Session Abstract – PMWC 2025 Silicon Valley

Track 3 - February 6 9.00 A.M.-4.45 P.M.


Track Co-Chairs:
Yoel Sadovsky, UPMC
C. Noel Bairey Merz, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Program Theme: Women's Health Innovation.

  • PMWC 2025 Award Ceremony
    Pioneer Honoree: Nanette K. Wenger, Emory University
    Luminary Honoree: Diana Bianchi, NIH
  • Keynote: Understanding the Journey : Women and Coronary Heart Disease
    - Nanette K. Wenger, Emory University
  • Keynote: Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Sequencing and Incidental Detection of Maternal Cancer
    - Diane Bianchi, NIH
  • Innovations in Alzheimer's and Women's Health: Leveraging Omics for Precision Medicine
    Chair: Aparna Vasanthakumar, Abbvie
    - Duygu Tosun-Turgut, UCSF
  • Innovations in Women's Cardiovascular Health: From Research to Practice (PANEL)
    Chair: Noel Bairey Merz, Cedars-Sinai
    - Janet Wright, CDC
    - Judy Regensteiner, University of Colorado
    - Garima Sharma, Inova Health System
    - Roxana Mehran, Mount Sinai
  • From Fertility to Pregnancy
    Chair: Yoel Sadovsky, Magee Women's Research Inst.
    - Linda Giudice, UCSF (Data-Driven Approaches in Endometriosis Research)
    - Paolo Rinaudo, UCSF (Harnessing Data to Enhance Fertility Research and Treatments)
    - Vittorio Sebastiano, Stanford (Stem Cells in Fertility and Aging)
    - Ruth Bunker Lathi, Stanford (Differentiating Maternal and Fetal Causes of Miscarriage to Improve Outcomes)
    - Aleksandar Rajkovic, UCSF (Genetic Insights into Uterine Fibroids and Fertility)
  • PMWC Showcase
    - Neha Kumar, J&J
  • PMWC Showcase
    - Kaylene Ready, Juniper Genomics
  • Prediction of Pregnancy Health
    - Leslie Manace, Kaiser
  • Harnessing Pre-Pregnancy Data to Predict Pregnancy Health
    Chair: Yoel Sadovsky, Magee Women's Research Inst.
    - Priya Pantham, UCSD (Advancements in RNA-based Biomarker Discovery for gestational diseases)
    - Mike Snyder, Stanford (The Role of Biological Clocks in Pregnancy: Insights from Multi-Omics Analysis)
    - Alison Paquette, Seattle Children's Research Institute (Multi-Omics Analysis of the Placenta: Unlocking New Insights into Pregnancy Health)

 Speaker Profile

PHARMD, President, ASP

Biography
Sara Rogers co founded the American Society of Pharmacovigilance and co-led the formation of the Standardizing Laboratory Practices in Pharmacogenomics (STRIPE) Collaborative Community, a public private multidisciplinary initiative to develop consensus based industry standards for pharmacogenetics testing. She joined Texas AM University in 2021, where she holds joint appointments with Institute of Biosciences and Technology, School of Medicine and Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy. Rogers co chairs the Pharmacogenomics Access and Reimbursement Coalition and collaboratively develops the Coalition's research agenda to understand the payment and policy landscape for pharmacogenetics testing and its role in disparities in patient access. Rogers is an organizational member of the NIH NHGRI InterSociety Coordinating Committee and develops educational resources to help practitioners navigate coverage for pharmacogenetics testing. Rogers has served as co investigator for a pilot study to identify ethical values and priorities related to pharmacogenomics. Her research focuses extensively on patient access to and reimbursement for pharmacogenetics testing.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., Director, Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars Sinai

Biography
Dr. Bairey Merz's research interests include women and cardiovascular disease, mental stress and heart disease, the role of exercise and stress management in reversing disease, the role of cholesterol and nutrition management in heart disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Bairey Merz is a prolific lecturer and member of many professional organizations and has received numerous investigational grants and chairs the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored WISE (Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation) initiative. Dr. Bairey Merz has received numerous awards and honors, and her extensive scientific publication record spans 425+ scientific papers, 315+ abstracts, myriad book chapters, and countless peer-reviewed journals.ompleted her residency at the University of California, San Francisco, where she served as Chief Medical Resident before completing fellowships in clinical cardiology and nuclear cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.


