The Clinical Geneticist Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities

Dr. Solomon completed training in pediatrics/clinical genetics through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). His initial work at NHGRI focused on understanding the causes of congenital disorders and applying emerging technologies and analytic approaches to genomic and phenotypic datasets. Dr. Solomon joined the Inova Translational Medicine Institute in 2013 as Chief of the Division of Medical Genomics; overseeing a team of clinicians, bioinformaticists, and lab scientists to deliver clinical care and conduct genomic research. In 2016, he became the Managing Director of GeneDx, a genomic biotechnology company with a strong emphasis on research and method development related to novel causes of genetic disease. In this role, he led over 400 molecular geneticists, genetic counselors, and laboratory and research staff. He returned to NHGRI as Clinical Director in 2019. At NHGRI, he is also the head of a research group that studies genetic conditions via artificial intelligence approaches.

Dr. Debra Regier is the Interim Chief for the Children's National Rare Disease. She cares for genetic, palliative care/genetic, and metabolic disease patients and families. Due to her drive to improve care for patients with Rare Diseases, she has worked to advance education across the nation through education of rare disease trainees, researchers, and primary care providers. She serves on the board of directors for the Society of Inherited Metabolic Disorders. And she is the co-director for the NORD Centers of Excellence Education committee. In her free time, she volunteers with Make-A-Wish and enjoys creating metabolic pathways using glass fusion techniques.

Wendy Chung, M.D., Ph.D. is a clinical and molecular geneticist and the Chief of the Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Chung directs NIH funded research programs in human genetics of pulmonary hypertension, breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, autism, birth defects including congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart disease. She is a national leader in the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics. She was the recipient of the NY Academy of Medicine Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Biomedical Science, the Rare Impact Award from the National Organization of Rare Disorders, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Chung received her B.A. in biochemistry from Cornell University, her M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, and her Ph.D. from The Rockefeller University in genetics.

Shoumita Dasgupta, Ph.D., is a scientist educator whose significant scholarly contributions center around inclusive curriculum design, teaching, and service. She is a Professor of Medicine and an Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility as well as of Admissions with a demonstrated history of working in a diverse and inclusive higher education environment. Dr. Dasgupta has leveraged her expertise in basic and medical genetics and genomics, graduate education, and medical education to transform and advance the clinical, scientific, and ethical training of MD and PhD students at Boston University, nationally, and internationally. Her passion for genetics, genomic medicine, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring serve as the foundation for her supportive and creative leadership in the field. Dr. Dasgupta is a US Department of State Fulbright Specialist, a faculty affiliate with the Ibram X. Kendi Center for Antiracism Research, and Past President of the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics where she works with the National Human Genome Research Institute, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and others to promote initiatives in education, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Dasgupta is also under contract with the University of California Press to write a book titled Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA, expected in late 2024 or early 2025.