Research Interests

Dr. Bombard’s research interests include genomics health services and policy research. Other areas of interest include assessing alternate models of care and digital care tools, equity and access to genetic testing, and health technology assessment. Dr. Bombard’s lab conducts clinical trials, mixed methods studies and qualitative research to assess outcomes and inform policy and clinical care.

Current Research Projects

Dr. Bombard is currently leading the following projects:

The Genetics Navigator aims to create the first digital application to deliver the full spectrum of clinical genetic services to reduce wait times and administrative burdens and increase efficiencies in genomics care.

The Genetics Adviser is a virtual platform to support patients undergoing various forms of genomic testing, designed to adapt to different types of patients, test modalities and results.

The Mainstreaming Adviser is a virtual platform designed to support delivery, genetic testing education and results for cancer patients.

Genomic Update: Determining whether a variant causes a disease remains an ongoing challenge as the interpretation of genomic data can change, and the onus of reaching out to a provider for updated information is on the patient. The Genomic Update is a patient platform to facilitate recontact and delivery of patients’ updated genomic results.

Equity in Genomics Study: There is a bias toward inclusion of genomes from European-ancestry individuals in genomics research. Underrepresentation of genomes from diverse populations leads to uncertainty in genetic variation depending on ancestry, and results in a higher rate of misdiagnoses. We aim to develop a practical guide to conduct equitable genomics research within underrepresented and racialized populations.

Equity in Cancer Genetics Study: Cancer screening of high-risk populations for predisposition genes (e.g., breast cancer and BRCA1/2) is critical for early detection and cancer prevention. Yet, racialized individuals are less likely to be referred for genetic tests, and are more likely to receive inconclusive genetic test results. Both can be barriers to appropriate screening for, and prevention of, cancer and increases mortality risk. We aim to explore racialized patients’ and providers’ experiences, needs, barriers and enablers to accessing cancer genetics services and to identify the nature and extent of the disparities in cancer genetics services and cancer outcomes in Ontario.

Education & Training History

Dr. Bombard is a genomics health services researcher and an Associate Professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. She is a Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto where she directs the Genomics Health Services Research Program. Dr. Bombard holds the Canada Research Chair in Genomics Health Services and Policy. She sets research direction at national and international levels as Board Member of the American Society of Human Genetics and CIHR’s Institute of Genetics. Dr. Bombard advises on funding recommendations on emerging genetic testing technologies for Ontario. She also shapes genomics health services research as an editor for Genetics in Medicine Open, the leading genetics practice journal.

Dr. Bombard is a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars and is also the co-founder and CEO of the Genetics Adviser. Dr. Bombard completed her doctoral work in Medical Genetics, Genetic Counselling, Social Science and Bioethics at the University of British Columbia, along with fellowships at the University of Toronto, Yale University and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.

Honours & Awards

• 2022 - Maud Menten New Principal Investigator Award, CIHR Institute of Genetics
• 2022 - Fellow, College of New Scholars, Artists & Scientists, Royal Society of Canada
• 2020 - William E. Rawls Early Career Prize, Canadian Cancer Society
• 2019 - Best Practice in Personalised Medicine, International Consortium for Personalised Medicine tri0
• 2018 - Early Researcher Award, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
• 2016 - Science and Leadership Program, University of Toronto
• 2015 - New Principal Investigator Award, CIHR Institute of Cancer Research & Canadian Cancer Society
• 2014 - New Principal Investigator Award, CIHR Knowledge Translation
• 2014 - Inaugural Maurice McGregor Award, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Other Affiliations

• Member, Board of Directors, American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
• Member, Board of Directors, Exactis Innovation
• Vice-Chair, HSPR and GE3LS Priority and Planning Committee, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Genetics Advisory Board
• Section Editor, Health Services Research & Implementation Science, Genetics in Medicine Open
• Member, Ontario Genetics Advisory Committee, Ontario Health
• Co-Lead, Societal Values and Public Engagement Program, the Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC), University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, BC Cancer Agency, Cancer Care Ontario
• Member, International Genetics Ethics Advisory Committee, International Center of Genetic Disease, Harvard Medical School