The conference, held at the University of Minnesota, will present the findings and recommendations from a project funded by the National Science Foundation, "NIRT: Evaluating Oversight Models for Active Nanostructures and Nanosystems: Learning from Past Technologies in a Societal Context."
A multidisciplinary group of investigators with strengths in nanotechnology research and development, public policy, law, health, environment, economics, and bioethics will present their findings to key leaders from related oversight agencies and the public. Marchant and other panelists will provide reaction to the project's recommendations.
Marchant's research interests include the use of genetic information in environmental regulation, risk and the precautionary principle, legal aspects of personalized medicine, and regulation of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, neuroscience and biotechnology. He teaches courses in Environmental Law, Law, Science & Technology, Genetics and the Law, Biotechnology: Science, Law and Policy, and Nanotechnology Law & Policy. Marchant also is a professor in ASU's School of Life Sciences.