Greg Barsh , M . D ., Ph . D ., is professor emeritus of genetics and pediatrics at Stanford University , Stanford , California . He is also faculty chair at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology , Huntsville , Alabama . His background in helping families that have inherited conditions helps motivate his efforts to discover the basic rules of biology . Dr . Barsh studies the genetic mechanisms that underlie differences in individual appearance , a deeper understanding of which promises new insight into both basic biology and human disease .
Paul Kruszka , M . D ., MPH , FACMG , is chief medical officer of GeneDx , Stamford , Connecticut , responsible for leading genomic research in rare diseases and promoting access to genomic medicine . Dr . Kruszka is a board-certified clinical geneticist who uses genomic and precision medicine to enhance the delivery of health care to individuals with rare diseases . His career is motivated by the idea that genetic technology can be used to positively impact people ’ s lives .
Jonathan Hickman , PharmD ., is a medical affairs executive director at Genentech with responsibility for the Florida / Puerto Rico territory . Prior to joining Genentech in 2022 , he spent seven years with AstraZeneca , first as a medical science liaison and later as regional and national account director working with CVS / Caremark . A graduate of Florida A & M University , he spent 16 years with Walgreens in various capacities , including health testing coordinator and market immunization direction . Dr . Hickman was appointed to the Florida Board of Pharmacy in 2017 and currently serves as vice chair .
Michael Kreitzinger , MBA , is the senior director of Clinical Strategy and Partnerships for the Americas region at Illumina , a leading developer , manufacturer and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function . He leads the strategic clinical initiatives for health care in genetic disorders , oncology and infectious diseases with the goal of improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome . He received his bachelor ’ s degree from Florida State University and MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University .
Heather Lau , M . D ., is the executive director of Global Clinical Development at Ultragenyx , Novato , California , and adjunct assistant professor of Internal Medicine at Yale University , New Haven , Connecticut . Dr . Lau was the director of the Lysosomal Storage Disorders Program at NYU School of Medicine , where she ran an undiagnosed disease clinic for both adults and pediatric patients . Dr . Lau ’ s clinical research included CNS-directed gene therapy for lysosomal disorders in phase I-IV clinical trials of small molecules ( chaperones and substrate reduction inhibitors ) and proteins ( enzyme ).
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