Under the leadership of Drs. Caitlin G. Allen and Lori Orlando, the Precision Health Research Program applies implementation science to design, implement, and rigorously evaluate precision health and genomic interventions in collaboration with our community and health system stakeholder partners in the following areas:

  1. Implementation of genomic medicine
  2. Population-based genomic screening
  3. Communication of genomic information
  4. Workforce development

Vision

To create a future where precision health is accessible, equitable, and seamlessly integrated into everyday care for every community.

Mission

To advance precision health by developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative stakeholder-informed implementation science solutions for genomic medicine that improve care for all. 

Projects

  • Advancing Translational Science Through the Implementation of Population Based Genomic Screening (ASPIRE): In this project, we are building and testing innovative, technology-enhanced approaches to make population-based genomic screening (PGS) more efficient at Atrium Health. By co-designing recruitment and results-return strategies with patients and community partners, and piloting tools such as automated e-consent, electronic patient portal outreach, educational videos, and the use of a chatbot to deliver information and education, ASPIRE aims to reduce barriers, streamline participation, and generate real-world evidence to scale genomic medicine programs for public health impact. 
  • Building Evidence for Optimal Genomic Screening Implementation in Primary Care (BEACON): Population-based genomic screening (PGS) has the potential to identify millions of individuals at risk for serious conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, yet it remains underutilized in primary care settings. Building off the multi-year PGS program “In Our DNA SC”, BEACON will identify the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of PGS across primary care providers (PCP) in South Carolina. (U01HG01498) 
  • Creating the Next Generation of Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) Platform to Empower Rural Communities to Precision Cancer Medicine: This project, funded by the Duke Endowment, will build a Next Generation (NextGen) Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) using generative AI to support clinical cancer decisions. The NextGen platform, designed for regional and then national usage, will leverage the capability and experience gained from current MTBs and clinical trials to build a system that supports wide-ranging oncologist communities, decreases inequities in screening and diagnosing, and improves care for all. This project will improve accessibility for rural oncologists to access expert guidance in use of targeted immunotherapy in cancer patients; enhance patient care by providing rural oncologists with easy access to better tools to interpret complex genomic data; improve patient outcomes in rural areas; decrease inequities of care among underrepresented groups by improves access to precision cancer medicine; and improve efficiency and decrease workforce and time required to provide guidance in precision oncology by using AI and machine learning. 
  • Expanding Cancer Genetics Access through CHW-Genetic Counselor Partnerships (EMPOWER): Since 2022, our team has collaborated closely with numerous partners in the Southeast United States (US) to train more than 175 community health workers (CHWs) in genomic competencies. Building from these partnerships, EMPOWER, funded by the Fullerton Foundation will develop and test a first of its kind model to establish a CHW-genetic counselor partnership designed to improve access to genetic care across the Southeast US. 
  • Facilitating the Implementation of Population-based Genomic Screening (FOCUS): This project is establishing the gold standard approach for integrating population-based genomic screening (PGS) into community and clinical settings. FOCUS is identifying generalizable methods and knowledge about how clinical settings can implement PGS into daily routines, operations, and workflow. In collaboration with our partners, FOCUS will apply implementation mapping to conduct a needs assessment of PGS programs, create an implementation toolkit, and evaluate the utility of the implementation toolkit using a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial design.  (R01HG013851).
    • FOCUS Partners include University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston, University of South Florida, University of Southern California, Geisinger Clinic, and the Medical University of South Carolina.
  • Scalable Clinical Decision Support for Individualized Cancer Risk Management (GARDE): GARDE is a scalable clinical decision support (CDS) tool for individualized cancer risk management. Evidence supports individualizing cancer screening based on each person’s risk. This study will enhance and disseminate software that scans electronic health records (EHRs) of target patient populations to 1) automatically identify those at high risk to develop hereditary cancers according to guidelines from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and 2) reach out to patients via automated “chatbots” offering patient education and the opportunity to receive at home genetic testing for hereditary cancers. Through wide dissemination, the GARDE platform has the potential to enable evidence-based, individualized cancer screening to reduce cancer burden (5U24CA274582-02).
    • GARDE Partners include the University of Utah
    • For more information, visit the GARDE website
  • Genomic medicine Risk Assessment Care for Everyone (GRACE): Family health history (FHH), a critical component of genomic medicine that is essential for both identifying individuals at risk for hereditary conditions and for contextualizing results of genetic testing, continues to be broadly underutilized and underappreciated in clinical care. GRACE is designed to: 1) develop and deploy a FHH collection model using pre-implementation assessments at clinical sites with highly diverse patient populations to select the most appropriate integration options and pathways for both patients and providers; and 2) perform a randomized implementation-effectiveness pragmatic hybrid trial to assess implementation and effectiveness outcomes relevant to these diverse populations. Outcomes will include reach, uptake, clinical utility, accessibility, genetic testing frequency, genetic testing results, and cost-effectiveness (5R01-HG011794-03).
  • Precision Public Health Network: Established in 2019, PPHN is an international, transdisciplinary community dedicated to advancing the research agenda for precision cancer care and control. The PPHN is a collaborative hub for researchers to develop methods and evidence needed to advance population-level genomics health. (R13CA261073).
  • PaRtnEring to build understanding oF gEnomics Responsibly (PREFER) CHW Genomics Research Education Program (PREFER CHW): The PREFER CHW program is designed to fill the gap in available resources to train CHWs in basic competencies related to genomics. We are working with CHW training programs in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi to develop and implement the program (1R25HG013479-01).
  • Research on Improving Systems of Education (RISE): RISE is a collaboration among four CTSA hubs (the University of Buffalo, the University of Pennsylvania, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of Alabama Birmingham) that seek to evaluate the impact of remote vs. in-person methods on clinical trial efficiency (accrual) and quality (retention, treatment adherence, biospecimen completion rates) across 3 RCTs on 3 different use cases (smoking, depression, and SUD).  (1UG3TR004797-01A1).
  • Southeastern Genomic Medicine eConsult Network (SEGMENT): The purpose of SEGMENT is to build, launch, and evaluate an online eConsultation informatics platform to help build the knowledge base of the diagnosis of disease using socio-technical engineering to share knowledge across state lines among a community of clinical partners to improve access to complex care in rural and underserved areas in North and South Carolina and Georgia. SEGMENT will increase access for rural and underserved populations in the south. (1U01HG014142-01).
  • Training Institute for the Implementation of Genomics Research (TIGER): TIGER aims to provide participants with a thorough understanding of in conducting dissemination and implementation (D&I) science research with a specific focus on genomics, genomics research, and precision medicine. Through a competitive process, public health researchers, practitioners, and policy makers will participate in a 10-week hybrid training program. (1R25HG014753-01).
  • The VA Genomics Learning Health System: Implementing genomic medicine across diverse veteran communities: The VA will bring its national learning health system (LHS) infrastructure and genomic medicine implementation strategies to a network of other genomics-enabled LHS. The gLHS network will conduct implementation projects centered on a mainstream model for delivery of genomic medicine that promotes the use of evidence-based guideline-concordant genetic testing by frontline clinicians. (U01HG013781).

