The Program for Applied Research and Development in Genomic Medicine (PARADIGM) At the university of florida
The postdoctoral training program, PARADIGM, helps train clinicians and researchers who are poised to lead the next generation of scientists into an era where genomic medicine approaches are a routine part of patient care.
Francis Collins, M.d., Ph.D., Former Director of the National Institutes of Health
Decoding the Human Genome
"Decoding the human genome sequence is the most significant undertaking that we have mounted so far in an organized way in all of science. I believe that reading our blueprints, cataloguing our own instruction book, will be judged by history as more significant than even splitting the atom or going to the moon."
PROGRAM SUMMARY AND TRAINEE BENEFITS
The Program for Applied Research and Development in Genomic Medicine, or PARADIGM, is funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Human Genomic Research Institute and will prepare trainees to be leaders in genomic medicine research and implementation. Trainees will receive didactic training tailored to their needs, extensive mentoring from world-renowned scientists, valuable clinical exposure in multiple areas of genomic medicine and stimulating career development opportunities in a robust, interdisciplinary research environment at UF.
The following are among the many trainee benefits of the program:
- Train in a rich research environment at the University of Florida.
- Gain in-depth knowledge in genomic medicine and research practices through a comprehensive didactic program that includes courses in genomic medicine, grant writing, biostatistics and more.
- Establish a primary research project that will support development of manuscripts, grant applications and presentations at UF and national meetings.
- Earn a graduate certificate in precision medicine to enhance training.
- Access to interdisciplinary learning opportunities at the University of Florida.
- Guidance from a primary mentor and mentoring committee who will support the trainee through the program.
- Spend at least 32 hours in a clinical genomic medicine setting to support implementation and broaden perspectives of the field.
- Substantial professional development training through exposure to several genomic medicine career pathways, seminar series events, annual UF research days and attendance at national and international meetings.
PROGRAM FACTS
Areas of Research Genomic medicine with an emphasis in: • Pharmacogenomics • Cancer genomics • Disease genetics/genomics
4 Number of Trainees
2 Years Duration of the Program (Optional third year is available)
Eligibility • U.S. citizen or permanent resident status • Holds doctorate degree • Preference will be given to those with a clinical doctorate
April 1, 2023 Application Deadline (Priority will be given to applicants who apply by Feb. 1, 2023.)
Stipend Paid per NIH Postdoctoral Year Levels
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Distinguished Professor
Julie Johnson, Pharm.D.
UF College of Pharmacy
DEAN’S PROFESSOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
Stephen Kimmel, M.D., MSCE
UF COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Julio Duarte, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
UF College of Pharmacy
Meet our Multidisciplinary Team
CURRENT AND PAST TRAINEES
CURRENT TRAINEE
Mohammed Gbadamosi, Ph.D.
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 curent 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
CURRENT TRAINEE
Nam H. K. Nguyen, Pharm.D., M.S.
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
CURRENT TRAINEE
Richard J. Marrero, Pharm.D.
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
CURRENT TRAINEE
Alexandra Ladd, M.D.
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
CURRENT TRAINEE
Kelly Herremans, M.D.
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
Andrea Riner, M.D., M.P.H.
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
Lilian Shen, D.V.M.
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
Eric Pruitt, M.D.
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
Rachel Dalton, Pharm.D., M.S.
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
Karla Claudio-Campos, Ph.D.
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
Cameron D. Thomas, Pharm.D.
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
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are encouraged to submit the application materials listed below by April 1, 2023.
- CV
- Personal statement (In two pages or less, describe your background, interest and experience in genomic medicine and your career goals)
- Research plan or goals statement (If you are a UF postdoc planning to stay in your current lab, you should describe your primary research project and mentor. If you are not a UF postdoc, please describe which of the three focus areas you are interested in pursuing and the type of project you would like to pursue. Also, please include mentors with whom you would be interested in working.)
- Three letters of recommendation (mailed by referee to Elizabeth Eddy at the address below)
- Unofficial transcript (mailed to Elizabeth Eddy at the address below)
ONLINE FOrm
Submit Your Application
Applicants to the PARADIGM Training Program need to complete this form.
MAILING ADDRESS
Elizabeth Eddy, M.P.H.
UF College of Pharmacy
1225 Center Drive
PO Box 100486, Office 3308B
Gainesville, FL 32610