Postdoctoral Training Program in Genomic Medicine

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Genomics technology is sufficiently advanced to measure DNA sequence variation and RNA expression in clinical samples. However, the integration of genomic measurements into healthcare is outpacing the training of physicians and scientists, and many are ill-equipped to use this information to improve the health of patients. Thus, it is imperative to train the next generation of physician and scientist leaders in Genomic Medicine. We propose to renewal our post-doctoral training program in Genomic Medicine focuses on translational medicine and informatics and is led by Drs. Jason Moore, Edward Rose Professor of Informatics, and Director of the Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics, and Katherine Nathanson, Pearl Basser Professor of BRCA-Related Research, and Deputy Director, Abramson Cancer Center. We provide a foundation for training in Genomic Medicine, applicable to both MD and PhD trained fellows, recognizing that each may enter the program with different skill sets and experiences. It essential to provide all fellows with a strong background framework so that they can develop exciting and relevant projects in Genomic Medicine. Trainees enroll in a two-year program, including didactic courses, clinical and laboratories rotations, interactive learning experiences and research training. We require a balanced portfolio of courses, which cover the latest advances in genomics, focused on the role of genomics in disease processes, quantitative sciences, including biomedical informatics and biostatistics, scientific writing and ELSI issues. The 39 trainers were selected based on their expertise in Genomic Medicine and come from multiple departments, which is further enlarged with clinicians experienced in the provision of Genomic Medicine. The trainees are dually mentored in a research project by a balanced team (e.g. clinician and basic scientist) experienced in Genomic Medicine. Trainees participate in clinical rotations designed to give them experiences that range from the generation of massively parallel sequence data to data analysis to reporting back the results to patients. Trainees also participate in interactive activities, including a journal club, research in progress presentations, clinical genetics rounds and retreats. The combination of coursework, experiential clinical rotations, participation in interactive activities, and mentored research experience prepares our physicians and scientists for careers in Genomic Medicine. Over the past five years, 14 individuals were accepted (42% of applicants) into the Genomic Medicine program - eight physicians, six scientists, from 10 different departments and divisions at Penn Medicine (nine) and CHOP (five). Nine (64%) of our trainees were women and three (21%) reported coming from underrepresented populations. We have been privileged to attract an exceptionally strong and diverse set of trainees and anticipate continuing to be able to do so. We request continued support for the entry of three trainees a year in the Genomic Medicine T32 post-doctoral training program at the University of Pennsylvania.