The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Elects New Board Members and President-Elect

Announced at the 2025 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Los Angeles, CA

, /PRNewswire/ -- The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) welcomed six new directors, including a new president-elect, to its Board of Directors at the 2025 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Los Angeles, California. The new Board members will serve as advocates for the organization and will assist in shaping and implementing the mission, vision and direction of the College. The six newly elected directors will serve six-year terms from March 2025 to March 2031.

"Our six newly elected and enthusiastic board members will have large shoes to fill as Marc Williams, Heidi Rehm, Karen Gripp, Dieter Matern, Michael Murray and Cynthia Powell complete their six years on the ACMG Board of Directors. It has been a pleasure working with these geneticists 'retiring' from the board and it has been a very productive six years! Thank you to all who participated in the election process. Our new board members have served the College in various roles and they each represent different areas of our specialty. Board members serve as officers of the College, liaisons to our committees, representatives of our profession for many national organizations and much more. 2025 is an historic milestone for the College – we welcome our first PhD president-elect and, for the first time, the president, past president and the president elect are all female! We look forward to working with ACMG members to advance our new strategic plan as well as expand our evidence-based guidelines program," said Susan Klugman, MD, FACMG, FACOG, President of the ACMG.

Christa L. Martin PhD, FACMG: President-Elect

President-Elect Christa L. Martin PhD, FACMG is currently the Chief Scientific Officer at Geisinger and Vice Dean for Research at Geisinger's School of Medicine. Dr. Martin's focus throughout her career has been on integrating genomics into routine healthcare, particularly in the areas of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and population health genomic screening. She brings more than two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, research and education.

Dr. Martin earned her PhD in human genetics from the University of Pittsburgh and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago, where she became board-certified in clinical cytogenetics.

At Geisinger, she has pioneered initiatives like the MyCode Community Health Initiative, one of the world's largest genomic sequencing projects. She was also the founding Director of Geisinger's Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, implementing a genetics-first approach to care for children with developmental conditions.

Dr. Martin is author of more than 170 peer-reviewed publications and her work has been instrumental in advancing genetic diagnoses for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders such as autism, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia – conditions that share genetic etiologies across pediatric and adult mental health. Recently, she has led efforts in population health genomic screening to incorporate clinically actionable genomic results into patient care.

With more than 25 years of continuous NIH funding, Dr. Martin's research has also shaped professional guidelines and consensus statements in genetic testing. She has co-chaired the ACMG Secondary Findings Working Group and contributed to numerous ACMG educational and policy initiatives.

On becoming ACMG president-elect, Dr. Martin said, "It is a true honor to be elected as the next president-elect for ACMG and to serve as the first PhD in this role. My career path has always spanned both clinical and research realms, focusing on translational approaches that have created intersections among human genetics, diagnostic medicine and patient care. I have extensively interacted with laboratory professionals, medical geneticists, genetic counselors, governmental and industry partners, payors and patient groups, all of whom will crucially contribute to the College's future success. As we navigate an ever-changing healthcare landscape and a critical juncture in the history of our field, I am excited to help lead ACMG to thrive as the leading voice for medical genomics."

Josh Deignan, PhD, FACMG: Molecular Genetics Director

Josh Deignan, PhD, FACMG is board-certified in clinical genetics. He has been at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California (UCLA) as a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Dr. Deignan graduated from the University of California, Davis with a degree in genetics. He received his PhD in pathology and completed his ABMGG Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics medical genetics fellowship training at UCLA.

Dr. Deignan has served as a member and chair of the ACMG Molecular Genetics subcommittee of the Laboratory Quality Assurance Committee for five years, the last two as Chair. He has also been serving on the CAP/ACMG Biochemical and Molecular Genetics Committee for the past six years. Dr. Deignan has previously served on the Program Committee and the Clinical Practice Committee for the Association for Molecular Pathology. He was also a member of the original ACGME Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Milestones Work Group.

Dr. Deignan is a primary or co-author of more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and reviews. His peer-reviewed publications include nine ACMG clinical laboratory statements or standards (including the first clinical laboratory standard for next-generation sequencing), and he was the primary author for five of them. He has also previously published recommendations for the training of medical laboratory scientists as well as Laboratory Genetics and Genomics fellows.

