First name
Maria
Last name
Damjanovicova
Year of Study
Research Center
Thesis Title
Epigenetics and Policy: cross-linking the ‘environmental turn’ in the life sciences and the ‘molecular turn’ in epidemiology
Thesis Abstract
This thesis is an empirical investigation of epigenetics and policy. This research
first focused on mapping the impact of epigenetics in health care and exploring
the challenges it poses for health care policy. The thesis developes a combined
qualitative-quantitative strategy to identify the most active areas of epigenetic
research, clinical applications and clinical outputs, as well as to track the number
of publications on epigenetics. Moreover, the thesis finds that the science of
epigenomics goes ‘beyond the genome’ insofar as what lies beyond can be
conceptualised through and converted into genome-friendly, code-compatible
digital representations. The research further focused on the case of Glasgow, a
city characterized by stark health and social inequalities, where epigenetics has
been employed in an interdisciplinary project to measure and instruct relevant
social programs to target these inequalities. This thesis thus contributes a critical
insight into how epigenetics is currently employed – in collaboration between
actors of diverse backgrounds; and in policy efforts and action upon health. The
thesis finds that within this project epigenetics is conceptualised as
instrumentally effective, policy-approprate evidentiary resource that could
foster socio-political change in a non-distant future. Accordingly, it is thanks to
its molecularization of the environment and therefore its purported objectivity,
that epigenetics is bestowed the potential for actionable public health
knowledge. Additionally, the thesis finds that it is the solidary practice that
governs this interdisciplinary collaborative endeavour in Glasgow.
first focused on mapping the impact of epigenetics in health care and exploring
the challenges it poses for health care policy. The thesis developes a combined
qualitative-quantitative strategy to identify the most active areas of epigenetic
research, clinical applications and clinical outputs, as well as to track the number
of publications on epigenetics. Moreover, the thesis finds that the science of
epigenomics goes ‘beyond the genome’ insofar as what lies beyond can be
conceptualised through and converted into genome-friendly, code-compatible
digital representations. The research further focused on the case of Glasgow, a
city characterized by stark health and social inequalities, where epigenetics has
been employed in an interdisciplinary project to measure and instruct relevant
social programs to target these inequalities. This thesis thus contributes a critical
insight into how epigenetics is currently employed – in collaboration between
actors of diverse backgrounds; and in policy efforts and action upon health. The
thesis finds that within this project epigenetics is conceptualised as
instrumentally effective, policy-approprate evidentiary resource that could
foster socio-political change in a non-distant future. Accordingly, it is thanks to
its molecularization of the environment and therefore its purported objectivity,
that epigenetics is bestowed the potential for actionable public health
knowledge. Additionally, the thesis finds that it is the solidary practice that
governs this interdisciplinary collaborative endeavour in Glasgow.
Additional Info
Research interest:
Science policy, health care policy, interplay between research and regulation, biopolitics
Education:
2004-2010 Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia, University Diploma (MSc equivalent) in Molecular Biology and Physiology
2000-2004 13th Belgrade Gymnasium, Serbia
Lab experience:
Giuseppe Testa, Laboratory of Stem cell epigenetics
Saverio Minucci, Laboratory of Chromatin alterations in tumorigenesis
Publications:
Damjanovicova, M. (forthcoming) Incidental findings. In: Boniolo G. - Sanchini V. (eds), Ethical counseling and medical decision-making in the era of personalized medicine. A guide, Heidelberg: Springer.
