# Genomic Medicine Master's Degree Program for Medical Students

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · $485,847

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Advances in human genomics are transforming the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. However,
there are too few clinical geneticists and genetic counselors to meet rising demand, and non-geneticist
clinicians feel under-prepared to incorporate genetics into medical practice. To further explore this gap, we
conducted a needs assessment study with UCSF clinicians to identify unmet educational needs. Our results
indicate that providers (including clinical faculty, staff and trainees) need more training in order to confidently
use genetics and genomics in their practice, particularly in the types and utility of genetic tests, interpretation
and communication of results, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, ethical issues and informed consent. These
results reinforce the need to produce more genomically-literate physicians. To help meet this need, we plan to
develop a one-year Master of Science (MS) program in Genomic Medicine for UCSF medical students. A survey
of our medical students in all four years has identified substantial interest in such a program, foreshadowing
success in recruiting an exceptional cadre of budding physicians to this program. Enrolled students will
participate in the MS program after completing their clinical clerkships. Educational strategies will incorporate
innovative modalities that accentuate active learning, emphasize clinical applications of genetics and genomics,
and promote cognitive integration. Courses will be taught through a combination of synchronous and
asynchronous approaches. Course content will include foundational principles of human and molecular
genetics; genomic technologies, informatics and variant interpretation; specialty-specific content including
cancer genomics, reproductive genetics, neurogenetics, genetics of cardiovascular disease and psychiatric
disorders; genomics laboratory processes; clinical-translational research methods and interpretation of
literature; ethical, legal and social implications and policies; and a comprehensive exam assessing ability to
apply genomics to clinical practice. A team of faculty with extensive expertise in genetics and genomics will
collaborate to develop and teach the content. Courses will be evaluated by students, and feedback will guide
course and program continual improvement. Student competency will be assessed using a combination of
quizzes and exams with multiple-choice and open-ended questions and clinical simulations. Our commitment
to diversity and inclusion will be reflected in our student recruitment, including significant outreach to our
substantial number of URM medical students; our faculty and learning environment, including Lantinx and
African American faculty and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training for all faculty; and our curriculum
content. Our program will be disseminated through presentations at medical education meetings (including
APHMG, ACMG, IAMSE, WGEA, and AAMC), sharing course curricula wi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10768286
- **Project number:** 1R25HG012725-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine Hyland
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $485,847
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-18 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10768286

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10768286, Genomic Medicine Master's Degree Program for Medical Students (1R25HG012725-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10768286. Licensed CC0.

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