"I am honored to have been elected to the ACMG Board of Directors, and I look forward to representing the laboratory genetics community as the College implements its new strategic plan," said Dr. Deignan.                                          

Lauren J. Massingham, MD, FACMG: Clinical Genetics Director

Lauren J. Massingham, MD, FACMG is a board-certified medical geneticist with 12 years of clinical experience, specializing in the care of pediatric and adult patients with diverse genetic conditions. She directs clinics for hereditary cancer and cardiovascular genetic conditions, offering comprehensive expertise across a range of clinical genetics fields. She is currently at Hasbro Children's Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, where she directs the Cancer Genetics program. Beyond her clinical and educator roles, she has conducted laboratory research and participated in multiple clinical studies to further the understanding of genetic conditions.

As an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, she serves as Course Director for the genetics segment of the Scientific Foundations in Medicine program. Her innovative contributions to curriculum development have advanced genetics education for undergraduates and non-geneticist professionals alike.

Dr. Massingham graduated with a BA in chemistry from Skidmore College. She then earned her MD from the University of Vermont Medical School. Afterwards, she completed a pediatrics residency at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and then went on to complete a genetics residency at Tufts Medical Center.

She has held leadership roles at ACMG and the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics (APHMG). She is vice chair of the ACMG Professional Practice and Guidelines Committee and has contributed extensively to ACMG workgroups, shaping key guidelines and policies. Within APHMG, she has served on the Executive Committee, as chair of the Course Directors Special Interest Group, and as a Council member.

Dr. Massingham has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications. Highlights include her work on the "Pediatric Exomes and Genomes Evidence-Based Guideline" and updates to the APHMG's "Core Competencies for Undergraduate Medical Education in Genetics and Genomics."

Dr. Massingham said, "I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve on the ACMG board. It will be an excellent way to serve the genetics community as a whole and learn more about the options and mechanisms to promote evidence-based and thoughtful advances in the field of genetics."

David T. Miller, MD, PhD, FACMG: Clinical Genetics Director

Dr. Miller is a board-certified clinical geneticist at Boston Children's Hospital, where he directs the Neurofibromatosis Research Initiative (NFRI), a translational research program focusing on cell-free DNA testing for NF1-related tumor surveillance. He is also an associate molecular pathologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. At Harvard Medical School, Dr. Miller serves as an associate professor of Pediatrics and co-director of the Advanced Integrated Science Course in Human Genetics. His clinical and research focus includes neurodevelopmental disorders, germline cancer predisposition syndromes, and optimizing the utility of genetic testing in clinical care.

Dr. Miller graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BS. in biology and a BA in chemistry. He received his MD and PhD in biology and biomedical sciences/neurobiology from Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Miller completed a pediatrics residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a clinical genetics/clinical molecular genetics fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Miller has held numerous leadership roles with ACMG including 11 years as co-chair of ACMG's Secondary Findings Maintenance Working Group. Dr. Miller has also held positions on ACMG's Professional Practice and Guidelines and Topic Selection Committees. In addition, he served for three years on the first Systematic Evidence Review Working Group and Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. He is also Clinical Genetics Section Editor and deputy Editor-in-Chief for Genetics in Medicine, ACMG's official journal.

Dr. Miller is a primary and co-author of more than 90 peer-reviewed publications, ACMG documents, and reviews. His clinical and basic research covers a broad range of topics, including pediatric and prenatal genetics, chromosomal disorders, cancer predisposition syndromes including Neurofibromatosis, autism genetics, cardiovascular genetics, genetic testing by microarray and exome sequencing, and clinical utility of genetic testing. His research emphasizes translating genetic discoveries into clinical practice, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients and families.

"I am honored to serve on the ACMG Board of Directors," said Dr. Miller. "I look forward to working with an amazing team of ACMG leaders to advance the mission of the College and ensure impactful delivery of clinical genomic services."

Douglas R. Stewart, MD, FACMG: Clinical Genetics Director

Douglas R. Stewart, MD, FACMG is a board-certified medical geneticist and internist with more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of clinical genetics, cancer risk assessment and genomics research. A senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Adjunct Investigator at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Dr. Stewart focuses on the relationship between germline variants and cancer risk in both pediatric and adult populations.

At the NCI, he leads natural history studies on DICER1-related tumor predisposition and RASopathies, seeing patients at the NIH Clinical Center and advancing clinical guidance for monogenic tumor predisposition syndromes. His expertise extends to the genomic ascertainment of cancer genetics, supported by a multi-year NCI-funded collaboration with Geisinger. He also practices clinical genetics with Genome Medical.

