Pr. Avard's research interests include socio-ethical issues related to the genetic testing and screening of the newborn, children, adolescents and vulnerable adults. Other research interests are in oncogenetics and knowledge transfer.

Denise Avard is the Research Director for the Genetics and Society Project. Her research interests are in the areas of genetic testing and screening relevant to newborn, children, adolescents and persons with disabilities. She has an added interest in knowledge transfer and genetic epidemiology. She obtained her doctorate in social epidemiology from the University of Cambridge, England, and a Master's degree in sociology and a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining the CRDP she was Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Child Health and assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.