Located on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond, the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics is home to a community of passionate and dedicated researchers, educators and emerging leaders in the field of genetics.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics at VCU is to train the next generation of scientists, and to make fundamental discoveries that advance the ever-changing fields of genetics and epigenetics. By focusing on the broad expanse of molecules, genes, cells, microenvironment, organisms and interactions between organisms and the environment, the department seeks to provide a complete picture and atlas of both normal and disease states in order to diagnose and treat diseases through innovative research.

Department History

1938

Dr. Roscoe D. Hughes formed the Department of Biology and Genetics in the Medical College of Virginia's School of Pharmacy, one of the first departments with genetics in its title.

1953

The first graduate degree was awarded.

1962

The department was transferred to the new School of Basic Health Sciences as a program in human genetics.

1968

Virginia Commonwealth University was born, and the human genetics program became part of VCU's School of Basic Health Sciences.

1975

The human genetics program attained full department status, making VCU one of only a handful of U.S. institutions with an autonomous department of human genetics, and the only one in the southeast. Dr. Walter Nance was recruited to be the first chair of the department.

1976

Drs. Linda Corey and Walter Nance established the Virginia Twin Registry (now known as the Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry).

1978

The first departmental Ph.D. was awarded.

1981

Dr. Lindon Eaves was recruited from the University of Birmingham to establish the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group (GERD).

1983

The Department of Human Genetics became part of the VCU School of Medicine.

1986

Dr. Barry Wolf initiated the first statewide screen to test for biotinidase deficiency in newborns.

1987

The Stony Point Antenatal Testing Facility was opened.

1990

Under the direction of Dr. Joann Bodurtha, the Department of Human Genetics created a graduate track in genetic counseling and matriculated its first students.

1992

Dr. Walter Nance became president of the American Society of Human Genetics. The M.S. in genetic counseling program was approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

1993

The fellowship program in the Department of Human Genetics became one of only 24 programs accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, one of only two boards providing medical certification to both Ph.D. and M.D. trainees.

1994

The M.S. in genetic counseling attained full accreditation by the professional governing body, the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).

1996

The Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, led by Drs. Lindon Eaves and Kenneth Kendler, was established by merging the GERD (see 1981) and Psychiatric Genetics Research Program (PGRP) in the Department of Psychiatry.

1997

The Virginia Twin Registry (VTR) and the North Carolina Twin Registry merged to form the VCU Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR), directed by Drs. Linda Corey and Lenn Murrelle.

2002

Dr. Peter O'Connell became chair of the department.

2004

Ms. Lauren Vanner-Nicely, director of the genetic counseling program, and Dr. Rita Shiang established a dual M.S. in genetic counseling and Ph.D. in human genetics program, the only such dual degree program in the U.S.

2006

The VCU Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) became part of VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Dr. Judy Silberg was appointed the scientific director.

2007

Dr. Walter Nance received the McKusick Leadership Award from the American Society of Human Genetics.

2008

Dr. Paul B. Fisher became chair of the department and the inaugural head of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine. The department changed its name from the Department of Human Genetics to the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics.

2010

Human and Molecular Genetics faculty members established two new research training programs, the VCU Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) and the VCU Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) postdoctoral program to help diversify the biomedical workforce in conjunction with the VCU Center on Health Disparities.

2013

Dr. Lindon Eaves was named professor emeritus.

2018

Drs. Timothy York, Aaron Wolen and Rita Shiang established a concentration in genomic data science in the M.S. in human genetics program.

2020

Rachel Gannaway, Heather Creswick and Dr. Rita Shiang established the graduate certificate program in clinical genetics.

2023

Michael Grotewiel, Ph.D., named interim department chair, and Roxann Roberson-Nay, Ph.D., named interim graduate program director