NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The National Human Genome Research Institute said today that it has completed a "major reorganization" that will split its Extramural Research program into four new research components that reflect changing priorities at the institute.
Under the new structure, which was unveiled earlier this year and is scheduled to take effect at the beginning of next month, NHGRI's extramural program will be divided into four new components that will be responsible for pursuing the institute's mission of advancing genomic science and medicine together.
The Division of Genome Sciences will oversee basic genomics research and technology development and major activities such as large-scale genome sequencing. It will be led by Director Jeffrey Schloss and Deputy Director Peter Good.
The Division of Genomic Medicine will focus on applying genomics to medical research and clinical care, and it will include the Office of Population Genomics. It will be headed by Director Teri Manolio and Deputy Director Bradley Ozenberger.
The Division of Genomics and Society will manage a program to study the societal issues related to genomics research, and it will incorporate the current Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications research program. Mark Guyer, who is deputy director of NHGRI, will serve as acting director of the Division of Genomics and Society until a permanent director is named to the job.
The Division of Extramural Operations will oversee grants management, scientific reviews, and other operations components of NHGRI's extramural program. It will be run by Director Bettie Graham and Deputy Director Rudy Pozzatti.
NHGRI Director Eric Green said in a statement that the restructuring at the institute "reflects the expanding scope of genomics research," and exemplifies the mission focused on genomic medicine that Green and Guyer laid out over a year ago in a strategic plan.
"The mission of the institute has dramatically evolved from the singular focus on the Human Genome Project, for which NHGRI was created, to pursuing an exciting and broad set of opportunities for using genomics to advance medical science and improve human health. NHGRI needs an organizational structure concordant with this expanded mission," Green said today.
The restructuring also will involve some other changes at NHGRI, including some personnel movement and the creation of two administrative divisions.
The Office of Policy, Communications and Education will become the Division of Policy, Communications and Education. The division will be led by Laura Rodriguez and will manage a range of activities including policy development, legislative affairs, media relations, and educational outreach efforts to the public, students, and healthcare professionals.
The Office of Administrative Management, which oversees financial, information technology, and administrative services management will be renamed the Division of Management, and will be headed by Executive Officer Janis Mullaney and Deputy Executive Officer Ellen Rolfes.
In addition, Jane Peterson will serve as a senior advisor to the NHGRI Office of the Director, Vence Bonham will be a senior advisor to Director Green on genomics and health disparities, and Karen Rothenberg will be a senior advisor to the NHGRI Director on genomics and society.