Ubaka Ogbogu, LLB, BL, LLM, SJD

Professor, Faculty of Law

Pronouns: he, him, his

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Professor, Faculty of Law

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Health Law Law and Biotechnology Law and Science Policy Biomedical Law Bioethics Public Health Law and Policy Medical Malpractice Law Torts Legal History of Public Health

About

Ubaka Ogbogu is a Professor in the Faculty of Law. He holds the Katz Chair in Health Law and served as the Faculty's Associate Dean for Research from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025. Ogbogu is a Member of the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists and the Chair of the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board 2. Dr. He is a recipient of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations Distinguished Academic Early Career Award. He holds a doctorate in law from the University of Toronto, a Master of Laws degree from the University of Alberta and undergraduate degrees in law from the University of Benin, Nigeria and the Nigerian Law School. Ogbogu’s scholarly work is focused broadly on the ethical, legal and societal implications of novel and emerging biotechnologies and associated research. His publications have explored a diverse range of issues in this field, including the ethical and legal issues associated with stem cell research, gene and engineered cell therapies, biobanks, germline gene editing and assisted reproductive technologies. As a multidisciplinary scholar, his teaching and research activities explore and cut across various fields, including health law, bioethics, science policy, science and technology studies, public health, legal history and legal philosophy. He has led or been involved in many prominent national and international biotechnology policymaking activities and writes and comments frequently in the popular press on matters relating to the impacts of biotechnology and science on society. Ogbogu has served on numerous boards and councils, including the Health Quality Council of Alberta, Council of Canadian Academies Expert Panel on Somatic Gene and Engineered Cell Therapies, the Council of Canadian Academies Expert Panel on Medical Assistance in Dying, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Stem Cell Oversight Committee, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Governing Council’s Standing Committee on Ethics, and the International Society for Stem Cell Research Task Force on Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation.

Research

Courses

LAW 486 - Jurisprudence

An examination of law from a theoretical rather than a doctrinal perspective. Every year, the course will consist of a number of seminar offerings whose focus will be on a broader theoretical examination of law, legal processes, and institutions. Each of these courses will allow a critical examination of law from a variety of perspectives such as; legal theory, literature, politics, economics, social and cultural development, and religion.

Fall Term 2026

LAW 596 - Advanced Torts

An analysis of, and problems in, the Law of Torts.

Winter Term 2027

LAW 599 - Seminars on Specialized Legal Topics

These seminars will cover specialized topics of emerging importance in the law at a senior level. The particular topic covered would vary dependent on the availability of Faculty with necessary teaching competence, student interest, and the needs of the legal profession. Sections may be offered at an increased rate of fee assessment; refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations sections of the Calendar.

Winter Term 2027

Browse more courses taught by Ubaka Ogbogu

Featured Publications

Closing the gap? China’s new regulation on biomedical technologies

Ubaka Ogbogu

Stem Cell Reports. 2026 July; 10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102978

Making Advanced Therapies Affordable and Accessible: Two Strategic Approaches

Ubaka Ogbogu, Lauren Albrecht

Developing World Bioethics. 2025 September; 10.1111/dewb.70004

Report on Regulatory Frameworks for Clinical Research on and Marketing Authorization of Regenerative Medicine Products in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Zenodo. 2025 May; 10.5281/zenodo.15362272

Report on Regenerative Medicine Clinical Research Activities and Product Pipelines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Africa and Asia

Zenodo. 2025 May; 10.5281/zenodo.15362144

Advanced Regenerative Medicines for Rare Diseases: A Review of Industry Sponsors Investment Motivations

Ubaka Ogbogu, Anja Nel

Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science. 2024 November; 10.1007/s43441-024-00690-x

Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Bioethics: Recommendations from the Association of Bioethics Program Directors Presidential Task Force

Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Alexis Walker, Shawneequa L. Callier, Faith E. Fletcher, Charlene Galarneau, Nanibaa’ Garrison, Jennifer E. James, Renee McLeod-Sordjan, Ubaka Ogbogu, Nneka Sederstrom, Patrick T. Smith, Clarence H. Braddock, Christine Mitchell

The American Journal of Bioethics. 2024 October; 10.1080/15265161.2024.2371116

Clinical use of autologous cell-based therapies in an evolving regulatory landscape: A survey of patient experiences and perceptions

Ubaka Ogbogu, Nevicia Case

F1000Research. 2024 August; 10.12688/f1000research.141002.2

Advanced Regenerative Medicines for Rare Diseases: A Review of Industry Sponsors Investment Motivations

OSF. 2024 January; 10.17605/osf.io/3a2yj

Pandemic Necropolitics: Vulnerability, Resilience, and the Crisis of Marginalization in the Liberal Democratic State

Ubaka Ogbogu

2023 January; 10.2139/ssrn.4385314

Clinical Use of Autologous Cell-Based Therapies in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape: A Survey of Patient Experiences and Perceptions (Dataset and Survey Questionnaire)

OSF. 2023 January; 10.17605/osf.io/be59v

Media representations of COVID-19 public health policies: assessing the portrayal of essential health services in Canadian print media

Ubaka Ogbogu, Lorian Hardcastle

BMC Public Health. 2021 December; 10.1186/s12889-021-10300-2

Plumbing the Depths of Ethical Payment for Research Participation

Holly Fernandez Lynch, Thomas C. Darton, Jae Levy, Frank McCormick, Ubaka Ogbogu, Ruth O. Payne, Alvin E. Roth, Akilah Jefferson Shah, Thomas Smiley, Emily A. Largent

The American Journal of Bioethics. 2021 May; 10.1080/15265161.2021.1895364

Promoting Ethical Payment in Human Infection Challenge Studies

Holly Fernandez Lynch, Thomas C. Darton, Jae Levy, Frank McCormick, Ubaka Ogbogu, Ruth O. Payne, Alvin E. Roth, Akilah Jefferson Shah, Thomas Smiley, Emily A. Largent

The American Journal of Bioethics. 2021 March; 10.1080/15265161.2020.1854368