Women only make up 30% of all researchers worldwide, according to a recent UNESCO report, and yet, women have made some of the biggest contributions to shape the field of genomics as we know it today. Now, it’s more important than ever to recognize women in science, especially in fields with existing gender disparities.
In celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are highlighting some of the inspiring women at Duke’s Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine (CAGPM.) We spoke with them to learn more about their careers and what excites them about genomics.
TEJI RAKHRA-BURRIS, Program Leader of the Precision Medicine Program
What is your job title and description?
I am program leader of CAGPM’s Precision Medicine Program, which includes overseeing administration and program management of complex scientific research programs. I am also the program manager for the NHGRI-funded IGNITE Network Coordinating Center and the Duke Clinical Group, where I oversee the proposal development, management, and implementation of precision medicine clinical research efforts.
What is your background in science?
I have a Masters of Administration in Molecular Genetics from Washington University in St. Louis. I worked for the Washington University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board after receiving my masters and did program management for the Associate Dean of Clinical Research for 2 years. From there, I moved to North Carolina to find a job at UNC-CH School of Public Health with the Center for Genomics and Public Health then with the UNC-CH School of Pharmacy with the Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy. I landed at Duke 10 years ago to work at CAGPM.
What made you interested in science?
I read Jurassic Park – no, really! I was fascinated with the science of it and I also did really well in genetics back in high school.
What excites you about the future of genomics and where the field is headed?
There is still so much to learn still – there has been so much discovery but importantly, so much that has already been discovered that can be readily applied to better an individual’s health. Getting that knowledge out there to our community is exciting.
RACHEL MYERS, Research Scientist
What is your job title and description?
I am a research scientist and collaborate with CAGPM investigators to provide the analytical support needed for their current projects and project proposals. I also train, supervise, and mentor the data science & analytics team members.
What is your background in science?
I have a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology, with a minor in chemistry; a PhD in Bioinformatics; and post-doctoral training in human genetics.
What advice do you have for someone looking to pursue a career in science?
Explore early and often! In high school, take as many different science, math and technology courses as you can. Once at the college level, use the summers to try full-time lab positions – this helps you identify what you truly enjoy and what you don’t enjoy while giving you time to pivot your major and/or electives. For example, I thought I wanted to be a wet-lab pharmaceutical researcher. After a few semesters and a summer internship, I realized I didn’t like wet lab work, but I loved working with data. I was able to work in some extra statistics and programming classes into my undergrad work to set myself up for a bioinformatics PhD.
Why did you choose to come work with CAGPM?
I was really interested in the diversity of investigators and projects, the translational component that can effect change in healthcare, and the growth this Center offered.
RYANNE WU, Associate Professor of Medicine
What is your job title and description?
I am an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Duke, and faculty with CAGPM.
What is your background in science?
I received my MD at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine before doing my residency at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. I am an internal medicine physician and health services researcher with an emphasis on implementation of precision medicine interventions in real-world clinical settings.
What excites you about the future of genomics and where the field is headed?
As a field, we are coming to a greater realization of the importance of not focusing on genetics alone but integrating genetic knowledge with social, environmental and familial risk and exposures. The intersection of all these factors is important for understanding disease risk and how to mitigate that risk.
KATHERINE COLLINS, Postdoctoral Fellow (T32 Trainee) with CAGPM
What is your job title and description?
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow within CAGPM under the Genomic Medicine Research T32. I am training in Dr. William Kraus’ lab investigating genetic and molecular determinants associated with dropout from and adherence to exercise and lifestyle interventions.
What is your background in science?
My background in science includes a BS in Biology from Pfeiffer University, MS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh, and PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh. I have been a postdoctoral fellow at Duke for almost 2.5 years, and just received T32 funding in July 2021 through CAGPM to fund another 2 years of postdoctoral work.
What made you interested in science?