Svalastog A. Damjanovicova M. Epigenetics, society and bio-objects. Croat Med J. 2015; 56:166-8 doi: 10.3325/cmj.2015.56.166
Damjanovicova M. Review of Boniolo, G. and Maugeri, P. (eds.): 2014, Etica alle frontiere della biomedicina. Med Health Care and Philos 2014; DOI 10.1007/s11019-014-9599-0
Awards:
Visiting Research Associate, Department of Social Science, Health and Medicine, King’s College London (March-June 2015)
COST Action IS1001 grant for Short Term Scientific Mission “Epigenetics-informed Policy Making” at the University of Glasgow, UK (2014)
COST Action IS1001 grant for attending PhD Training school Bio-objects Network: materiality, innovation and regulation, York, UK (2013)
EPIGEN (Italian Epigenetics Consortium) PhD fellowship as part of the “EPIGEN: Public Engagement and Policy Work on Epigenetics” project (2013-2014)
Conference Organizations:
“EPIGENomics and Health Care Policy: Challenges and Opportunities” International Conference, December 1-3, 2014, IEO, Milan, Italy
Conference Presentations, Seminars and Additional Education;
The weekly seminar series: Molecular visibility of the environment: epigenetic markers in social epidemiology; International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health, UCL, UK (2015)
EPIGEN Annual Meeting: Public Engagement and Policy Work on Epigenetics; Rome, Italy (2015)
The Symposium Body Discourses / Body Politics and Agency The Gender and Agency: Epigenetics and Gender; Vienna, Austria (2015)
5th STS Italia Conference A Matter of Design. Making Society through Science and Technology: From social structure to gene regulation and back to choice: some cautionary remarks on the epigenetic imaginary of the body, a paper by Damjanovicova, Del Savio and Testa; Milan, Italy (2014)
PhD Training school Bio-objects Network: materiality, innovation and regulation, Bio-Objects COST Action “Bio-objects and their boundaries - governing matters at the intersection of society, politics, and science”; York, UK (2013)
EPIGEN Annual Meeting: Public Engagement and Policy Work on Epigenetics; Rome, Italy (2013)
Women’s Studies alternative undergraduate course at Belgrade Women’s Studies Center, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade (2010-2011)
Philosophy & Evolution programme by Prof. H. James Birx (Canisius College, USA) at Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade (Fall semester 2010)
Work Experience:
2008-2012 NGO ASTRA - Anti Trafficking Action Belgrade: Peer educator in ASTRA Education and Prevention Program (2008-2012); SOS Hotline counsellor in ASTRA SOS Hotline and Direct Victim Assistance Program (2010-2012)
Science policy, health care policy, interplay between research and regulation, biopolitics
Education:
2004-2010 Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia, University Diploma (MSc equivalent) in Molecular Biology and Physiology
2000-2004 13th Belgrade Gymnasium, Serbia
Lab experience:
Giuseppe Testa, Laboratory of Stem cell epigenetics
Saverio Minucci, Laboratory of Chromatin alterations in tumorigenesis
Publications:
Damjanovicova, M. (forthcoming) Incidental findings. In: Boniolo G. - Sanchini V. (eds), Ethical counseling and medical decision-making in the era of personalized medicine. A guide, Heidelberg: Springer.
Svalastog A. Damjanovicova M. Epigenetics, society and bio-objects. Croat Med J. 2015; 56:166-8 doi: 10.3325/cmj.2015.56.166
Damjanovicova M. Review of Boniolo, G. and Maugeri, P. (eds.): 2014, Etica alle frontiere della biomedicina. Med Health Care and Philos 2014; DOI 10.1007/s11019-014-9599-0
Awards:
Visiting Research Associate, Department of Social Science, Health and Medicine, King’s College London (March-June 2015)
COST Action IS1001 grant for Short Term Scientific Mission “Epigenetics-informed Policy Making” at the University of Glasgow, UK (2014)
COST Action IS1001 grant for attending PhD Training school Bio-objects Network: materiality, innovation and regulation, York, UK (2013)
EPIGEN (Italian Epigenetics Consortium) PhD fellowship as part of the “EPIGEN: Public Engagement and Policy Work on Epigenetics” project (2013-2014)
Conference Organizations:
“EPIGENomics and Health Care Policy: Challenges and Opportunities” International Conference, December 1-3, 2014, IEO, Milan, Italy
Conference Presentations, Seminars and Additional Education;
The weekly seminar series: Molecular visibility of the environment: epigenetic markers in social epidemiology; International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health, UCL, UK (2015)
EPIGEN Annual Meeting: Public Engagement and Policy Work on Epigenetics; Rome, Italy (2015)
The Symposium Body Discourses / Body Politics and Agency The Gender and Agency: Epigenetics and Gender; Vienna, Austria (2015)
5th STS Italia Conference A Matter of Design. Making Society through Science and Technology: From social structure to gene regulation and back to choice: some cautionary remarks on the epigenetic imaginary of the body, a paper by Damjanovicova, Del Savio and Testa; Milan, Italy (2014)
PhD Training school Bio-objects Network: materiality, innovation and regulation, Bio-Objects COST Action “Bio-objects and their boundaries - governing matters at the intersection of society, politics, and science”; York, UK (2013)
EPIGEN Annual Meeting: Public Engagement and Policy Work on Epigenetics; Rome, Italy (2013)
Women’s Studies alternative undergraduate course at Belgrade Women’s Studies Center, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade (2010-2011)
Philosophy & Evolution programme by Prof. H. James Birx (Canisius College, USA) at Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade (Fall semester 2010)
Work Experience:
2008-2012 NGO ASTRA - Anti Trafficking Action Belgrade: Peer educator in ASTRA Education and Prevention Program (2008-2012); SOS Hotline counsellor in ASTRA SOS Hotline and Direct Victim Assistance Program (2010-2012)
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