Dr. Francis Collins – Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH): Former leader of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Collins continues to champion genomic research. Under his direction, NIH has launched significant initiatives in precision medicine and genomic data sharing.
Dr. Eric Topol – Founder, Scripps Research Translational Institute: A cardiologist by training, Dr. Topol has become a leading advocate for personalized medicine. His influential books delve into the future of medicine, emphasizing the patient’s central role in this era of genomics and digital health.
Dr. Anne Wojcicki – Co-founder and CEO, 23andMe: Wojcicki’s 23andMe brought direct-to-consumer genetic testing into the mainstream. The platform not only offers ancestry insights but also health risk assessments, fueling discussions about the democratization of genomic data.
Dr. George Church – Professor, Harvard & MIT: A pioneer in both genomics and synthetic biology, Dr. Church’s work encompasses developing new sequencing methods, exploring gene editing tools, and advancing genomic data storage solutions.
Dr. Jennifer Doudna – Biochemist, UC Berkeley: Co-discoverer of the revolutionary gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, Doudna’s work holds profound implications for personalized medicine, from curing genetic disorders to advancing cancer therapies.
Dr. Craig Venter – Biotechnologist & Entrepreneur: Venter’s strides in genomics range from sequencing the first draft of the human genome to creating synthetic life. His organizations, like the J. Craig Venter Institute and Human Longevity Inc., explore the genomic underpinnings of health and longevity.
Dr. Elaine Mardis – Co-executive Director, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Mardis has been instrumental in applying next-generation sequencing to cancer genomics, offering insights into tumor evolution, mechanisms, and treatment strategies.
Dr. Leroy Hood – Chief Strategy Officer, Co-founder, Institute for Systems Biology: A visionary in biotech, Dr. Hood is credited with developing automated DNA sequencing. His systems approach to biology underscores the interplay of genes, proteins, and metabolism, fostering personalized medicine’s growth.
Dr. Atul Butte – Director, Institute for Computational Health Sciences, UCSF: Focusing on transforming billions of molecular, clinical, and epidemiological data points into diagnostics, therapeutics, and insights, Butte stands at the vanguard of health data-driven personalized medicine.
Dr. Sekar Kathiresan – CEO, Verve Therapeutics: A leading geneticist, Dr. Kathiresan’s work revolves around the genetics of cardiovascular diseases. He has identified several genetic variants associated with heart disease risk, driving forward precision medicine approaches to cardiovascular health.
