Team:Calgary Ethics/Collaboration

Meet the Team!

The Undergraduates

Sibat Khwaja

I am a third year biomedical science student at the faculty of medicine in University of Calgary.My background is in biology, genetics, bio and organic chemistry with a focus in Biomedical Research. As a biomedical science student I have been always interested in engineering organisms, redesigning biological systems with standardized part and all that fun stuff. However, after being exposed to a course in ethical issues in medical research and practice, I have learned about the vital role ethics plays from the very first initiation of the planning/designing of these systems and was inspired to join the team. Besides academics I will be best described as the center of all the love of my family and a big fan of my guitar. Contact Information: smkhwaja@ucalgary.ca

Niklas Bobrovitz

My name is Niklas and I'm entering my 2nd year as a Health and Society major in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at the University of Calgary. I have a passion for biology and an uninhibited interest in the operation and evolution of society.I joined the iGEM team for 2008 because I believe synthetic biology will drive many major social changes in the future, both locally and globally. The advancements that synthetic biology may offer, especially in medicine and environmental saftey, have many ethical, social, legal and economic implications. I want to examine these issues and gain a better understanding of them as they must be considered before any innovation from the field of synthetic biology can be implemented in society. Contact Information: njhbobro@ucalgary.ca

Daniela Navia

My name is Daniela Navia and I am entering my second year at the University of Calgary as a Health and Society major. I am interested in gaining a wider perspective of global issues and how different fields can work together to come up with new, creative solutions. I joined iGem because I was intrigued by the potential impact synthetic biology could have on a global scale, and especially how it could be geared to help lower income countries. I am also concerned about the ethical ramifications of using these technologies. I would like to explore legal, ethical and social arguments for and against aspects of synthetic biology and gain further insights into how different groups perceive this advancing field. Contact Information: dnavia@ucalgary.ca

Our Supervisor: Dr. Gregor Wolbring

He is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine University of Calgary. He is a bioethicist, a biochemist, and a health research, ability governance, and science and technology governance scholar.