AGHI Leadership
Oversight Committee – Supervision of the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative to ensure maximum value to participants, the research community, and the state of Alabama.
The Alabama Genomic Health Initiative Oversight Committee is charged with reviewing all policies and procedures associated with the project:
Mitchell B. Cohen, MD
Chair of UAB Department of Pediatrics and AGHI Oversight Committee Chair
Rick Myers, PhD
President and Science Director at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Three additional leaders in the UAB School of Medicine also serve on the Oversight Committee:
Etty Benveniste, PhD
Senior Vice Dean for Basic Sciences
Robert Kimberly, MD
Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research
Toni Leeth, MPH
Associate Dean for Strategic Planning and Administration
Principal Investigators – Charged with overall responsibility and accountability for conducting the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative
The principal investigators leading the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative are charged with overall responsibility and accountability for the project:
Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD
Chief Genomics Officer of UAB Medicine
Greg Barsh, MD, PhD
Faculty Investigator and Faculty Chair at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Matthew Might, PhD
Director of UAB Hugh Kaul Personalized Medicine Institute
Working Groups – Leading defined areas of responsibility for the Alabama Genomic Heath Initiative
Bioethics Working Group
The Bioethics Working Group is charged with ensuring the highest standards of ethical review and practices in all areas of the initiative. This includes a full review of all protocols to ensure high levels of confidentiality and transparency to participants regarding benefits and risks associated with participation in the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.
Co-chairs
Tom May, PhD
Research Faculty Investigator at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Mariko Nakano, PhD
Assistant Professor of Bioethics at UAB School of Medicine
Stephen Sodeke, PhD
Bioethicist and Professor of Allied Health Sciences, National Center for Bioethics in Research & Healthcare, Tuskegee University
Data and Biobank Working Group
The Data and Biobank Working Group is charged with developing a plan to manage confidential storage and future analysis of blood specimens, DNA, and analysis data returned by HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This working group will ensure the highest standards of confidentiality for participant data, while developing a data plan for future research opportunities made possible by the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative
Co-chairs
Jim Cimino, MD
Director of UAB Informatics Institute
Jeff Edberg, PhD
Professor in UAB Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group is charged with the development of educational resources both online and in print for participants and the general public. Helping provide information about the value of genetics and genomic medicine is an important goal of the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.
Co-chairs
Kelly East
Certified Genetic Counselor at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Whitley Kelley, CGC
Certified Genetic Counselor at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Genomics Working Group
The Genomics Working Group is charged with the actual analysis of each participant’s blood sample and developing a report of the results to return to consenting participants and providers. This working group is also responsible for convening a variant review group to determine actionable findings to communicate back to participants and providers.
Co-chairs
Greg Cooper, PhD
Faculty Investigator at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Anna Hurst, MD
Assistant Professor in UAB Department of Genetics
Recruitment Working Group
The Recruitment Working Group is charged with recruiting participants who represent the demographics of Alabama. This working group is also engaging key stakeholders to evaluate recruitment, education, and communication strategies associated with the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.
Co-chairs
Mona Fouad, MD
UAB Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
William Curry, MD
UAB Associate Dean for Rural Health & Primary Care
Engagement Working Group
The Engagement working group is charged with engaging key stakeholders to evaluate recruitment, education, and communication strategies associated with the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.
Program Director
Renie Moss
205.934.9525 – imoss@uabmc.edu
AGHI Program Director