Growing up, science was always my favorite topic in school, primarily biology. Learning about how living organisms function and the vital processes that help them do so was always fascinating to me. However, it wasn’t until college that I connected my love for science with my love for sports. Given my college soccer career was coming to a close, I decided to apply to graduate school in exercise physiology, connecting my two passions in life. This was one of the best things I decided to do with my life. The research opportunities I had at the University of Pittsburgh were eye opening. I had the opportunity to help with a research study involving a commercial weight loss program and following the program I saw how excited participants were to see their hard work pay off and become more physically active - which was such a rewarding experience. This experience and opportunity led me to pursue my PhD, and ultimately a career in science, towards understanding the genetic and molecular underpinnings, in conjunction with environmental and behavioral factors, that play a role in an individual’s experience with exercise and weight loss.
SUSANNE HAGA, Associate Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of Educational Programs
What is your job title and description?
I am an Associate Professor in Medicine in the Department of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Duke, and faculty member of CAGPM. I am also co-director of educational programs at CAGPM, which includes the post-doctoral training program and undergraduate opportunities. I am also an Associate Research Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, an Associate Research Professor of Biology at Trinity College of Arts and Sciences.
What is your background in science?
I have a PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Maryland. Before coming to Duke, I was a senior policy analyst at the National Institutes of Health and a project director of human genetics at the J. Craig Venter Institute. My research interests focus on issues affecting the translation of genomics to clinical practice. Specifically, I have a strong interest in education, with each of my research projects involving some component of professional, public, or patient education. That has included the development of educational materials about genomic research in general, pharmacogenetic testing, and communicating genetic test results, as well as undergraduate teaching in genetics/genomics, ethics and policy.
What advice do you have for someone looking to pursue a career in science?
It will be hard at first — don’t give up. Once you get past the basic stuff, all the pieces from different areas of science, such as biology, chemistry, physics, math, will begin to come together.
What excites you about the future of genomics and where the field is headed?
I’m excited about the technological developments within the field, as well as new understandings of genes/pathways and disease pathology. There are so many potential interventions to be discovered that can “adjust” or “correct” genes, or their products, for therapeutic benefit.
LORI ORLANDO, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Precision Medicine Program
What is your job title and description?
I am a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Duke, and a faculty member of CAGPM. I joined CAGPM in 2009, and became the director of the Center’s Precision Medicine Program. Since joining CAGPM, I’ve been leading the development and implementation of MeTree, a patient-facing family health history based risk assessment and clinical decision support program designed to facilitate the uptake of risk stratified evidence-based guidelines.
What is your background in science?
I worked in basic science as a laboratory technician in pathology during a summer internship at Harvard when I was in college and then in hematology at UNC and pulmonary at Tulane after graduating from college. I completed a health services research fellowship at Duke after finishing residency at Tulane, getting a Masters in Health Science for research.
What made you interested in science?
I’ve always loved science and math. My brain is very analytical and I like solving problems. Once I began to understand how little we actually know about health, it was easy to get pulled into science research in healthcare. But when I was introduced to clinical research as a resident, I was hooked. I had previously been planning to practice clinical care in underserved areas, but once I realized that research had to be a part of my future, I knew I needed to stay in an academic center.
I continue to love research as much as I did when I first started (if not more) and though it is very hard to balance a clinical career and a research career I would not give up the balance for anything. They both serve essential needs. Clinical care reminds me why we need the research, is unbelievably fulfilling, and keeps me grounded. On the other hand, the research allows me to stretch my brain into areas I never would have thought about during routine clinical practice.
What excites you about the future of genomics and where the field is headed?
What isn’t exciting about genomics! Nothing has changed the field of medicine more than genomics. Its potential is barely tapped and it will ultimately change everything. It’s already had tremendous impacts on cancer diagnosis and treatment which are defined more and more by genetic variants than by tissue of origin. What is most exciting to me is how it opens up opportunities for prevention and tailoring prevention strategies to risk level. It is also incredibly challenging to figure out how to bring the concepts into real world care – it’s so much more complex than a regular laboratory study. We need a new framework for how to do this and I’m very excited about helping to figure this out.