At Indiana University School of Medicine, the Genetics in Medicine scholarly concentration offers medical students a unique opportunity to delve into the rapidly evolving world of genetics and genomics. This concentration is designed to equip future physicians with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the genomic revolution transforming modern medicine.
Fast facts about the concentration
- Location: Indianapolis campus
- Co-directors: Brittney-Shea Herbert, PhD, and Brett Graham, MD, PhD
Meet the co-directors
The Genetics in Medicine scholarly concentration is co-directed by Brittney-Shea Herbert, PhD, and Brett Graham, MD, PhD.
Graham is a physician-scientist with a clinical background in pediatrics, medical genetics and biochemical genetics. He sees and manages patients of all ages with genetic disorders and inborn errors of metabolism. Graham is also the director of the Division of Clinical Genetics in the IU School of Medicine Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, and he leads a research lab that uses genetically modified mice and fruit flies to study mitochondrial biology and dysfunction in disease.
“I am excited about the Genetics in Medicine scholarly concentration because of the current revolution genomic information and technologies is having on the practice of medicine in general and the opportunities it provides to medical students to be prepared for the future with genomic medicine,” Graham said.
Herbert is a biomedical researcher whose work focuses on telomeres and telomerase in aging and cancer. She has spent most of her independent career involved in education and advising students at various levels to become future biomedical researchers or physician scientists.
“I am excited to support medical students interested in learning more about genetics and genomics in medicine,” said Herbert, who is currently the vice chair for education in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics.
What students can expect
Students in the Genetics in Medicine scholarly concentration will gain exposure to cutting-edge clinical and diagnostic technologies in medical genetics. They’ll also have the opportunity to participate in genetics research across clinical, translational and basic science. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how genetic information is used in medical practice.
Based at the Indianapolis campus, the concentration offers close proximity to a robust team of experts including medical geneticists, genetic counselors, nurse practitioners, metabolic dietitians and genetics nurse coordinators. Students also benefit from access to world-class diagnostic laboratories specializing in genomic, cytogenetic and biochemical testing.
Is this the right fit?
Medical genetics is a field that requires a broad knowledge of disease processes in all organ systems and in both pediatric and adult settings. In addition to solving clinical riddles, active medical management with emerging novel therapies — such as small molecule, gene therapy and drug repurposing — is becoming increasingly common and important. Students who are excited by these challenges and innovations may find this concentration particularly rewarding.
Graham and Herbert said, regardless of the medical field a student chooses, they will encounter patients whose care is influenced by genetic testing and genomic data. A foundational literacy in these areas is increasingly essential, ensuring future doctors and researchers are well-prepared to interpret and apply genetic information in their practice.
Examples of student research
Students in the Genetics in Medicine concentration have completed impactful scholarly projects, some of which have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Examples include:
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Pharmacogenomics: Gallaway KA, Skaar TC, Biju A, Slaven J, Tillman EM. “A pilot study of ADRA2A genotype association with doses of dexmedetomidine for sedation in pediatric patients.” Pharmacotherapy. 2022 Jun;42(6):453-459. doi: 10.1002/phar.2684. Epub 2022 Apr 20. PMID: 35429176; PMCID: PMC9325491.
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Genetics/genomics in hearing disorders: Chen YS, Cabrera E, Tucker BJ, Shin TJ, Moawad JV, Totten DJ, Booth KT, Nelson RF. “TMPRSS3 expression is limited in spiral ganglion neurons: implication for successful cochlear implantation.” J Med Genet. 2022 Dec;59(12):1219-1226. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108654. Epub 2022 Aug 12. PMID: 35961784; PMCID: PMC10245338.
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Molecular genetics in hematology/oncology: Hadley A, Ramdas B, Fang F, Nephew K, Kotzin JJ, Williams A, Henao-Mejia J, Haneline L, Kapur R. “Hyperglycemia cooperates with Tet2 heterozygosity to induce leukemia driven by proinflammatory cytokine-induced lncRNA Morrbid.” J Clin Invest. 2021 Jan 4;131(1):e140707. doi: 10.1172/JCI140707. PMID: 33090974; PMCID: PMC7773407.
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Rare disease genetics/genomics:
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Buchh M, Gillespie PJ, Treat K, Abreu MA, Schwantes-An TL, Helm BM, Fang F, Xuei X, Mantcheva L, Suhrie KR, Graham BH, Conboy E, Vetrini F. “Characterization of a novel deep-intronic variant in DYNC2H1 identified by whole-exome sequencing in a patient with a lethal form of a short-rib thoracic dysplasia type III.” Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud. 2022 Dec 28;8(7):a006254. doi: 10.1101/mcs.a006254. PMID: 36442996; PMCID: PMC9808550.
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Bruns R, Liaqat K, Nasir A, Treat K, Murthy VS, Mantcheva L, Torres W, Conboy E, Vetrini F. “Undiagnosed rare disease clinic identifies a novel UBE3A variant in two sisters with Angelman syndrome: The end of a diagnostic odyssey.” Congenit Anom (Kyoto). 2024 May;64(3):155-160. doi: 10.1111/cga.12566. Epub 2024 Mar 23. PMID: 38520260.
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Liaqat K, Felipe K, Treat K, McPheron M, Weaver DD, Vetrini F, Conboy E. “Uncovering a Diagnosis Through Reanalysis of UBA2 Variants in a Patient with Syndactyly, Polydactyly, and Aplasia Cutis Congenita: A Short Report and a Review of the Literature.” Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. 2025 Apr;29(4):120-128. doi: 10.1089/gtmb.2025.0042. PMID: 40249340.
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Gregory MR, Liaqat K, Treat K, Haider KM, Vetrini F, Conboy E. “Pathogenic Deep Intronic Variant in CNGB3 Identified From Whole-Genome Sequencing in an Unsolved Case of Patient Affected With Achromatopsia.” Case Rep Genet. 2025 May 27;2025:3466358. doi: 10.1155/crig/3466358. PMID: 40463445; PMCID: PMC12133362.
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These projects showcase the breadth of research opportunities available and the real-world impact students can make through their scholarly work.
