For more than 40 years, a comprehensive clinical, educational and research program in human and medical genetics has existed at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Our faculty provides comprehensive genetic testing services that are available through cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular laboratories. In addition, there are clinical genetic services and specialty programs in metabolic disease, congenital anomalies, cardiovascular genetics, cancer genetics and others as well as a program of basic and clinical research supported by more than $15 million in research grants and involving the efforts of more than 100 faculty and staff members.
We designed these innovative programs specifically to prepare the next generation of geneticists to meet the challenges resulting from the delineation of the molecular basis of inherited and common disorders. At the completion of their training, they will be uniquely qualified to apply the diagnostic and therapeutic advances developed in laboratories across the nation, including molecular diagnosis, gene therapy, and gene product replacement therapy. We offer the following comprehensive training programs.
The Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences serves as an accredited training site for the following medical genetics and medical education organizations:
- American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) since 1982, providing two-year experience in medical genetics laboratory training in the areas of clinical, cytogenetic, biochemical, and molecular geneticists.
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in medical genetics.
- American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) for our Genetic Counselor Training Program, which offers a master's degree.
How to Apply to Our Programs
Thank you for considering applying to our Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellowship Program. We are not accepting applications for the upcoming 2023 academic year at this time. Please consider visiting the ABMGG website for a list of accredited training programs. Our website will be updated when our application cycle opens again. If you have general questions, you may reach out to the Program Coordinator, William Hui (william.hui@sema4.com).
Laboratory Genetics & Genomics
Training Directors: Lisa Edelmann, PhD, FACMG, DABMG (CCG and CMG)
Ruth Kornreich, PhD, DABMG, FACMG (CMG)
LGG trainees will receive comprehensive, hands-on laboratory experience in both Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics/Cytogenomics divisions of the Sema4TM Lab, through fully integrated training that will enable fellows to direct future fellowship programs and pursue careers or leadership roles in Laboratory Genetics & Genomics. Trainees will gain skills and expertise in:
- Sample processing, test design and validation
- Result Interpretation, troubleshooting, reporting, and communication of results to providers
- Proper quality control and assurance
- Performing research in molecular and cytogenetic testing
Current Trainees in Laboratory Genetics & Genomics
| Name | Post Grad Year | Graduate School |
| Ana S.A. Cohen, PhD | PGY-2 |
Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Canada |
| Yan Bai, PhD | PGY-2 | Baylor College of Medicine, TX |
| Tingwei Guo, PhD | PGY-2 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY |
| Yavuz, Bayram, PhD | PGY-2 | Baylor College of Medicine, TX |
| Enpeng Zhao, PhD | PGY-1 |
Fundan University, Shanghai |
| Siwu Peng, PhD | PGY-1 |
Shantou University, Guangdong |
| Jun Chen, PhD | PGY-1 | University of Wisconsin, Madison |
Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Training Directors: Ruth Kornreich, PhD, DABMG, FACMG (CMG)
Focus of the clinical molecular genetics training program centers on developing the skills and experience needed to direct future fellowship programs and pursue careers and leadership roles within a molecular diagnostic laboratory. Trainees will gain expertise in:
- Test design and validation
- Interpretation, troubleshooting, reporting, and communication of results to providers
- Proper quality control and assurance
- Performing research in molecular genetic testing
Current Trainees in Clinical Molecular Genetics
| Name | Post Grad Year | Graduate School |
| Wahab Khan, PhD | PGY-2 | University of Western Ontario, Canada |
| Youbao Sha, PhD | PGY-2 | Baylor College of Medicine, TX |
| Mohammad Arif, PhD | PGY-2 | New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, NY |
| Yao Yang, PhD | PGY-2 |
Southeast University, Nanjing, China |
Clinical Biochemical Genetics
Training Director: Chunli Yu, MD
Experience gained from the clinical biochemical genetics training program enables our trainees to direct future fellowship programs and pursue careers or leadership roles in biochemical diagnostics. Trainees acquire the skills and gain expertise in:
- Test design and validation.
- Interpretation, troubleshooting, reporting, and communication of results to providers.
- Proper quality control and assurance.
- Performing research in biochemical genetic testing.
Current Trainee in Clinical Biochemical Genetics
| Name | Post Grad Year | Graduate School |
| Brandon Stauffer, PhD | PGY-2 | Emory University, GA |
Lab Director: Lisa Edelmann, PhD
We have designed the clinical cytogenetics training program to provide trainees with the skills they will need to direct future fellowship programs, pursue a professional career, or direct a cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory. Training includes:
- Gaining expertise in test design and validation.
- Interpretation, troubleshooting, reporting, and communication of results to providers.
- Proper quality control and assurance and to direct a fellowship program in the future.
- Performing research in cytogenetic testing.
Current Trainees in Clinical Cytogenetics Genetics
| Name | Post Grad Year | Graduate School |
| Geetu Mendiratta-Vij, PhD | PGY-3 | Delhi University, New Delhi |
Courses and Conferences
Within this training program, we require fellows to attend and complete a formal, graduate-level course in medical genetics each year. The lectures cover basic scientific underpinnings of genetic disease, clinical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and biochemical genetics. In addition, instruction on the genetics of cancer, immunology, developmental and neurological disorders, and population and statistical genetics help round out the fellows’ formal education in the basic genetic sciences. Fellows attend the departmental Journal Club, which meets bi-weekly. Additionally, once a month each lab presents an individual Journal Club covering material that related to those respective specialties. Throughout their training, fellows are expected to attend the weekly departmental seminar presenting original research in the basic biomedical sciences.
During the weekly clinical case conference, reports on interesting patients and reviews of diagnostic tests as they pertain to Medical Genetics in the basic science and clinical literature are presented. Fellows also are scheduled to observe genetic counseling sessions.
Mandatory Courses and Conferences
- Medical Genetics Course
- Metabolic Didactic
- Clinical Case Conference
- Clinical Journal Club
- Departmental Seminar Series
Recommended Courses and Conferences
- Genetics and Genomic Sciences Work in Progress, Research Seminar
- Genomics of Common Diseases Seminar
- Special Topics in Cytogenetics
- Cancer Genetics Journal Club
- Advanced topics in pharmacogenomics
- Pharmacogenomics
- Seminar in Genetics & Genomic Sciences
- Genetics & Genomic Sciences Core III
- Advance Human Genetics