Center for Human Genetics & Genomics News | NYU Langone Health

Center for Human Genetics & Genomics Center for Human Genetics & Genomics News

Center for Human Genetics & Genomics News

Stay up to date on the work of researchers in NYU Langone’s Center for Human Genetics and Genomics by reading the latest newsletter and scientific publications. You can also follow us on Twitter.

Hakhamanesh Mostafavi, PhD, Joins the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics

We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Mostafavi in the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics! As an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health’s Division of Biostatistics, he brings expertise in population genetics and genomics. His appointment begins on December 1, 2023.

Gilad D. Evrony, MD, PhD, Awarded 2023 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance named Gilad D. Evrony, MD, PhD, a winner of the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research, awarded annually to cancer research scientists and physician-scientists to empower high-risk, high-reward cancer research.

Gilad D. Evrony, MD, PhD, Receives UG3 Grant

Dr. Evrony received a UG3 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund to develop a single-molecule sequencing technology for profiling single-strand damage and mismatches in DNA.

David B. Beck, MD, PhD, Discusses Prevalence of VEXAS Syndrome

In an article published by CNN, David B. Beck, MD, PhD, discusses his new paper in JAMA in which he shows that VEXAS syndrome, a genetic disorder, may be more common than previously thought.

Toby Aicher Named 2022 Medical Scientist Training Program Vilcek Scholar

Toby Aicher, a graduate student at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, was selected as this year's Medical Scientist Training Program Vilcek Scholar. Toby will conduct his research in Dr. Evrony’s lab.

Faculty Spotlight: Gilad D. Evrony, MD, PhD

Dr. Evrony was a featured lecturer in the Spotlight on Faculty seminar series hosted by Dafna Bar-Sagi, PhD, NYU Langone’s vice dean for science and chief scientific officer. Dr. Evrony discussed his research and the Pediatric Undiagnosed Diseases Program, which he co-directs.

“More than half of undiagnosed rare diseases will remain without a diagnosis, which means that most of those affected will likely not get the treatment that is best suited for their specific condition,” said Dr. Evrony in his talk.

The significance of his work is evident in the stories of his former patients, many of whom received definitive diagnoses through the use of genetic tools, allowing them to receive effective treatment for the first time.

Center for Human Genetics and Genomics Hosts Human Genetics in NYC Conference

In February 2019, the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, under the leadership of Aravinda Chakravarti, PhD, hosted the 7th Human Genetics in NYC conference at NYU Langone. The full-day event, which was attended by more than 400 researchers, ethicists, and other experts in human genetics from across New York City, is held biannually in collaboration with The Rockefeller University, Columbia University, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. This event drew more attendees than any other in its four-year history.

“Here at our new center, we have big ambitions to improve the science and clinical practice of human genetics,” said Dr. Chakravarti in his welcome remarks. Dr. Evrony also spoke, detailing his research focused on genetic conditions that lead to severe developmental abnormalities.

The conference featured scientific presentations on the progress, existing challenges, and areas of future direction in understanding the link between genetic mutations and human disease. Attendees also discussed the complex topic of communicating genetic results with patients and their families and providing them with relevant education and support.

Gilad Evrony, MD, PhD, Launches Pediatric Undiagnosed Diseases Program

Co-directed by John G. Pappas, MD, associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Evrony’s pioneering research program will enroll pediatric patients who have undiagnosed diseases, using advanced genomics technologies to find the molecular–genetic cause of their disease.

Center for Human Genetics and Genomics Welcomes Inaugural Director Aravinda Chakravarti, PhD

In April 2018, celebrated geneticist Aravinda Chakravarti, PhD, joined NYU Langone as the inaugural director of the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics. Dr. Chakravarti is known for his seminal work on elucidating the complex genetic underpinning of human disease.

Under his leadership, the center will further explore how large-scale genetic analyses can inform the development of new targeted treatments. Dr. Chakravarti and his team aim to innovate genetic research by taking an interdisciplinary approach, working closely with faculty across NYU Langone.