Genomes2Veterans (G2V) Research Program

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ABOUT US

At G2V, we envision a future where health care uses genomics to improve human health equitably.

We work towards this vision in the following ways:

  • We conduct biomedical research to determine the role of genetic and genomic technologies in improving the care and health outcomes of Veterans and other patients.
  • Our work in research, education, and engagement improves practice and policy and makes genomics more accessible for patients and practitioners.
  • We cultivate and maintain a reputation as experts in the field of genetic and genomic medicine implementation among stakeholders at local, national, and international levels.
  • We work towards promoting equity and patient and public trust in genetic research.
  • We train the next generation of genomic medicine researchers.

Based at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System but spanning the larger ecosystem of Harvard Medical School, Mass General Brigham, Ariadne Labs, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, our work bridges the expertise of Genomes2People and the mission of bringing 21st century medical care to Veterans.

THE G2V TEAM

Director: Jason Vassy, MD, MPH, MS

Jason Vassy, MD, MPH, MS, is an Associate ​​Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, a clinician-investigator at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a founding member of Precision Population Health at Ariadne Labs. He earned his MD degree from Washington University School of Medicine before completing an internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania and a Harvard General Internal Medicine Research Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a practicing primary care internist and researcher in the implementation and evaluation of genomic medicine interventions.

Ashley Antwi, MPH, CHES

Project Manager
Genomes2Veterans

Charles Brunette, PhD

Research Health Scientist
Genomes2Veterans

Morgan Danowski, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor
Genomes2Veterans

Jade Harris

Research Coordinator
Genomes2Veterans

Haley Leishman, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor
Genomes2Veterans

Julian Martin

Project Coordinator
Genomes2Veterans

Charlene Preys MS, GC

Genetic Counselor & Project Manager
617-264-5839

Preetika Kulkarni

Project Coordinator
Genomes2Veterans

Fabian Lako, MSc, LLM

Project Manager
Genomes2Veterans

Katharine MacIsaac, MPH

Project Manager
Genomes2Veterans

Jason Vassy, MD, MPH, MS

G2V Director
Genomes2Veterans

Thomas Yi, MS

Data Analyst
Genomes2Veterans

Current G2V Projects

The Prostate cancer, Genetic Risk, & Equitable Screening Study (ProGRESS)

Funding: VA Office of Research and Development (I01 CX002635)

Project Manager: Charles Brunette, PhD

ProGRESS is a national pragmatic randomized controlled trial of precision prostate cancer screening. 5,000 Veterans are enrolled into a trial of usual care with shared decision-making versus precision screening recommendations based on monogenic genetic variants, a polygenic risk score, and family history.

ProGRESS on ClinicalTrials.gov

 

The GenoVA Study: Pragmatic Randomized Trial of Polygenic Risk Scoring for Common Diseases in Primary Care

Funding: NIH, National Human Genome Research Institute (R35 HG010706)

Project Manager: Katherine MacIsaac, MPH

The GenoVA Study is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of polygenic risk scoring for 6 common diseases: coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Participants and their primary care providers receive their polygenic risk score results at baseline or after 24 months and are followed for the primary clinical outcome of time-to-diagnosis of any of the target diseases.

For more detailed information about the GenoVA Study, including study design and outcome measures, visit our clinical trial page:

GenoVA on ClinicalTrials.gov

 

ScreenShare Study: Building a shared decision making implementation strategy for the emerging paradigm of precision cancer screening

Funding: VA Office of Research and Development (I01 HX003627)

Project Manager: Ashley Antwi, MPH, CHES

The ScreenShare project uses survey, interview, and intervention mapping methods to proactively address the needs and barriers to implementing shared decision-making around precision prostate cancer screening in a healthcare system.

 

Pharmacogenomic Testing for Veterans (PHASER) Program

Funding: Department of Veterans Affairs

Project Manager: Ashley Antwi, MPH, CHES

VA Boston was one of the first VA sites across the country to participate in the PHASER program, a clinical implementation program and precision health initiative that provides preemptive pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing to VA patients.

To learn more about the PHASER program, visit our program page:

PHASER website

 

Million Veteran Program – Return of Actionable Results (MVP-ROAR) Study

Funding: VA Office of Research and Development (MVP030)

Project Manager: Morgan Danowski, MS, CGC

The Million Veteran Program – Return of Actionable Results (MVP-ROAR) Study is a randomized controlled trial of immediate vs. delayed (after 6 months) return of medically actionable, clinically confirmed genetic testing results. The purpose of the study is to develop a process to return results to living MVP participants nationwide and to determine the impact of doing so on medical management and outcomes and Veteran quality of life.

For more detailed information about the MVP-ROAR Study, including study design and outcome measures, visit our clinical trial page: 

MVP-ROAR on ClinicalTrials.gov

 

VA All of Us Research Program 

Funding: National Institutes of Health

Project Manager: Fabian Lako, MSc, LLM

VA is a participating organization in the All of Us Research Program, which is enrolling people across the U.S. to one of the most diverse health databases in history.

For more detailed information about the VA All of Us Research Program, please visit our program page:

VA All of Us Research Program

 

REFLECTION: Real World Evidence for Learnings in Cancer Detection Study

The REFLECTION Study is a research project studying a blood-based, multi-cancer early detection test called Galleri, which may help detect cancer before the onset of symptoms. Galleri may be used in tandem with standard-of-care cancer screening tools.

Completed G2V Projects

Integrating Pharmacogenetics in Clinical Care (I-PICC) Study 

Funding: VA Office of Research and Development (IK2-CX001262)

The I-PICC Study was a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of pharmacogenetic testing for statin myopathy risk in primary care. Statin-naïve patients at higher risk for cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned at the point-of-care to have their primary care providers receive their SLCO1B1 genotype results at baseline or at the end of the study. Patients were followed for 12 months for outcomes including cholesterol levels, statin-associated muscle symptoms, and concordance with cardiovascular disease and pharmacogenetic prescribing guidelines.

For more detailed information about the I-PICC Project, including study design and outcome measures, visit our clinical trial page:

I-PICC on ClinicalTrials.gov

Join us!

The G2V Research Trainee Program

Genomes2Veterans (G2V) is a translational genomics research program focused on the implementation of genomics innovations into the routine practice of medicine, including pharmacogenomic testing, polygenic risk scores, and the return of genetic results to research participants in a national biobank.

Opportunities exist for undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students, pharmacy students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent graduates to contribute to and expand high-profile clinical research studies and implementation projects that are re-shaping the way genomics is being integrated into clinical care at the VA.

Trainees work with Dr. Jason Vassy and the entire G2V Team to observe clinical research activities and implementation projects, as well as conduct independent projects that build skills and advance their career goals.

If you are interested in pursuing a research opportunity with us, please complete our G2V Trainee Interest Form.

For Genomes2Veterans scientific papers and media coverage, visit the link below.

G2V Publications

G2V News & Media