Charmaine D. M. Royal, PhD

Charmaine Royal’s research, scholarship, and teaching focus on ethical, psychosocial, and societal issues in genetics and genomics, primarily issues at the intersection of genetics/genomics and concepts of “race”, ancestry, and ethnicity.

She received a master’s in genetic counseling and a doctorate in human genetics from Howard University. She completed postgraduate training in bioethics and ELSI (ethical, legal, and social implications) research at the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and in epidemiology and behavioral medicine at the Howard University Cancer Center. Prior to joining the Duke faculty in 2007, Dr. Royal was faculty in the College of Medicine and the Graduate School at Howard University as well as Director of the GenEthics Unit in the National Human Genome Center at Howard University.

Dr. Royal serves as an expert advisor on several national and international professional committees and boards.

Recent Publications

Personal DNA Testing in College Classrooms: Perspectives of Students and Professors.

Daley LA, Wagner JK, Himmel TL, McPartland KA, Katsanis SH, Shriver MD, Royal CD, Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. 2013 Mar 28;. Abstract

An integrated map of genetic variation from 1,092 human genomes.

1000 Genomes Project Consortium, Abecasis GR, Auton A, Brooks LD, DePristo MA, Durbin RM, Handsaker RE, Kang HM, Marth GT, McVean GA, Nature. 2012 Nov 1;491(7422):56-65. Abstract

The serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (5HTTLPR) moderates the effect of adolescent environmental conditions on self-esteem in young adulthood: a structural equation modeling approach.

Jonassaint CR, Ashley-Koch A, Whitfield KE, Hoyle RH, Richman LS, Siegler IC, Royal CD, Williams R, Biol Psychol. 2012 Sep;91(1):111-9. Abstract

Tilting at windmills no longer: a data-driven discussion of DTC DNA ancestry tests.

Wagner JK, Cooper JD, Sterling R, Royal CD, Genet Med. 2012 Jun;14(6):586-93. Abstract

Evaluation findings from genetics and family health history community-based workshops for African Americans.

Manswell Butty JA, Richardson F, Mouton CP, Royal CD, Green RD, Munroe KA, J Community Genet. 2012 Jan;3(1):1-12. Abstract

more publications

IGSP Faculty

Associate Professor, Department of African & African American Studies