Our Team

Caitlin Allen

Caitlin Allen, Ph.D - Primary Investigator

Dr. Allen is a social and behavioral scientist with expertise in the implementation of evidence-based research to advance precision public health initiatives. She leads the Precision Health Research Program. She is a thought leader in the field of precision public health, with her work highlighted in Nature and Harvard Public Health Magazine.

Her overarching research goal is to support the translation of genomics applications to maximize population health impact and address health disparities. To achieve this goal, Dr. Allen focuses on contributing to the field in three key areas: 1) participatory implementation science to support community engagement in genomics and precision public health research, 2) the training of community health workers in genomics research competencies, and 3) novel approaches to communicating genomic information to people representing a broad range of backgrounds (e.g., risk communication, results disclosure, family health history). Dr. Allen is also a dedicated mentor who is passionate about training the next generation of scientists in the field of precision public health.

Lori A. Orlando, MD MHS MMCI.

Lori A. Orlando, MD MHS MMCI

Dr. Orlando, a Professor of Medicine and health services researcher. She is the president of MeTree&You® and an expert in applying informatics and implementation science to genomic medicine – particularly around identifying and managing individuals at increased risk for medical conditions. In her 20-year career she has published over 90 manuscripts, secured extensive grant funding, and speaks internationally about optimizing disease risk assessment. Her research programs focus on using technology to overcome barriers to family health history-based risk assessment and developing care pathways that address the entire genomic medicine pipeline – from identification to cascade screening of family members. 

