Part 2: Putting Recommendations into Practice - Examples from Genomic Research Studies

Dr. Madden is a program director in the Training, Diversity and Health Equity (TiDHE) Office within the Office of the Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Prior to this position, she served as a Research Geneticist at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Chief of Staff of the Office of the Director within the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and Program Director in the Division of Genomic Medicine, NHGRI. Her research portfolio includes the Diversity Centers for Genome Research program, the Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates to the Genomics Fields to Enhance Diversity (GREAT) program, ComPASS, and other grants and programs related to genomics and health equity. Dr. Madden received her B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her M.S. in Genetic Counseling and her Ph.D. in Genetics and Human Genetics from Howard University. Her research interests include population genomics, genomic medicine, complex disease, and health disparities.

John Novembre, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of Chicago in the Departments of Human Genetics and Ecology & Evolution. His research develops computational methods to address a wide range of questions regarding genetic diversity. His work has especially had an impact on the understanding and analysis of geographic patterns in human genetic variation. He recently served on the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on the Use of Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry as Population Descriptors in Genomics Research. He has been awarded as a MacArthur Fellow, Searle Scholar, and Sloan Research Fellow, and his research is supported by the National Institutes of Health.  He also serves as an academic editor for the journal Genetics.  

Justin Eze Ideozu is a Senior Scientist in Genomic Medicine at AbbVie’s Genetic Research Center and the Founder of MyAfroDNA. Justin’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Human Anatomy from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, sparking a lifelong fascination with understanding the complexities of the human body systems. His educational pursuits led him to attain an M.Sc. in Environmental and Public Health and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Salford Manchester, UK. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University, USA, Justin deployed integrated ~omics approaches to define cystic fibrosis genetic disease and its phenotypes. In the industry, Justin serves as a Senior Scientist in Genomic Medicine at AbbVie, where he supports drug discovery efforts across diverse therapeutic areas. Recognizing the critical need for diversity in genomic research, Justin founded MyAfroDNA—a biobank that aims to ensure equitable representation and benefits for individuals of African descent in genomics. Justin has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of genomics, promoting diversity in research, and creating a lasting impact on the future of genomics and translational research.