PGRN Election Candidates
The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the slate of nominees to serve on the PGRN Council. The selection process involved nominations by one or more members of the PGRN, followed by discussion and selection by the committee. The final slate of nominees have outstanding qualifications and experience for a leadership role. PGRN strives to provide an inclusive organization that is committed to diverse and equitable practices.
Electronic ballots go out to all PGRN members in mid-August. If you are an active PGRN member and have not received a ballot by August 21st, 2026, please contact info@pgrn.org for help.
President-Elect
Larisa Cavallari, PharmD, FCCP, FAHA
I am grateful to be considered as a nominee for the position of PGRN President. I have been involved with the PGRN for over a decade, initially as an affiliate member. I have a history of collaboration with PGRN members, most recently as inaugural leader of the Implementation Working Group. I have dedicated my research career to the discovery and translation of genomic variation influencing drug response, thus aligning directly with the PGRN mission. I have a particular interest in pharmacogenomic research in underserved populations and a passion for translating pharmacogenomic discoveries into clinical care. As Director of the University of Florida Health Precision Medicine Program, I have significant experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to clinically implement pharmacogenetic testing to guide multiple therapies. I have also participated in multi-site investigations of outcomes with pharmacogenomic testing, most recently as an investigator within the IGNITE Pragmatic Trials Network. I would be honored to led the PGRN in its future efforts to accelerate pharmacogenetic research and translation into clinical practice. I believe there is a unique opportunity through the PGRN to expand collaborative research opportunities, including investigation of outcomes with pharmacogenomic implementation on a global scale.
Jason Hansen Karnes, PharmD, PhD, BCPS, FAHA, FCCP
Professor at University of Arizona, USA
I am honored and humbled to be nominated for PGRN President Elect. I have been engaged in the PGRN since its inception, serving as PGRN Secretary for the past three years, as Chair for the PGRN Early Career Committee, and in leadership roles for pharmacogenomics communities in ASCPT and ACCP. Supported by funding from ACCP, AHA, and NIH, including multiple R01 awards, my research program focuses on the pharmacogenomics of adverse drug reactions and improving equity in genomic research. As an endowed Department Head at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, I have developed a collaborative leadership style grounded in transparent communication, consensus building, and evidence-based decision making. My goal is to bring people together around shared priorities while fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives strengthen our collective impact. I have watched with great enthusiasm as pharmacogenomic implementation becomes more widespread, facilitated largely by our PGRN community. PGRN is strengthened by embracing members focused both on research and implementation, each critical for advancement of our field. If elected, I will work to unite members across pharmacogenomic discovery and implementation, support PGRN's continued growth, and strengthen partnerships with ClinPGx and ESPT to advance our shared mission. Secretary Chad Bousman, MPH, PhD 
I am a Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary, where I lead the Psychiatric Pharmacogenomics Laboratory. My research focuses on the discovery, development, and implementation of pharmacogenomic tools to improve clinical decision-making and mental health outcomes across the lifespan. I have secured more than $27 million in research funding from organizations in Canada, the United States, and Australia, and have authored 224 peer-reviewed publications with collaborators from over 20 countries. I am an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and recipient of the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology Innovation in Neuropsychopharmacology Award. If elected Secretary, I will build on my previous service to PGRN as Chair of the Scientific Program Committee and a member of the Early Career Committee. As a member of the Board, I will champion interdisciplinary collaboration, implementation science to accelerate clinical adoption, policy engagement to address regulatory and reimbursement barriers, and mentorship to develop the next generation of pharmacogenomics leaders. I am committed to helping PGRN strengthen its scientific impact, expand its global reach, and translate pharmacogenomics discoveries into improved patient care. Phil Empey, PharmD, PhD, FCCP
I am a founding member of PGRN and have served as chair of the Education Committee. I also currently co-chair the Epic Pharmacogenomics Brain Trust and have led PGx initiatives within the All of Us Research Program. This work has given me experience organizing multi-stakeholder meetings, documenting outcomes clearly, and ensuring information reaches the right people. As Secretary, I would bring this experience to Board meetings to help the network maintain a well-organized archive of records in close coordination with the PGRN Office. My goal is to preserve the PGRN's institutional knowledge and keep it easy to reference as the network grows. I am passionate about the work of the PGRN and am committed detail-oriented service that advances its collaborative mission. |
I am an Associate Professor of Pharmacy & Therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh, where I direct the Center for Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences and serve as Associate Director of the Pitt/UPMC Institute for Precision Medicine. There, I lead the PreCISE-Rx and Test2Learn teams, which implement pharmacogenomics clinical, research, and educational initiatives. As a clinician-scientist, I conduct NIH-funded clinical and translational research aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind variability in drug response, with the goal of improving medication-related outcomes.COUNCILOR (3-YEAR TERM)
Josiah Allen ,PharmD
Precision Medicine Pharmacist at St Elizabeth Healthcare, USA
For nearly two decades, my career has been dedicated to advancing pharmacogenomics across research, industry, education, and clinical practice. From my early research work at Mayo Clinic to leadership roles at Assurex Health and OneOme, and in my current role leading implementation efforts at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, I have focused on translating pharmacogenomic discoveries into sustainable clinical integration. Throughout this journey, I have conducted research, built programs, educated clinicians, and worked to advance the field through advocacy, collaboration, and professional service. As a PGY2 Clinical Pharmacogenomics pharmacy residency program director and leader of efforts to establish a Board of Pharmacy Specialties certification in pharmacogenomics, I have also been committed to developing the workforce needed to sustain the field's growth.
