Harvard Catalyst Profiles

The Shen Neurolaw Lab motto is “Every story is a brain story,” and the mission of the Lab is to translate advances in brain science into better law and policy, and to identify and address the ethical, legal, and social implications of advances in neurotechnology. We study big problems at the cutting edge of law, ethics, neuroscience, and AI, including: the regulation of portable neurotechnology and neuromodulation; advancing more inclusive neuroimaging research; research ethics for digital / computational phenotyping in psychiatry; aging brains and the law; criminal responsibility and sentencing; sports concussions; litigating brain injury and pain; brain-based lie detection; legal implications of the developing and young adult brain; and improving diversity, equity, inclusion in neuroscience research and clinical practice. Opportunities are available for HMS students to work closely with Dr. Shen and other Lab members on legal, ethics, and policy publications at the intersection of neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, and law / policy. In recent years HMS students have co-authored poster abstracts and published articles. Specific tasks will include literature reviews, drafting interdisciplinary research memos, drafting and revising manuscripts, and community engagement activities at the intersection of neuroscience and society. All students are directly mentored by Dr. Francis Shen, JD, PhD, Founder and Director of the Dana Foundation Career Network in Neuroscience & Society; Member, Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics, Law Professor, Univ. of Minnesota; Chief Innovation Officer, MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.