The first installment of Mix it Up will feature Dr. Tshaka Cunningham, the co-founder and chief scientific officer for Polaris Genomics. Dr. Tshaka Cunningham, a graduate of Princeton University, received his PhD in molecular biology from Rockefeller University & completed his postdoctoral training at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France and at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He previously worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs overseeing a federally funded national research program in aging & neurodegenerative disease and serving as a subject matter expert for the VA’s Genomic Medicine Implementation Program. Motivated by the timely need for advancements in diversity and inclusion in precision medicine while at the VA, Dr. Cunningham co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of the Faith-Based Genetic Research Institute, a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving people’s lives through the power of genomics and precision medicine. A leading voice in advocating for diversity & representation in the field of genomics, Dr. Cunningham also serves as a board member of the Future Kings and Queens of STEM biomedical program, a STEM-focused non-profit organization for youth from underserved communities in the DC-area. He will discuss his professional journey as well as best practices for engaging diverse communities in genomics and precision medicine.

The Mix it Up series is hosted in partnership with the All of Us Research Program. Learn more about the All of Us Research Program here: Joinallofus.org/togetherDALLAS