As a Council member, I would seek to strengthen the connections among research, implementation, education, and clinical practice. I believe PGRN's research foundation is its greatest strength, and I see opportunities to further amplify its impact by fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, educators, and other stakeholders. My goal is to help ensure that PGRN continues to lead the field while improving patient access to pharmacogenomic discoveries, leading to meaningful improvements in healthcare and patient outcomes.
Michelle Whirl-Carrillo, PhD
Principal Investigator at Standford University, USA
I have dedicated my career to advancing pharmacogenomics research and implementation. I began as a research scientist working for one of the original NIH-funded Pharmacogenetics Research Network projects, well before PGx was widely considered ready for clinical implementation. As PGRN evolved into a membership organization, I remained active as a founding member, the first co-chair of the Publications Committee, Scientific and Education Committees member, and RIPS presenter. Throughout my career, I have led and contributed to numerous PGx projects and consortia, all focused on advancing and translating PGx knowledge into personalized patient care. It has been both inspiring and rewarding to witness the remarkable progress the field has made and to contribute to that advancement.
I am committed to supporting PGRN as it continues to lead the PGx community by creating networking and mentorship opportunities for its members, providing a platform for trainees and early career professionals to present their research, and facilitating the exchange of ideas ranging from expanding beyond traditional gene–drug pairs to accelerating the integration of PGx into mainstream clinical care. I envision PGRN continuing to grow, diversify, and serve as the driving force for the next generation of PGx research and implementation.
Mohamed Nagy, Pharm, RPh, MS, PhD Researcher
Pharmacy Director at Children's Cancer Hospital, Egypt
Driven by a shared passion for advancing global precision medicine, I am honored to submit my candidacy for PGRN Councilor. Having actively participated in our network’s evolution from the Developing Countries Committee to the Global Committee during the last six years, I have been privileged to work alongside many of you to champion clinical implementation across diverse, resource-limited settings worldwide.
Professionally, I serve as the Founder and Director of the Personalized Medication Management Unit and Clinical Pharmacogenomics Program at the Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357. This hands-on experience in pioneering clinical PGx in an emerging healthcare system grounds my commitment to translating complex genomic research into everyday, global bedside practice.
My commitment is to champion supportive, inclusive growth across our network. I look forward to working collaboratively to scale our clinical implementation workshops, build accessible educational pathways, and ensure that scientific colleagues from underrepresented areas with developing clinical capabilities have an active, welcoming voice on the Board. Additionally, my role as a board member of the African Pharmacogenomics Network offers great opportunity to build collaborative links between our organizations.
My goal is to serve as a practical, collaborative bridge for our global membership, and I would be honored to earn your vote.
Yuan Ji, PhD, MBA
Medical Director at ARUP Laboratories and Professor at University of Utah, USA
I am board certified in both Clinical Pharmacology (ABCP) and Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) and serve as Medical Director at ARUP Laboratories and Professor at the University of Utah.
With a strong foundation in pharmacogenomics rooted in more than a decade of research training with Dr. Richard Weinshilboum at Mayo Clinic, one of the original NIH Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN) centers, I have developed a unique and comprehensive background spanning more than two decades across discovery research, clinical implementation, and professional leadership.
Through active involvement in pharmacogenomics research, education, clinical translation, and guideline development, I have dedicated much of my career to advancing pharmacogenomics as a cornerstone of precision and laboratory medicine, with collaborations across CPIC, ASCPT, AMP, ACMG, CAP, CLSI, and other professional organizations.
As a PGRN Councilor, I would bring a perspective that integrates discovery research, clinical laboratory practice, and implementation science. My goal is to strengthen connections among investigators, clinicians, laboratories, trainees, and implementation programs within PGRN and across the broader pharmacogenomics community worldwide. I am particularly interested in advancing equitable access to pharmacogenomic testing, promoting the responsible integration of AI and data-driven approaches, and supporting the next generation of PGRN members. Through strategic planning and active engagement, I hope to help PGRN expand its impact, strengthen its leadership role, and accelerate the translation of pharmacogenomics discoveries into improved patient care and education.
