Sickle cell disease specialist named genetic medicine director at Johns Hopkins
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Ambroise Wonkam, MD, PhD, DMedSc, has been appointed director of the department of genetic medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Wonkam also will serve as director of McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.
Wonkam, a world-renowned geneticist who grew up in Cameroon, is recognized for his expertise in sickle cell disease.
“To make genetic medicine a global good for understanding the variability among us, we need to understand our genome to its fullest,” Wonkam said in a press release. “We have a duty to carry forward this work and make genetic medicine innovations sustainable and equitable for all populations.”
Wonkam previously served as professor of medical genetics, deputy dean of research and director of genetic medicine of African populations at University of Cape Town.
His research has explored the psychosocial aspects of sickle cell disease and genetic links to the condition’s symptoms.
He recently established the Sickle Africa Data Coordinating Centre to investigate how epidemiologic, clinical and genetic information from African populations with sickle cell disease may correlate with treatment outcomes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Wonkam among the leaders of our medical school’s departments,” Paul B. Rothman, MD, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, said in a press release. “He brings to Hopkins a diverse and expansive set of research and clinical experiences that will be a foundation for continuing our institution’s leadership and innovation in the field of genetic medicine.”
Wonkam succeeds David Valle, MD, who will remain on the Johns Hopkins faculty and continue his clinical and research duties.
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