Dr. Hana Al Alshaykh is a Clinical Pharmacogenomics Specialist and a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and her postgraduate year residency (PGY1) training at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC). She continued her career path through a Clinical Pharmacogenomics (PGx) PGY2 training at University of Florida. Her training and expertise concentrate on the implementation of Pharmacogenomics service in clinical practice and developing it from ground level up. Currently she works at KFSHRC as PGx implementer in collaboration with Pharmaceutical Care Division and Center for Genomics Medicine and she couples her interest with research and teaching as she loves to see precision medicine disseminates and grow in the Middle East region.

Questions:

1.       How long have you been a member of PGRN, and how did you first join PGRN?

I’ve been a member of PGRN for 2 years, yay! I joined while I was doing my Clinical Pharmacogenomics PGY2 residency training at University of Florida.

2.       What is your current position/role, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I’m a Clinical Pharmacogenomics Specialist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

I work with an interdisciplinary team to build the infrastructure of pharmacogenomics clinical service from ground level up, providing clinical pharmacogenomics consults, and maintaining/updating the scope and content of the service for optimal utilization over time.

What I enjoy the most is the dynamic nature of my job; as my responsibilities are varying across different stages of the implementation. It integrates multiple tasks and skills while going through the process. It always excites me to learn, teach, and conduct research all while building the service and expanding it to reach more patients. Also, it is wonderful to be part of the implementing team leading an innovative service to optimize patient care across different disciplines.

3.       How has PGRN helped your career in pharmacogenomics?

Being part of PGRN is a fantastic way to connect with pharmacogenomics experts and stay close by collaborative and research efforts. Moreover, seeing the progress of my collogues in advocating for pharmacogenomics service and expanding its access genuinely delights and motivates me.

4.       What do you see as the most exciting advances in pharmacogenomics over the next 2-5 years?

Getting a closer attention and support from drug-regulating and medical agencies. This will help big time in the widespread adoption of pharmacogenomics testing within resources that healthcare providers are more familiar with such as drug labeling and disease management guidelines. The competition among the providers of pharmacogenomics testing along with advancing pharmacogenomics testing itself will promote for a more accessible and affordable pharmacogenomics testing.

Personal questions

5.       If there are no restrictions to travel, where would you like to go in the next 3-6 months?

Hop on a sailing boat and explore the far east and pacific islands!

6.       When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?

Go to the nearest water access for freediving or kitesurfing J