Meet Dr. Sara Van Driest, MD, PhD, Director of Pediatrics for the All of Us Research Program.

1. How long have you been a member of the PGRN?

I am a founding member of the PGRN; I think Jason Karnes and I were among the very first to sign up during the call that announced the existence of the organization! I was also involved with the PGRN when it was an NIH-funded network, starting when I joined Dan Roden’s lab as a fellow in 2010.

2. How has the PGRN helped your career in pharmacogenomics?

PGRN has consistently exposed me to high quality pharmacogenomic research, cutting edge findings, and glimpses of the future of the field. More importantly, it also catalyzed my relationships with collaborators and provided me with so many excellent role models at all stages of my career.

3. What is your current position/role?

I recently started in a new position as the Director of Pediatrics for the All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health. My job is to lead efforts in the program to engage pediatric participants in the cohort.

4. What do you enjoy most about your current position?

It has been incredibly inspiring and encouraging to meet my teammates at All of Us. They are an extremely bright and passionate group of individuals, which is important since we are trying to do some really difficult and important things.

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

I am most excited about the increasing commitment by individuals, institutions, and programs to be more inclusive, diverse, and equitable in every aspect of pharmacogenomics (including in the All of Us Research Program). This focus will lead to incredible scientific insights, decrease health disparities, and provide an example for other areas of science and medicine!