Innovation
Research in the Department spans a broad spectrum of cutting-edge genetics, encompassing global genomics, evolution of complex traits, single-cell multiomics, precision gene editing, and mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, among others.
Passion
Our faculty, trainees, and staff are united by an enduring curiosity about the fundamental principles of life and a relentless drive to uncover the genetic underpinnings of health and disease.
Collaboration
Scientific discovery in the Department is deeply collaborative by design. Faculty partner across disciplines with leading experts in medicine, computational biology, engineering, and public health to tackle the most complex questions in genetics.
Impact
Our labs combine advanced technologies with biological insights to accelerate the translation of genetic knowledge in precision medicine, enhance genomic diagnostics, and train future leaders in genomic science.
Message from the Chair: Daniel J. Rader, M.D.
Welcome to the Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania. Our 35 primary faculty members conduct cutting-edge research across a broad spectrum of genetics and genomics, including human genetics, evolutionary and population genetics, epigenetics, functional genomics, experimental model systems, RNA biology, and computational and statistical genomics. Our research ranges from fundamental biological discovery to genomic medicine and translational therapeutics. As the central hub for genetics and genomics research on campus, the Department maintains strong collaborations with clinical departments and numerous Centers and Institutes across PSOM and the University. We also provide administrative oversight for several core facilities that support research laboratories throughout the School of Medicine and affiliated institutions. Additionally, the Department plays a vital role in educating medical and graduate students, as well as training the next generation of genomic scientists.
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2026 Kaushal Family Award in Genetics
The Department of Genetics is pleased to recognize Fabián Ramos-Almodóvar and Bumsik Cho as the recipients of the 2026 Kaushal Family Awards in Genetics. These awards recognize excellence in genetics research, as demonstrated through publication, by a graduate student and a postdoctoral fellow.
2026 Kaushal Multidisciplinary Award
The Department of Genetics is pleased to recognize Zachary Rosenthal, MD, PhD, as the recipient of the 2026 Kaushal Multidisciplinary Award, which honors excellence in biomedical research that integrates two or more scientific disciplines in a publication by a postdoctoral fellow.