December 22, 2025
Professor Medha D. Makhlouf presents on the legal foundations of inclusive clinical trials at medical conference
She spoke at a satellite event coinciding with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology
Medha D. Makhlouf, left, speaks during "Designing for Equity."
CARLISLE, Pa.—On December 5, 2025, Professor Medha D. Makhlouf presented a talk titled “Designing for Equity: Legal Foundations of Inclusive Clinical Trials” at a satellite event coinciding with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in Orlando, Florida. The purpose of the symposium was to convene oncology professionals, researchers, and policy advocates who are committed to advancing equitable outcomes in cancer care and research.
Makhlouf’s presentation related to her research about how law can be a tool to improve health and health equity. She explained how various laws shape who gets included in clinical trials, who gets left out, and whether research adequately reflects outcomes in diverse populations. Ula Zarnowska ’27, a second-year law student with interests in health care and consumer protection law, assisted with preparing the presentation.
Indy Hematology Education, the host of the symposium, is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing hematology and oncology education. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to current and future medical professionals who may not otherwise have access and to improve patient outcomes in the communities they serve.
Professor Medha D. Makhlouf is the Elsie de R. and Samuel P. Orlando Distinguished Professor and founding director of the Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic at Penn State Dickinson Law. She has a joint appointment in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine. Professor Makhlouf’s research and teaching interests lie at the intersection of health law, immigrants’ rights, and poverty law and policy. Her recent scholarship has been published in the Boston University Law Review, New York University Law Review, and the Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law & Ethics. Professor Makhlouf is currently writing a book, tentatively titled Health Justice for Migrants, which is under contract with Cambridge University Press.