2021 – Trailblazer Award (Science Policy) Winner: Yann Joly

Yann Joly, Ph.D. (DCL), FCAHS, Ad.E. is the Research Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy (CGP). He is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and health sciences, Department of Human Genetics cross-appointed at the Biomedical Ethics Unit, at McGill University. He was named advocatus emeritus by the Quebec Bar in 2012 and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2017.

Prof. Joly’s interests lie at the interface of the fields of big data, international human rights law and bioethics. A major focus of his work since 2004 has been genetic discrimination. In 2018, he went on to create the first international Genetic discrimination observatory dedicated to investigating genetic discrimination and proposing model policies to address this societal torment. He is recognized for his important contributions in science policy to non-genetic discrimination laws and public policies.