Ting Wu, PhD
Director and Co-Founder
As a Professor of Genetics, Ting is engaged in research and with the ethical, legal, and societal implications of genetic discoveries. She co-founded PGED in 2006 to promote global awareness about genetics and genetic technologies through two-way dialogue with all communities. Her research group at Harvard Medical School studies how chromosome structure and behavior impact inheritance and genome activity. She is also Founder of Connecting Genetics to Climate.
Robin Bowman, MEd
Director of Education and Engagement
Robin leads PGED’s education efforts, crafting engaging curricula and facilitating educator workshops in-person and online. She also collaborates with entertainment professionals to weave genetic themes into compelling narratives, fostering public discourse on personal, ethical, and social implications of genetic technologies. A lifelong learner and career-long educator, Robin champions the use of dialogue to foster empathy and understanding.
Marnie Gelbart, PhD
Director of Programs
A geneticist by training, Marnie was motivated by a personal experience with genetic testing to join PGED in 2011 as one of the team’s first hires. She believes conversation is a powerful catalyst for exchanging information, building mutual understanding, and supporting empowerment. Over the years, Marnie has worn many hats at PGED, including organizing Congressional briefings, engaging with faith community leaders, and advising prominent genetics institutions on their public engagement efforts. Her commitment to forging meaningful connections and fostering partnerships has been instrumental in expanding PGED’s reach and impact. Today, she oversees the team’s daily operations, leads grant-funded programs, and works with Ting to guide PGED’s strategic direction.
Gill McNeil, MS (she/her)
Education Design Lead
Gill is a genetics specialist and artist passionate about communicating creatively about science. She has practical experience in genetics research, learning design and instruction, and program development. At PGED, Gill creates resources and facilitates programs for educators and local communities about the scientific, social, and ethical dimensions of genetics. With a strong belief in the power of storytelling for science engagement, she collaborates with entertainment industry experts to create genetics learning resources for writers, producers, and directors. In addition to her design work and programming for educators, communities, and storytellers, Gill taps into her creative spirit to support PGED’s graphic design, website development, and digital communication needs.
Rob O’Malley, PhD (he/him)
Strategic Engagement Lead
Rob is a biological anthropologist who shifted from a career studying wild chimpanzees to one focused on public engagement with science. Rob has expertise in evidence-based public engagement approaches, with a particular interest in how history, culture, and worldview (including faith and spirituality) inform peoples’ perspectives on genetics and related sciences. He helps to develop and facilitate workshops, co-creates and edits formal and informal education resources, and identifies and pursues grants and other funding opportunities to support PGED’s work. Rob is also the education committee co-chair for the American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA).