Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of how variations in the human genome affect response to certain medications. Although it is a relatively new field, it is one that involves heavy scientific research. Therefore, it is essential that the students who are currently in the PGx program and those who have graduated from the program stay current with the latest findings.


The PGx Student Organization invites all students, faculty and alumni to join the PGx Journal Club. Each month, a faculty member will choose a research and suggest a few questions/issues to discuss. The meetings will be held in Ashburn, and led by faculty or senior students. The purpose of these meetings is to enhance the students’ understanding of PGx and to help analyze scientific research procedures and findings. These meetings are optional, and will never interfere with school work.

Links to the selected research paper and discussion questions will be posted prior to the scheduled meeting.

Upcoming meeting:

Tuesday, November 20th at 12:00 p.m in Ashburn, VA

Ngoc-Han Ha will be presenting:

"The CYP2D6 Activity Score: Translating Genotype Information into a Qualitative Measure of Phenotype" by Gaedigk et al. (2007). Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 10:1038

Thursday, October 11th at 11:00 a.m in Ashburn, VA.

Dr. Travis O’Brien will be discussing:

"The impact of cytochrome P450 2D6 metabolism in women receiving adjuvant tamoxifen" by Goetz et al. (2007). Breast Cancer Res Treat 101:113–121