Human Genetics Center Timeline
- 1971
- 1973
- 1978
- 1994
- 1997
- 1998
- 2003
- 2007
- 2013
- 2016
- 2023
Human Genetics Center
Discovering how molecular variation impacts the health of individuals, families, and populations to improve public health and clinical care outcomes.
Our Mission
The mission of the Human Genetics Center is to discover how molecular variations, i.e., DNA, proteins, and metabolites, impact the health of individuals, families, and populations and to apply this information to improve public health and clinical care outcomes. We achieve our mission through a commitment to teaching, service, and research. Our research focuses on the impact of human genomic variation, as well as human genomic response to socioeconomic, lifestyle, and environmental stimuli, on various health-related outcomes, including infectious and noncommunicable diseases.
The Human Genetics Center integrates and makes accessible advanced genetics and multi-omics research to the public health disciplines of epidemiology, statistics, informatics, and public policy. We continue to expand our base of research through interdisciplinary collaboration with research groups across Texas and around the world. Our vision is to leave no genetic stone unturned in order to improve and sustain the health of all individuals.
Commitment
The Human Genetics Center achieves our mission through a commitment to teaching, service and research.
Integration
We integrate and make accessible advanced genetics and multi-omics research to the public health disciplines of epidemiology, statistics, informatics, and public policy.
Collaboration
We continue to expand our base of research through interdisciplinary collaboration with research groups across Texas and around the world.
Our History
The Human Genetics Center was established within the School of Public Health on Sept. 1, 1994. The Center represents the consolidation of two long-standing research centers that were located in The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, now named MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School. The research centers consisted of the Center for Demographic and Population Genetics, founded by Dr. William J. Schull in 1972, and the Medical Genetics Center, led by Dr. Margery W. Shaw in 1970. The Human Genetics Center has been designated by the World Health Organization as a collaborating center for the investigation of the genetics of common diseases.
1971
The Center for Demographic and Population Genetics (CDPG), the precursor to the Human Genetics Center, was founded by William Schull, PhD, who served as its first Director. This marked the beginning of the Center's legacy in advancing genetic research and education.
1973
The first manuscript from the Center for Demographic and Population Genetics (CDPG) was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG), establishing the Center’s early contributions to the field of human genetics.
1978
The Center for Demographic and Population Genetics (CDPG) relocated to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) building, establishing a more permanent academic presence.
1994
The Center for Demographic and Population Genetics was officially renamed the Human Genetics Center (HGC) and became part of the School of Public Health (SPH), reflecting its expanded mission and integration with public health research.
1997
Masatoshi Nei, PhD, a prominent geneticist affiliated with the Center, was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to evolutionary genetics.
1998
Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, was named Director of the Human Genetics Center, beginning a new chapter of leadership and innovation in genetic research.
2003
Wen-Hsiung Li, PhD, another distinguished scientist associated with the Center, was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences, further affirming the Center’s reputation for excellence in genetic research.
2007
The Center published its first genome-wide association study (GWAS) manuscript, marking a major milestone in its contributions to complex disease genetics.
2013
The Center published its first manuscript on whole genome sequencing (WGS), demonstrating its leadership in advancing genomic technologies and large-scale data analysis.
2016
Alanna Morrison, PhD, is appointed Director of the Human Genetics Center, ushering in a new phase of strategic growth and research innovation.
2023
Bing Yu, PhD, is named Co-Director of the Human Genetics Center, further strengthening the center’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and public health impact.