-296.

25)  Kuzma, J. (2016). Rebooting the Debate about Genetic Engineering.  Nature 531: 165-167.

26)  Kuzma, J. and J.P. Roberts. (2016) Is Adaptation or Transformation Needed ? : Active Nanomaterials and Risk Analysis.  Journal of Nanoparticle Research 18(7), 215-

27)  Kuzma J., A. Kokotovich, and A. Kuzhabekova. (2016).  Attitudes Towards Governance of Gene Editing. Asian Biotechnology Development Review 18(1): 69-92.

28)  Kuzma J.  (2015) Technology Governance Alternatives.  Issues in Science and Technology 32(1): 10-11

29)  Yue, C. Shuoli, Z, Cummings, C. and J. Kuzma.  (2015) Investigating Factors Influencing Consumer Willingness to Buy GM Food and Nano-food: An Application of Structural Equation Modeling.   Journal of Nanoparticle Research 17:283-302.

30)  Brown, J, Fatehi, L, and J. Kuzma. (2015) Altruism and Skepticism in public attitudes toward food nanotechnology.  Journal of Nanoparticle Research 17:122-140.

31)  Kuzma, J. (2015) Translational Governance Research for Synthetic Biology. Journal of Responsible Innovation DOI: 10.1080/23299460.2014.1002055

32)  Yue, C. Shuoli, Z, and J. Kuzma. (2015) Heterogeneous Consumer Preferences for Nanotechnology and Genetic-Modification Technology in Food Products.  Journal of Agricultural Economics, 66(2), 308-328

33)  Kokotovich, A. and J. Kuzma J (2014). Anticipatory governance and contested futures: Insights from the next generation of genetic engineering. Bulletin of  Science, Technology and Society 34(4): 108-120.

34)  Kuzma, J. (2014) “Properly Paced or Problematic?:  Examing Governance of GMOs”  in Innovative Governance Models for Emerging Technologies Editors Gary Marchant, Kenneth Abbott and Braden Allenby.  Edward Elgar (editorial peer review)

35)  Kuzhabekova, A. and J. Kuzma (2014) Mapping the Emerging Field of Genome Editing.  Technology Analysis and Strategic Management 26(3): 321-352.

36)  Gilna, B., Kuzma J., and Showwalter, S. (2014) “Governance for Genetic Biocontrol Technologies for Invasive Species.”  Biological Invasions 16(6): 1299-1332.

37)  Haase, R. , J. Bielicki, and J. Kuzma.  (2013) Innovation in Emerging Energy Technologies: A case study analysis to inform the path forward for algal biofuels. Energy Policy, 61:1595–1607

38)  Brown, J., and J. Kuzma.  (2013) “Hungry for Information:  Public Attitudes toward Food Nanotechnology and Labeling” Review of Policy Research 30: 512-548.

39)  Korslund, K., Stephenson, S., Victor, A., Laird, A.,and J. Kuzma.  (2013) Consumer Knowledge of Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEOs).  Journal of Science Policy and Governance  3(1): 1-39.

40)  Kuzma, J. (2013).  “Envisioning Future Governance of the Bioeconomy”  The Environmental Forum 30(3): 49.  (edited)

41)  Kuzma, J. Should Citizens Have a Say About Emerging Technologies?  (2013) Scholar’s Strategy Network, Policy Brief.  Available at http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/.  (peer-reviewed & edited)

42) 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 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2021.677003.

43) 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

44) Jaffe, G. & J. Kuzma. (2021). New Bioengineered (aka GM) Food Disclosure Law: Useful Information or Consumer Confusion? Food Drug and Law Institute Mag,, Summer 2021 (peer reviewed)

45) Kuzma J. and K. Grieger. (2020). Community-led governance for gene-edited crops. Science 370(6519): 916-918.

46) K Long, L Alphey, C Bloss, K Campbell, J Champer, C-H Chen, A Choudhary, GM Church, JP Collins, KL Cooper, JA Delborne, O. Edwards, C Emerson, K Esvelt, S Weiss Evans, RM Friedman VM Gantz, F Gould, S Hartley, E Heitman, J. Hemingway, H Kanuka, J. Kuzma, et al. O. Akbari. (2020). Core commitments for field trials of gene drive organisms. Science 370 (6523):1417-1419.

47) Roberts, JP, Herkert J, and J. Kuzma (2020). Responsible Innovation in Biotechnology: Stakeholder Attitudes and Implications for Research Policy. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene 8(1): 10.1525/elementa.446.

48) Kuzma J (2020). Engineered Gene Drives: Ecological, environmental, and societal concerns. In Chaurasia, Hawksworth, Pessoa de Miranda, eds. GMOs – Implications for Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Processes p. 371-399: Nature, Switzerland. ISBN: 978-3-030-53182-9. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-53183-6_17 (peer reviewed and edited)

49) S. Zhao, C-H Yue, and J. Kuzma (2020) Consumer expectations and attitudes toward nanomaterials in foods. Pages 705-733. Handbook of Food Nanotechnology: Applications and Approaches Academic Press Elsevier: Cambridge MA. July 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815866-1.00017-0.