Jarrod Marable

Jarrod Marable, BS - Program Manager I

Jarrod is a Project Manager I who joined the Precision Health Research Program in 2024. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Sewanee: The University of The South. Jarrod works across many projects including FOCUS, where we find both barriers and facilitators to implementing successful Population-wide Genomic Screening programs in clinical institutions.

Jaslyn A. Grullon, MPH

Jaslyn A. Grullon, MPH - Program Manager II

Jaslyn is a Project Manager II with the Precision Health Research Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from East Carolina University and her Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. 

Jaslyn specializes in project management, research administration, study startup, implementation and maintenance, and evidence-based interventions. She is committed to developing and supporting evidence-based interventions that address and bridge critical gaps in public health research. Jaslyn believes that data should not only inform knowledge but also translate into actionable strategies that improve population outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Leslie deRosset, MSPH, MPH

Leslie deRosset, MSPH, MPH – Senior Research Associate

Leslie is a Senior Research Associate with the Precision Health Research Program. She received her Master in Public Health from the University of South Carolina and her Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). Leslie has extensive experience in implementation science and practice, systems thinking, co-design principles, and adaptive leadership. She centers her work on translating research into actionable policy and practices.

Her work has been and continues to center the voices and lived experience of vulnerable populations, with a strong focus on advancing equitable outcomes and addressing the social and structural drivers of health. 

In addition to her work with at Wake Forest University, she is an adjunct professor at UNC’s School of Global Public Health’s online MPH@UNC program.

Marie Smith

Marie Smith, MS

Marie is a PhD candidate at Clemson University in the Applied Health Research and Evaluation program and a Graduate Student Researcher with the Precision Health Research Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Furman University and her Master in Science in Applied Health Research and Evaluation from Clemson University. Marie’s previous work in both genetics’ education and in the clinical oncology setting have influenced her unique research areas of interest including genetic literacy, population genetics, genetic risk stratification, cancer prevention and control, and personalized risk modeling for high-risk and/or underserved populations.

Courtney Gauchel, MS, RN

Courtney Gauchel, MS, RN – Research Associate

Courtney is a Research Associate with the Precision Health Research Program with a background in clinical nursing and biomedical informatics. Her work focuses on the design and evaluation of patient-centered digital health tools, particularly at the intersection of artificial intelligence, genomics, and clinical communication.

Courtney’s recent projects include the development of chatbot-based interventions to support families following newborn screening results, including work in sickle cell trait and cystic fibrosis. Her research emphasizes translating complex clinical and genomic information into accessible, empathetic, and actionable communication for patients and families.

With experience spanning clinical care, informatics, and health communication, Courtney brings a unique perspective to precision health—ensuring that emerging technologies are not only technically sound, but also usable, trustworthy, and aligned with real-world patient needs."

Azita Sadeghpour, PhD, MS, CGC

Azita Sadeghpour, PhD, MS, CGC

Azita Sadeghpour is a Senior Research Scientist and a board-certified genetic counselor with over 20 years of experience in genetic counseling, including more than 15 years dedicated to genomic medicine research. She has extensive experience in clinical genetics, genetic testing, and large-scale translational research, including participant recruitment, informed consent, and the return of results, and has played key roles in multiple NIH-funded genomic studies focused on genome sequencing, variant annotation and interpretation, the return of genomic findings, digital family health history tool, pharmacogenomics, and the development of innovative approaches such as chatbot-based genetic education. 

Her work lies at the intersection of clinical care, research, and the implementation of genomic medicine. She is particularly focused on advancing genomic medicine across both clinical and population health settings, including population-based genomic screening initiatives. She is also interested in improving the communication of genomic information to patients to promote accessibility, understanding, and informed decision-making. 

Ingrid Wagner

Ingrid Wagner, MPH, BS

Ingrid is a Research Assistant with the Precision Health Research Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology from Indiana University and her Master of Public Health from Boston University. Her research examines racial disparities across the genetic services continuum—including referral, counseling, and testing—as well as the evaluation of patient-facing genomic education materials and factors influencing individuals’ decisions to decline genetic services.

Ingrid’s research interests center on improving equitable access to population genomic screening and informing implementation strategies that support the integration of genomics into clinical care.