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The Institute is a community of researchers dedicated to analyzing complex problems at the interface of biology and society and training the next generation of cross-disciplinary thinkers.
Recently at ISG
- Hyojung Kim, Manroop Kaur Turna and Elise Whitlinger Recipients of the Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Research and Creativity: Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Awards
Congratulations to Hyojung, Manroop and Elise for the award! - Vincent Duc Cao, Shreya Kalyanaraman, Saanvi Rai and Alexandra Maria Tabacu Recipients of the Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Research: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering
Congratulations to Vincent, Shreya, Saanvi and Alexandra for the award! - Bharat Venkat in the UCLA Newsroom “Sporting Events Must Adapt to the 21st Century”
Bharat Venkat warns that extreme heat poses serious, sometimes fatal risks to athletes, workers, and spectators alike. He argues, major sporting events must adapt to climate change’s growing physiological demands.
The Institute’s Impact
Featured Projects
Students in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA complete an original research project at the intersection of biology and society in just 10 weeks. Students in Winter and Spring 2020 completed this project remotely during the COVID19 pandemic, and finished them during some of the largest protests against police violence in US history. To view their projects, click here.
Spotlight
Vincent Duc Cao, Shreya Kalyanaraman, Saanvi Rai and Alexandra Maria Tabacu (HBS ’26)
Spotlight to Vincent Duc Cao, Shreya Kalyanaraman, Saanvi Rai and Alexandra Maria Tabacu (HBS ’26) for receiving the Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Research: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering Award.
Student Research Projects
How Sympathy Struck — A Study of American Public Opinion on Eugenics Surrounding WWII
This project zooms in on how the public’s opinion of eugenics changed over the course of the war by following the discussion around eugenics and Nazi Germany through New York Times articles spanning from 1930-1950.
The Promise of a Cure: An Analysis of the Social Construction of Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease
This Capstone project explores the social construction of science through the contradictory narrative of the SCD gene therapy CASGEVY.
Media, Mistrust, and the Genome: How Media Shapes Public Perceptions of Genetic Data Collection
This project examines how media narratives shape public trust, participation, and ethics in genetics research, highlighting historical injustices and pathways to rebuilding trust.
Genes on Trial: MAOA-L, The Legal Interpretation of Behavioral Genetics
This paper examines how behavioral genetic evidence has been used in criminal cases to shape ideas of violence, intent, and legal responsibility.
Fear, Identity, Obsession – How Contemporary Media Reflects and Shapes Genetic “Common Sense”
This project examines how contemporary media, from advertising and entertainment to politics and gaming, shapes modern “common sense” about genetics.