Jorge L. Contreras, a partner in the Washington DC office of WilmerHale, was recently appointed to the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research (NACHGR). The Council advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) on matters concerning the funding and conduct of genomic research in the United States. The Council also performs second-level peer review for NHGRI grant applications, and determines program priorities for NHGRI and goals for the government's efforts in the International Human Genome Project.

The Council is comprised of 18 members, including leading researchers in the fields of genetics, medicine, bioinformatics, pharmacogenomics and bioethics. Mr. Contreras brings 15 years of experience in the field of intellectual property law to the Council.

During his career, Mr. Contreras has advised leading universities, research institutions and private foundations on issues relating to scientific research, intellectual property and technology development. He helped to establish, and was the primary legal counsel to, the SNP Consortium, an innovative public-private research collaboration dedicated to the identification and mapping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genome. He also serves on the Council of the American Bar Association’s Section of Science and Technology, and as Chair of the Section’s Committee on Technical Standardization.