50) Kuzma J., J. Paradise, G. Ramachandran, JA Kim, A. Kokotovich, SM. Wolf. (2020) An Integrated Approach to Oversight Assessment for Emerging Technologies. Chapter 17 in Emerging Technologies: Ethics, Law and Governance. Eds. Gary E. Marchant, Wendell Wallach. London: Routledge. 23 pp. July 2020 https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003074960

51) G. Ramachandran, S M. Wolf, J Paradise, J Kuzma, R Hall, E Kokkoli, L Fatehi. (2020) Recommendations for oversight of nanobiotechnology: dynamic oversight for complex and convergent technology in Emerging Technologies: Ethics, Law and Governance. Eds. Gary E. Marchant, Wendell Wallach. London: Routledge. 27 pp. July 2020. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003074960

52) Kuzma J., Grieger K, Brown ZS, Cummings C. (2020) Pandemics call for systems approaches to research and funding. Issues in Science and Technology (May 4, 2020).

53) Kuzma J (2020). U.S. Oversight of GM Crops: A Place for Values? In Eds Goldberg, A. Feeding the World Well. John Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, MD.

54) Ndoh, C., Cummings C., and J. Kuzma. (2020) “The Role of Expert Disciplinary Cultures in Assessing Risks and Benefits of Synthetic Biology”. In Trump, B., Cummings, C., Kuzma, J. and I. Linkov. (Eds) (2020). Synthetic Biology 2020: Frontiers in Risk Analysis and Governance. Springer: Dordrecht. p. 351-370

55) Trump, B. Cummings, C., Galaitsi, S. Kuzma J., and I. Linkov (2020). Synthetic Biology: Perspectives on Risk Analysis, Governance, Communication, and ELSI. In Trump, B., Cummings, C., Kuzma, J. and I. Linkov. (Eds) (2020) Synthetic Biology 2020: Frontiers in Risk Analysis and Governance. Springer: Dordrecht. p 1-18

56) Grieger K, Jones J., Hansen SF, Hendren CO, Jensen KA, Kuzma J., A Baun. (2019) Translating Best Practices from Nanomaterial Risk Analysis to Other Emerging Technologies. Nature Nanotechnology 14 (11), 998-1001.

Funded Research

I. Kuzma J coPI | USDA-NIFA (2020-2021) | $25,000 | Informing a Risk Assessment Research Strategy for Gene Drive Agricultural Applications through Interdisciplinary Dialogue and Exchange (Biotech Risk Assessment Grant) T. Kuiken (PI), coPIs K.Grieger, J. Delborne, C. Cummings

II.  Kuzma, J. coPI | InterAmerican Development Bank (2020-2022) | $450,000 | Assessment of the Regulatory and Institutional Framework for Gene-editing via CRISPR-based Technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean T. Kuiken (PI), M. Jones, Z. Brown coPIs.

III. Kuzma J coPI | USDA-NIFA (2019-2021) | $495,000 | Social Implications and Best Practices for Responsible Innovation of Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture, Khara Grieger, PI

IV. Kuzma, J. coPI | Walton Foundation (2019-2021) | $199,641 | Piloting Cooperative Governance of Applications of Crop Gene Editing to Cover Crops and Cash Cover Crops. N. Jordan (PI), Tim Smith (coPI)

V. Kuzma J. coPI | NSF NRT (2018-2023) | $2,997,350 | Agricultural Biotechnology in Our Evolving Food, Energy & Water Systems (AgBioFEWS), National Science Foundation, National Research Traineeships Program ($3M). F. Gould PI, Z. Brown, J. Delborne, J. Kuzma, and H. Sederoff coPI

VI. Kuzma J. coPI | NCSU NSRP (2020-2021) | $17,000 | Archive of Agricultural Genetic Engineering and Society (AAGES) M. Booker PI, F. Gould coPI.

VII. Kuzma J. PI (NC State) | NSF-DRMS (2020-2023) | $559,381 | Implications of Solar Radiation Management for Strategic Behavior and Climate Governance M. Borsuk, (PI Duke), Pizer, Wiener (coPI Duke) K. Grieger coPI (NCSU)

VIII. Kuzma J. coPI | Society for Risk Analysis (2019-2021) | $20,000 | Society for Risk Analysis Strategic Initiative K. Grieger PI.

IX. Kuzma J. coI | GRIP-4PSI Initiative (2020-2023) | $556,250 | Improving Crop Productivity and Value Through Heterogeneous Data Integration, Analytics, and Decision Support Platforms C. Williams PI, K. Grieger coPI

 

Education

Ph.D. Biochemistry University of Colorado-Boulder 1995