Genomics of Rare Diseases: Understanding Disease Genetics Using Genomic Approaches

Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui grew up in Mexico where she did her undergraduate studies in Genomic Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She obtained her PhD in Molecular and Human Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine, where she contributed to large population genomic studies such as HapMap 3 and pioneered the analyses of genomic sequencing data for the identification of disease genes and molecular diagnoses. Since then her research has focused on the investigation of human pathogenic and polymorphic genomic variation that contribute to human traits and diseases. Her current research focuses on family-based analyses of rare and common genetic disorders to better understand disease pathophysiology. Claudia believes that the application and understanding of human genetics and genomics can lead to improved treatments and the realization of precision genomic medicine. Because the beginning of precision medicine is an accurate genetic diagnosis, Claudia has dedicated great part of her career to the study and identification of novel genes responsible for rare genetic disorders to provide molecular answers to patients with undiagnosed diseases.

Jim Lupski is Cullen Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics and Professor of Pediatrics. He received his initial scientific training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as an Undergraduate Research Participant (URP) and at New York University receiving his undergraduate degree in chemistry and biology (1979), completing the MD/PhD program in 1985. In 1986, moved to Houston, Texas for clinical training in pediatrics (1986-1989) and medical genetics (1989-1992), then establishing his laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine. Jim is an elected member of AAAS (1996), ASCI (1998), IOM/NAM (2002), and American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2013). For his work in human genomics and elucidation of genomic disorders, he received a DSc honoris causa in 2011 from the Watson School of Biological Sciences at CSHL. He has co-authored > 800 scientific publications, co-edited 3 books including the definitive text on genomic disorders, is a co-inventor on more than a dozen patents and delivered over 536 invited lectures in 38 countries.