Division of Genetic Medicine
The Division of Genetic Medicine is a robust and dynamic division, closely tied to the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, that leads the nation in revealing the complex interactions between our genome and human health.
The division innovates across its research and clinical missions to integrate genome variation with genome function to better define biological mechanisms of human disease.
The Division of Genetic Medicine provides an academic environment enabling researchers to explore new relationships between disease susceptibility and human genetics. The division was established to host both research and clinical research programs focused on the genetic basis of health and disease.
State-of-the-art research facilities
Equipped with state-of-the-art research tools and facilities, our faculty members are advancing knowledge of the common genetic determinants of cancer, congenital neuropathies, and heart disease.
Division faculty work jointly with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center to support the Hereditary Cancer Clinic for treating patients and families who have an inherited predisposition to various malignancies.
Advancing human health with new discoveries
We have seen tremendous growth in the demand for genetic evaluation in the clinical domain. Once confined to an esoteric corner of the medical landscape, genetic medicine today permeates daily practice. We have seen massive increases in the need for genetic evaluation in our cancer clinic, and have met that need with a revitalized clinical genetic counseling program, telehealth consultation, and a unique partnership with the Hematology and Oncology division to provide point-of-care testing.
Exemplifying our team’s role in making health care personal, we have partnered with physicians and scientists from across Vanderbilt to massively expand the Undiagnosed Disease clinic offerings, recognizing the potential to facilitate patients with previously intractable illnesses to find health.
Director, Division of Genetic Medicine
Department of Medicine
Nancy J. Cox, PhD, is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Genetic Medicine within the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Dr. Cox completed her PhD at Yale University and conducted postdoctoral research at Washington University and the University of Pennsylvania. She joined the faculty at the University of Chicago, where she spent her academic faculty career until she was recruited to Vanderbilt in 2015 to lead the new Vanderbilt Genetics Institute (VGI).