Vence L. Bonham, Jr BA, JD

Vence Bonham, J.D., serves as the Senior Advisor to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Director on Genomics and Health Disparities. In this role, he leads the Institute’s exploration of the role of genetics and related disciplines in addressing health differences, as well as promoting inclusion of diverse participants in research, and equitable access to the scientific and medical advances of genomics research.
Since 2003, Mr. Bonham has served as an associate investigator at NHGRI within the Division of Intramural Research's Social and Behavioral Research Branch. He leads the Health Disparities Genomics Unit, which researches the social influences of integrating new genomic knowledge and precision medicine into clinical settings without exacerbating healthcare inequities. He studies how genomics influences the use of the constructs of race and ethnicity in biomedical research and clinical care and the role of genomics in health inequities. The Bonham group has expanded to study sickle cell disease, a condition with a significant health disparity impact both in the United States and globally. From 2011 until 2015, Mr. Bonham was the project leader and co-curator for the NHGRI/Smithsonian exhibition "Genome: Unlocking Life's Code.