Dr. Stewart graduated with a BA in chemistry with honors from Vassar College and conducted natural products chemistry research at the University of Auckland on a Fulbright grant. He received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, completed his residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and trained in clinical genetics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Stewart has served on numerous ACMG committees, including as chair of the Professional Practice and Guidelines (PP&G) Committee, where he expanded the Committee's capacity, integrated evidence-based methodologies into document development, and fostered opportunities for junior members. Since 2018, he has contributed to the ACMG Secondary Findings Maintenance Workgroup and serves as section editor for Genetics in Medicine, ACMG's official flagship journal.

A founding member and co-chair of the ClinGen DICER1 Variant Curation Expert Panel and co-chair of the ClinGen Hereditary Cancer Clinical Domain Working Group, Dr. Stewart has driven progress in the evaluation of germline variants in cancer genetics. He is also a peer-reviewer and contributor to numerous committees across NCI and NHGRI. Dr. Stewart has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and reviews. He is recognized for his contributions to genomic medicine, including the application of genome-first approaches to clinical practice.

"It is an honor to be elected to the ACMG Board of Directors by my professional peers. I look forward to serving them and representing their interests during my term. In addition, I look forward to working with ACMG to unlock the potential of clinical genetics to improve the health of all people," said Dr. Stewart.

William R. Wilcox, MD, PhD, FACMG: Clinical Biochemical Genetics Director

William R. Wilcox, MD, PhD, FACMG is a board-certified clinical geneticist and biochemical geneticist with more than 30 years of experience in clinical genetics, biochemical genetics and molecular biology. He is the medical director of the Emory Genetic Clinical Trials Center and the founder of the Medical Biochemical Genetics Training Program at Emory. Prior to his tenure at Emory, he served as Professor of Pediatrics in Residence at UCLA School of Medicine, where he established the biochemical genetics service and launched a combined Pediatrics-Medical Genetics Training Program based at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Wilcox earned his BS in biochemistry and mathematics, followed by a PhD in molecular biology and then an MD from UCLA. He completed his pediatrics residency and a fellowship in clinical genetics, clinical biochemical genetics and clinical molecular genetics through the UCLA Intercampus Medical Genetics Training Program. For more than three decades, he has mentored clinical genetics residents, medical biochemical genetics fellows and genetic counseling students, shaping the next generation of geneticists. He is the author or co-author of more than 160 peer-reviewed publications, focusing on the treatment of genetic metabolic and skeletal disorders, the advancement of newborn screening and the definition and pathogenesis of skeletal disorders. He has led numerous clinical trials, conducted longitudinal registry-based studies and played a key role in developing practice guidelines for genetic conditions.

Dr. Wilcox was the founding chair of the ACMG Therapeutics Committee, served four years on the ACMG Professional Practice and Guidelines Committee and spent five years on the ACMG Newborn Screening Translational Research Network Steering Committee. In addition, he has served on state-level advisory committees for newborn screening in Georgia and California.

"I look forward to representing biochemical geneticists and improving the value of the ACMG for the membership," said Dr. Wilcox.

ACMG also thanks the following Board members who are completing their terms of service: Karen W. Gripp, MD, FACMG; Dietrich Matern, MD, PhD, FACMG; Michael F. Murray, MD, FACMG; Cynthia M. Powell, MD, FACMG; Heidi L. Rehm, PhD, FACMG; and Marc S. Williams, MD, FACMG.

A complete list of the ACMG Board of Directors is available at www.acmg.net.

About the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics

Founded in 1991, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) is a prominent authority in the field of medical genetics and genomics and the only nationally recognized medical professional organization solely dedicated to improving health through the practice of medical genetics and genomics. The only medical specialty society in the US that represents the full spectrum of medical genetics disciplines in a single organization, the ACMG provides education, resources and a voice for more than 2,600 clinical and laboratory geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals. ACMG's mission is to improve health through the clinical and laboratory practice of medical genetics as well as through advocacy, education and clinical research, and to guide the safe and effective integration of genetics and genomics into all of medicine and healthcare, resulting in improved personal and public health. Genetics in Medicine and the new Genetics in Medicine Open, a gold open access journal, are the official ACMG journals. ACMG's website, www.acmg.net, offers resources including policy statements, practice guidelines, and educational programs.

Barry Eisenberg, MS
[email protected]

SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics