Zubin Master, Ph.D., is a nonresident scholar in the Center for Health and Biosciences. He is an associate professor of biomedical ethics at the Biomedical Ethics Research Program and the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His research interests broadly cover ethical and policy issues related to regenerative medicine and stem cell research, genetics, research ethics and the responsible conduct of research. His latest work centers on the translation and commercialization of stem cell interventions and the direct-to-consumer market of FDA-unapproved stem cell treatments. More specifically Master aims to understand how personal beliefs and attitudes impacts patients’ health care decision-making and a desire to undertake experimental or unproven regenerative interventions. The goal of the project is to develop messages to best inform patients, correct misinformation and improve health literacy. Master is also interested on the ethical and policy issues related to unproven and experimental medicine through compassionate care policy frameworks, such as the federal Right to Try Act, medical innovation and the FDA’s Expanded Access Programs. Here, his work incorporates the views of patients, physicians and other stakeholders to develop patient-centered tools to improve patient-provider communication in health care decision-making. Master is also interested in promoting the responsible conduct of research by outlining strategies for scientists and research institutions on authorship and publication ethics, conflicts of interest and mentorship. Throughout his career he has published more than 100 articles, perspectives and book chapters in top journals. 

Master received a B.S. in Biology (with genetics specialization) from York University, a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Toronto, and a certificate in Clinical Ethics Consultation from Albany Medical College. Afterwards he completed post-doctoral fellowships at Dalhousie University and the University of British Columbia in ethics and health policy research. Among his several academic appointments, Master spent six years in public service working as a senior policy advisor, among other roles, at Health Canada. He is a member of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and a member of the Education Committee, as well as one of the first Lawrence Goldstein Fellows of Public Policy. Master was also a member of the national Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Stem Cell Oversight Committee for two consecutive terms and member of multiple workgroups for non-government organizations and scientific societies. He is currently an associate editor for the journal Accountability in Research.

Contact at [email protected] or 713-348-3786.