Alabama Genomic Health Initiative

AGHI Leadership

Oversight Committee – Supervision of the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative to ensure maximum value to participants, the research community, and the state of Alabama.

The Alabama Genomic Health Initiative Oversight Committee is charged with reviewing all policies and procedures associated with the project:

Mitchell B. Cohen, MD Mitchell B. Cohen, MD Chair of UAB Department of Pediatrics and AGHI Oversight Committee Chair
Rick Myers, PhD Rick Myers, PhD President and Science Director at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

Three additional leaders in the UAB School of Medicine also serve on the Oversight Committee:

Etty Benveniste, PhD Etty Benveniste, PhD Senior Vice Dean for Basic Sciences
Robert Kimberly, MD Robert Kimberly, MD Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research
 Toni Leeth, MPH Toni Leeth, MPH Associate Dean for Strategic Planning and Administration

Principal Investigators – Charged with overall responsibility and accountability for conducting the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative

The principal investigators leading the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative are charged with overall responsibility and accountability for the project:

Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD Chief Genomics Officer of UAB Medicine
Greg Barsh, MD, PhD Greg Barsh, MD, PhD Faculty Investigator and Faculty Chair at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Matthew Might, PhD Matthew Might, PhD Director of UAB Hugh Kaul Personalized Medicine Institute

Working Groups – Leading defined areas of responsibility for the Alabama Genomic Heath Initiative

Bioethics Working Group

The Bioethics Working Group is charged with ensuring the highest standards of ethical review and practices in all areas of the initiative. This includes a full review of all protocols to ensure high levels of confidentiality and transparency to participants regarding benefits and risks associated with participation in the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.

Co-chairs

 Tom May, PhD Tom May, PhD Research Faculty Investigator at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
 Mariko Nakano, PhD Mariko Nakano, PhD Assistant Professor of Bioethics at UAB School of Medicine
 Stephen Sodeke, PhD Stephen Sodeke, PhD Bioethicist and Professor of Allied Health Sciences, National Center for Bioethics in Research & Healthcare, Tuskegee University

Data and Biobank Working Group

The Data and Biobank Working Group is charged with developing a plan to manage confidential storage and future analysis of blood specimens, DNA, and analysis data returned by HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This working group will ensure the highest standards of confidentiality for participant data, while developing a data plan for future research opportunities made possible by the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative

Co-chairs

 Jim Cimino, MD Jim Cimino, MD Director of UAB Informatics Institute
Jeff Edberg, PhD Jeff Edberg, PhD Professor in UAB Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

Education Working Group

The Education Working Group is charged with the development of educational resources both online and in print for participants and the general public. Helping provide information about the value of genetics and genomic medicine is an important goal of the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.

Co-chairs

Kelly East Kelly East Certified Genetic Counselor at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Whitley Kelley, CGC Whitley Kelley, CGC Certified Genetic Counselor at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

Genomics Working Group

The Genomics Working Group is charged with the actual analysis of each participant’s blood sample and developing a report of the results to return to consenting participants and providers. This working group is also responsible for convening a variant review group to determine actionable findings to communicate back to participants and providers.

Co-chairs

Greg Cooper, PhD Greg Cooper, PhD Faculty Investigator at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
 Anna Hurst, MD Anna Hurst, MD Assistant Professor in UAB Department of Genetics

Recruitment Working Group

The Recruitment Working Group is charged with recruiting participants who represent the demographics of Alabama. This working group is also engaging key stakeholders to evaluate recruitment, education, and communication strategies associated with the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.

Co-chairs

 Mona Fouad, MD Mona Fouad, MD UAB Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
 William Curry, MD William Curry, MD UAB Associate Dean for Rural Health & Primary Care

Engagement Working Group

The Engagement working group is charged with engaging key stakeholders to evaluate recruitment, education, and communication strategies associated with the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.

Program Director

Renie Moss Renie Moss 205.934.9525 – imoss@uabmc.edu AGHI Program Director

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