Pacific Center for Genome Research hosts the first Diversity Centers for Genome Research Consortium in-person meeting in Hawaiʻi
July 18, 2024
The Pacific Center for Genome Research (PCGR) at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) hosted the inaugural in-person meeting of the Diversity Centers for Genome Research (DCGR) Consortium in April of this year. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) established this initiative to promote diversity in genomics research. The event brought together researchers and leaders from five external Genome Centers and the Program Director of NHGRI. It marked a crucial step in the collective journey towards a more diverse and inclusive genomics research landscape.
The DCGR program, a collaborative initiative, aims to establish centers that focus on cutting-edge genomic research across diverse populations and support the growth of genomic researchers at all levels. By leveraging genomic research to address health inequalities and championing diversity in the field, the program is helping to pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future for all.
PCGR is one of the three Diversity Centers for Genome Research supported by the NIH DCGR program for the first cohort in the fall of 2023. Led by Dr. Lang Wu of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and Dr. Youping Deng of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the PCGR is crucial in enhancing genomic research capabilities in underrepresented communities, particularly among the Native Hawaiian population. Despite facing disparities across many human diseases compared with other populations, this population can now look forward to a brighter future thanks to genomics research.
Dr. Wu, PCGR Director, who was attracted to UH because of Hawaiʻi’s unique population diversity, which provides excellent opportunities for his genetic epidemiologic research in understudied populations, said: "Due to our unique geographic location and the diversity of communities we serve, our PCGR aims to substantially enhance the capabilities of conducting innovative genomic research in our underrepresented communities, especially the Native Hawaiian population. We also aim to expand the pool of diverse genomic scientists and trainees by providing didactic, practicum, and research activities and experiences and strengthening community engagement efforts for genome research".
The DCGR Consortium has already developed five Working Groups/Committees to facilitate achieving its goals. These include the Research Collaborative Working Group, Workforce Development Working Group, Community Engagement Working Group, Evaluation Working Group, and Publication Committee. Every month, the five Working Groups/Committees and the entire DCGR Consortium set up separate online meetings to discuss collaboration opportunities among the DCGR Consortium Centers and between the DCGR Consortium and other programs of NHGRI. At the inaugural DCGR Consortium in-person meeting in Hawaiʻi, researchers and leaders of the different Genome Centers shared the current status of relevant Centers, the progress made towards the planned milestones, along with challenges met and potential solutions to tackle the challenges. The Consortium members also discuss the future plan and agenda for the Working Groups/Committees along with the Consortium as a whole to maximize productivity. During the meeting, external Center investigators toured facilities of the various components of the PCGR.
The DCGR Consortium is eagerly looking to fund up to three more Diversity Centers for Genome Research soon. The goal is to ensure diversity and inclusivity in genomics research and represent multiple understudied communities. This expansion will further strengthen the consortium’s position as a leader in the field of genomics research.
