Padmashree Gehl Sampath works as a researcher at UNU-MERIT since 2002. She has a doctocal degree in Law and Economics, and her research specialization is in biotechnology, with a particular emphasis on pharmaceuticals/health, and other issues relating to the global protection of intellectual property rights in developing countries. She actively participates in international discussions around the WTO, TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, on biotechnology-related issues. Her present research projects focus mainly on health innovation and intellectual property, the main endeavor being to validate important theoretical questions with empirical evidence from developing and least developed countries. She is also the Coordinator of UNU-MERIT Research Seminar Series, which brings together scholars working on issues of innovation, technology and development. Dr. Gehl Sampath has consulted various UN organisations, including the World Health Organisation, UNCTAD, the European Commission and also the German Government on intellectual property rights and health innovation issues. She has published several articles and book chapters on these topics, and recently completed the book: Regulating Bioprospecting: Institutions for Drug Research, Access and Benefit-Sharing ( UNU Press, 2005). Dr. Gehl Sampath is also a policy advisor to the Institute for International and European Environmental Policy in Berlin.
13 rue de l'Université - 75 007 Paris - France 