AGBT Announces 2026 Precision Health Next Gen Leadership Award Recipients

SAN DIEGO, September 15, 2026 — The Genome Partnership today announced the recipients of the 2026 AGBT Precision Health Next Gen Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding emerging scientists whose research is advancing the understanding of human disease and exploring new applications of genomics, multi-omics, data science, and artificial intelligence in precision medicine. Award recipients receive support for meeting registration, lodging, and travel to attend AGBT Precision Health and present their research, creating opportunities for scientific exchange, professional development, and connections across the genomics community.

The AGBT Precision Health Meeting focuses on genomic medicine, clinical diagnostics, precision therapeutics, translational research, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence in healthcare.

2026 AGBT Precision Health Next Gen Leadership Awardees

• Christa Caggiano: Postdoctoral fellow, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  Abstract title: Founder populations in biobanks as a precision medicine engine for monogenic disease discovery.
• Javan Carter: Bioinformatic scientist, RTI International
  Abstract title: Identifying novel gene dysregulation associated with opioid overdose death: A meta-analysis of differential gene expression in human prefrontal cortex.
• Han Chen: Graduate student, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
  Abstract title: Identifying regulatory effects of copy number alterations in neuroblastoma using interpretable deep learning.
• Julianna Dunbar: Postdoctoral scholar, University of Washington
  Abstract title: Somatic deletions in the brain preserve the reading frame of APOE in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Qualia Hooker: Graduate student, Van Andel Institute
  Abstract title: Integrated single-cell pharmacogenomics and metabolic profiling identify precision biomarkers of measurable residual disease in multiple myeloma.
• Emmanuel Kuufire: PhD student, Tuskegee University
  Abstract title: Machine learning-driven One Health risk stratification of antimicrobial resistance and virulence in zoonotic pathogens across United States poultry, cattle, and human isolates.
• Quang Huy Nguyen: PhD candidate, Auburn University
  Abstract title: PAG-Agent: A biologist-oriented virtual research assistant for context-aware pathway analysis, prioritization, and interpretation.
• Devansh Pandey: PhD candidate, The University of Texas at Austin
  Abstract title: Convergent common- and rare-variant genetics maps lipid pathways and candidate targets for coronary artery disease.
• Rashi Verma: Postdoctoral researcher, Morehouse School of Medicine
  Abstract title: Blood RNA signatures enable accurate discrimination of stroke subtype and onset time at hospital admission.
• Abdoulaye Yalcouyé: Postdoctoral fellow, Johns Hopkins University
  Abstract title: Novel variants and candidate gene discovery for hearing loss using whole exome sequencing in Malian populations.

“These awardees well represent the next generation of scientists working at the intersection of genomics, medicine and technology,” said Richard Wilson, AGBT Precision Health co-chair, chair of The Genome Partnership board and executive director of the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Their work reflects the tremendous potential of genomic science to improve human health. Bringing emerging scientists into the conversations happening at AGBT Precision Health is essential to moving the field forward.”

“The AGBT Precision Health Next Gen Leadership Award is a significant milestone in my development as a veterinarian-scientist and future leader in precision health,” said Emmanuel Kuufire, a PhD student at Tuskegee University. “This award gives me the opportunity to learn from leaders in genomics and precision medicine, build interdisciplinary collaborations, and gain new perspectives that strengthen my research and growth as a scientist working to improve global health through genomics and artificial intelligence.”

The AGBT Precision Health Meeting convenes clinicians, researchers, and technology innovators to exchange ideas, build cross-disciplinary collaborations, and accelerate the translation of genomic advances into clinical impact. Through its scientific program and curated networking events, AGBT Precision Health creates a unique environment for meaningful conversations across disciplines that can help move precision medicine from possibility to practice.

For additional information about the Next Gen Leadership Awards and AGBT Precision Health, visit www.agbtprecisionhealth.org.

About AGBT

Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) is organized by The Genome Partnership, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1999 to advance research, education, and innovation in genome science and technology. AGBT convenes the global genomics community, bringing together leaders across academia, industry, and government to share discoveries, exchange ideas, build collaborations, and accelerate the impact of genomics. Through its meeting series, AGBT connects people and ideas across human health, agriculture, biotechnology, and emerging genomic technologies.

Media Contact: media@agbt.org