TRAINEE COUNCILOR (1-YEAR TERM)
Abdulgafar Abdulrasheed Miva BSc Student at Open University, Nigeria
Thank you for the privilege. Daphne Mann, PharmD
During pharmacy school, I completed a research project assessing prescribers' perceived value of pharmacogenetic testing at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. This work inspired me to further pursue the field during my PGY1 residency at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky. There, I sought out a pharmacogenomics elective and conducted research evaluating the impact of CYP2D6 on opioid efficacy and tolerability. These opportunities ultimately motivated me to early commit to the PGY2 Clinical Pharmacogenomics Residency Program. I value leadership and am excited about the opportunity to become actively involved in PGRN. If elected, I would utilize my pharmacy network to inspire and educate prospective/new pharmacists about pharmacogenomics, ensuring longevity and innovation for the profession. Thank you for your time and consideration. Miracle Nmesomachi Enwere
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia (UVA), where I develop assays and automated devices to detect pharmacogenetically relevant polymorphisms. My academic background includes a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and three M.Sc. degrees in Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, and Chemistry. I believe my greatest strength is building communities that help others succeed. Throughout my leadership roles, including President of the Graduate and Professional Students of Africa (GAPSA), Graduate Student Representative to the UVA Provost’s Graduate Policy Advisory Committee, and Student Council representative, I have focused on creating lasting impact rather than short-term programs. By securing a university grant, I helped establish a more inclusive campus pantry with culturally diverse food options, an initiative designed to continue benefiting students long after my term ended. Mentoring students, connecting people across disciplines, and creating opportunities for others have become defining aspects of my leadership. As a PGRN Trainee Councilor, I will bring this same service-centered approach by strengthening mentor-trainee engagement, fostering collaborations across laboratories and institutions, and creating meaningful opportunities for trainees to learn from one another. I believe scientific excellence grows in supportive communities, and I am committed to helping every trainee feel connected, represented, and empowered to succeed. Syeda Rehma Hashimi, PhD
I am honored to submit my self-nomination for the position of PGRN Trainee Councilor for the term January 2027 - December 2027 I am a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Akinyemi Oni-Orisan’s laboratory at the UCSF School of Pharmacy and recently completed my Ph.D. in Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science at Virginia Commonwealth University under the mentorship of Dr. Elvin T. Price. My research integrates pharmacogenomics, pharmacoepidemiology, and real-world data to advance medication safety for community-dwelling older adults. Receiving the 2024 PGRN Travel Award and presenting my research at the annual meeting underscored the significance of collaboration, mentorship, and scientific exchange within the PGRN community. As Trainee Councilor, I aim to enhance trainee engagement beyond the annual meeting by promoting trainee-led scientific exchanges, encouraging participation in Research in Progress Seminars (RIPS) and PGRN committees, and facilitating cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary collaborations. I believe that multidisciplinary partnerships are critical for advancing pharmacogenomics and translating research discoveries into clinical practice. My goal is to create additional opportunities for trainees to present their research, connect with mentors and collaborators, and actively contribute to PGRN’s scientific community throughout the year. It would be an honor to represent trainee perspectives on the PGRN Board and to help ensure that trainee voices continue to shape the future of PGRN. Subham Sarkar, MD
Working across AIIMS Bhubaneswar, AIIMS Jodhpur, and now AIIMS Kalyani, India has exposed me to both the opportunities and the challenges of implementing pharmacogenomics in routine clinical care. Limited awareness, fragmented institutional efforts, lack of implementation frameworks, and insufficient opportunities for trainees to connect with mentors and collaborators remain significant barriers. These are challenges I encounter from the clinical side every day. As Trainee Councilor, I hope to strengthen engagement among trainees by fostering collaborations across clinical medicine, pharmacogenomics, computational biology, and data science. I would like to support trainee-led educational activities, institutional outreach, and international networking while ensuring that voices from low- and middle-income countries are better represented within PGRN. PGRN has played an important role in my professional growth, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping build a more connected, inclusive, and implementation-focused trainee community. |
I am pleased to self-nominate for the position of PGRN Trainee Councilor. As an early-career public health researcher with active involvement in collaborative research and scientific communication, I am passionate about fostering an inclusive and engaged trainee community. I am committed to representing trainee perspectives, facilitating collaboration and mentorship, and supporting initiatives that strengthen learning, professional growth, and innovation within PGRN. My goal is to help create opportunities that empower trainees to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of pharmacogenomics research. 
Hello! My name is Daphne Mann, and I am the current Clinical
Pharmacogenomics PGY2 resident at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. My passion for
pharmacogenomics began in high school when I was first introduced to the field
through my sister, who underwent pharmacogenetic testing to help guide
psychotropic medication selection. Since then, I have continued to expand my
knowledge of pharmacogenomics through my pharmacy education at the University
of Missouri–Kansas City.
I am an MD Clinical Pharmacologist and currently a Senior Resident at AIIMS Kalyani, India. Over the past two years as an Early Career Trainee member of PGRN, I have actively engaged with the community, recently volunteered to support the PGRN India Affiliate initiative, and will be presenting my accepted research at the PGRN 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting.