The Program for Applied Research and Development in Genomic Medicine (PARADIGM) At the university of florida

FACULTY MENTOR: Duane Mitchell, MD, PhD

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Development of an Immunogenomics-informed Personalized Treatment Paradigm for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer”

Dr. Gbadamosi’s current research aims to profile the immunogenomic landscape of mTNBC specimens using a combination of transcriptomic technologies and other in silico methods to identify dysregulated molecular pathways and aberrant gene expression patterns that may be associated with abrogated response to immuno-oncology agents. The second part of my research will focus on assessing the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of our top combinatorial strategies in preclinical models.

BACKGROUND: PhD University of Florida

FACULTY MENTORS: Jatinder K. Lamba, PhD, MSc and Christopher D. Vulpe, MD, PhD

“The CRISPR Synthetic Lethality Screens Identify Resistant/Sensitive Modulators of Chemotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)”

Dr. Nguyen’s research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying patient responses to both standard chemotherapy and newly approved agents in AML to identify novel pathways and targets to overcome drug resistance. The research’s long-term goal is to apply these findings to uncover new targets and drugs that overcome chemoresistance, as well as to personalize and prioritize treatment in order to improve patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: PharmD/MS (2019), University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

FACULTY MENTOR: Jatinder K. Lamba, PhD, MSc

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Genome-wide Association Study in Children Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia”

Dr. Marrero’s research efforts are focused on identifying genetic markers predictive of therapeutic outcome in pediatric cancer patients. Dr. Marrero’s long-term goal is developing algorithms to incorporate pharmacogenomic markers with other prognostic factors to advance precision medicine in oncology.

BACKGROUND: PharmD, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Gregory School of Pharmacy

FACULTY MENTORS: Ali Zarrinpar, MD, PhD; Danxin Wang, MD, PhD; Jatinder Lamba, PhD; Caitrin McDonough Rowe, PhD

RESEARCH PROJECTS: “Genomic and transcriptomic mechanisms responsible for the development of Chemotherapy resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma using murine xenograft models” &
“Impact of CYP3A5, CYP3A4, and ABCB1 genotypes on tacrolimus dosing and monitoring in liver transplant patients”

Dr. Ladd’s research efforts are focused on exploring the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using murine xenograft models. Additionally, she is working on a pharmacogenomics project involving tacrolimus dosing in liver transplant recipients, with the goal of determining whether genetic variation in liver metabolizing enzymes and intestinal transporters affects the variation in drug trough levels and drug dosing in patients.

BACKGROUND: MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

FACULTY MENTORS: Dr. Steven Hughes, MD and Dr. Jose G. Trevino, MD

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Oral microbiome, genomics and diversity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)”
Dr. Herremans’ research focuses on the oral microbiome, genomics and diversity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

BACKGROUND: MD, University of Florida

FACULTY MENTORS: Jose Trevino, MD and Alexander Parker, PhD

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Genomics of pancreatic cancer across diverse populations to inform etiology, prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets,”

Dr. Riner’s research focused on the exploration of the genomics of pancreatic cancer across diverse populations to inform etiology, prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets, as well as develop a better understanding of pancreatic cancer disparities through analysis of genomic variants in relation to ancestral heritage.

BACKGROUND: MD, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MPH, Boston University

FACULTY MENTORS: Christopher Vulpe, MD, PhD and Amara Estrada, DVM

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Use of CRISPR gene editing technology for treatment of inherited Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinscher dogs”

Dr. Shen’s research involves the use of CRISPR gene editing technology for treatment of inherited Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinscher dogs.

BACKGROUND: DVM, University of Florida

FACULTY MENTOR: Gilbert R. Upchurch, MD

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Genomic predictors of abdominal aortic aneurysm”

Dr. Pruitt’s research focused on the analysis of genetic associations of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in the UK Biobank Data, which uses data from the Million Veterans Program for validation. Through his GWAS he identified a potential target gene and is currently in the process of translating his in-silico work into both mice and human models to better understanding the role of this gene in aneurysm development.

BACKGROUND: MD, University of Florida

FACULTY MENTOR: Julio Duarte, Pharm.D., Ph.D., FAHA

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Analyzing prescribing trends for drugs with pharmacogenetic associations in medically underserved areas and populations”

Dr. Dalton’s research focused on prescribing patterns of CPIC drugs in well served and underserved populations.

BACKGROUND: PharmD, University of Florida

FACULTY MENTOR: Carol A. Mathews, MD

RESEARCH PROJECT: “Genome-wide association study in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome having overlapping phenotypes”

Dr. Claudio-Campos’ research focused genetic correlation and polygenic risk score to understand the genetic overlapping of Tourette syndrome with other psychiatric diseases. She also analyzed clinical data comparing two psychiatric diagnosis: persistent motor or vocal tics and Tourette syndrome in order to describe the clinical manifestations of the former as it is less studied, and provide insights regarding whether these diagnoses should be considered as a unitary condition which is a matter of debate in the field.

BACKGROUND: PhD, University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus

FACULTY MENTOR: Larisa H. Cavallari, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP

RESEARCH PROJECT: “CYP2D6 Genotype-Guided Postoperative Pain Management”

The primary project Dr. Thomas was involved with included the prospective, randomized, observational study of CYP2D6 genotype-guided pain management in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. This project evaluated the feasibility of clinically implementing CYP2D6 genotype-guided postsurgical pain management and determined the impact of such an approach on pain control.

BACKGROUND: PGY-2 Clinical Pharmacogenetics Resident, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident, UF Health Jacksonville, PharmD, University of Florida