RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC— Don Bailey, Ph.D., distinguished fellow at RTI International, has been selected to serve as a member of the Societal and Ethical Issues in Research Study Section of the Center for Scientific Review.

The Societal and Ethical Issues in Research Study Section reviews grant applications focusing on ethical issues in human subjects research, clinical issues, clinical trials and recruitment. Within his four-year term, Bailey will contribute to the national biomedical research effort by reviewing grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health, recommend grant applications to the appropriate NIH national advisory or board, and survey the status of research in his field.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Don to add great value to medical and allied research in this country,” said Wayne Holden, Ph.D., president and CEO at RTI. “His knowledge, objectivity and thoughtfulness will make him an excellent member of the committee. They are lucky to have him.”

Bailey is internationally known as an expert on young children with disabilities. He studies a broad set of issues surrounding the ethical, legal, and social consequences of genetic discoveries and the disclosure of genetic information to families, with a special focus on newborn screening. Currently he is serving a six-year term as an appointed member of the Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children.

The Societal and Ethical Issues in Research Study Section members are selected based on their demonstrated achievements in their scientific discipline as evident in their research, publications, and other significant scientific activities and honors.

For 20 years, Bailey’s work has focused on children with fragile X syndrome, the leading inherited cause of intellectual impairment, and their families. He has an extensive record of publications, with more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and books on a wide variety of topics related to early education, early intervention, disability, and family support.

Bailey holds a doctorate degree in early childhood special education from the University of Washington, a master's degree in early childhood special education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Davidson College.