Danya Vears is an Associate Professor in Ethics and Professionalism at Deakin University where she teaches bioethics and research methods to medical students. Prior to this role, she was a Principal Research Fellow and Team Leader at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She also holds an honorary guest professor position at KU Leuven in Belgium where she completed her first postdoctoral fellowship position.

Prior to completing her PhD in bioethics, Danya trained as a genetic counsellor which she believes shapes the way she thinks about the world and therefore her research. Danya’s research uses empirical (predominantly qualitative) and theoretical methodologies to explore ethical issues relating to implementing genomic technologies across a range of settings, including diagnostic genomic sequencing for rare disease and genomic newborn screening.

Danya serves on both national and international professional bodies, such as the Human Genetics Society of Australasia and Global Alliance for Genomics and Health. She is also on the Policy and Ethics Committee and the Scientific Program Committee of the European Society for Human Genetics.