Talk
It is established that there are gender differences in the clinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the incidence of cardiovascular event, and the use of evidenced-based CVD therapies. There are also gender and sex differences physiologic factors unique to women or men that may affect cardiovascular risk, diagnosis and therapies.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., FACC, Director, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, CDC

Biography
Dr. Janet S. Wright was appointed director of CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention in December of 2020, following her two-year detail as Director of Science and Policy in the Surgeon General's Office. Recognized for her exemplary service, she was awarded the 2020 Surgeon Generals Award.Between 2011 and 2019, Dr. Wright led Million Hearts, an HHS initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes, successfully preventing an estimated 500,000 cardiovascular events nationwide with extensive collaboration. Before her federal service and following two decades of cardiology practice in Chico, California, she was Senior Vice President for Science and Quality at the American College of Cardiology, overseeing clinical guidelines, quality improvement projects, and registries. Dr. Wright's medical degree is from the University of Tennessee, with residency and cardiology fellowship completed in San Francisco.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., MPH, Chair, Department of Cardiology, Cedars Sinai

Biography
Dr. Albert is a pioneer and leading expert in the field of epidemiology of heart rhythm disorders with more than 200 peer-reviewed publications in New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Nature Genetics and other top-tier scientific journals. Dr. Albert's NIH-funded research program focuses on epidemiology, risk stratification, and prevention of sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation in large prospective cohort designs and in multi-center clinical studies. This has led to seminal findings on the contribution of diet, supplements, lifestyle, and genetics to the burden of heart rhythm disorders. Dr. Albert is also at the forefront of utilizing genetic, biologic, and electrocardiographic markers to improve risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in broad populations. She also served as President of the Heart Rhythm Society and serves on the editorial boards of Heart Rhythm and Circulation.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., FACC, FAHA, Director, Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Cardio-Obstetrics, Inova Health System

Biography
Dr. Garima Sharma is a recognized national leader in womens health and preventive cardiology. Board-certified in cardiovascular disease, she specializes in treating women with cardiac issues during pregnancy, hypertension, spontaneous coronary artery disease (SCAD), and lipid abnormalities. Dr. Sharma's research focuses on pregnancy-related conditions, maternal obesity, health disparities, and postpartum prevention of hypertensive disorders. She completed her training at Temple University Hospital and was previously on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she founded the cardio-obstetrics program. Dr. Sharma has published extensively in top-tier academic journals, authored guidelines on cardiovascular health in women, and received grants from organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Institutes of Health. She currently serves as the governor of the Maryland Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).


 Speaker Profile

Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, U of Colorado

Biography
Dr. Regensteiner is Director of the Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research. Her research expertise is in the cardiovascular effects of diabetes with a specific focus on women with type 2 diabetes. Her lab has been funded for over 30 years and her more than 180 publications have influenced the field. She is a Principal Investigator for the National Institutes of Health's Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) grant and the Doris Duke Foundation's Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists as well as a Principal Investigator on a NIH RO1 for her research on the cardiovascular consequences of type 2 diabetes. She is on the Advisory Committee for the NIH's Office of Research on Women's Health. She is also an alumna of the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (ELAM) and is on the steering committee of the national Leaders in Women's Health group.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., Professor of Medicine in Cardiology and Population Health Science, Mount Sinai

Biography
Dr. Roxana Mehran, is an internationally renowned interventional cardiologist and clinical research expert in cardiovascular disease. With over 1,600 peer-reviewed articles and a position on the (ACC) Board of Trustees, her influence is profound. As a principal investigator for numerous global studies and a key member of clinical guidelines committees, her expertise is widely recognized. She founded the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and leads the Lancet Women and CVD Commission, addressing research gaps in women's cardiovascular health. She is named Director of the Womens Heart and Vascular Center at Mount Sinai, she pioneers interdisciplinary programs tailored to women's needs. She established Women as One to empower women in medicine. Her accolades include the ACC Bernadine Healy Leadership in Womens CVD award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the 2022 AHA Women in Cardiology Mentoring Award and the 2022 CRF Pulse-Setter Champion Award, highlighting her enduring commitment to advancing cardiovascular medicine and mentoring future leaders


 Speaker Profile

Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UCSD

Biography
Dr. Priya Pantham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego, where she leads a research lab dedicated to maternal-fetal health. Her work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and preeclampsia. With a background in -omics research, Dr. Pantham's lab investigates the role of the placenta in pregnancy outcomes, aiming to translate findings into clinical applications that improve maternal and neonatal health. She is CoLeader of the Science and Technology Hub at the newly established Center for OBGYN Research Innovation (CORI) at UCSD, collaborating across disciplines to advance knowledge in womens health.


Talk
Advancements in RNA-based Biomarker Discovery for Gestational Diseases
The impact of preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, can be reduced by accurate diagnosis early during pregnancy. Extracellular RNA (exRNA) biomarkers can guide identification of at-risk individuals and management of this diverse syndrome. Novel, non-invasive methods to identify exRNA biomarkers of gestational diseases will be presented.


 Speaker Profile

MD, Executive Director, Magee Women's Research Inst.

Biography
Dr. Sadovsky is the Executive Director of Magee Women's Research Institute, the Elsie Hilliard Hillman Chair of Women's Health Research, Distinguished Professor of OBGYN, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Associate Dean, Women's Health Research and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (Washington University), and maternal-fetal medicine (UCSF). His NIH-funded research focuses on feto-placental development and molecular mechanisms underlying placental function, aiming to better understand early human development and pregnancy health. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Association of American Physicians. He has served as president of the Society for Reproductive Investigation, on the Councils for NIHNICHD and the March of Dimes, and currently serves on the NIH Advisory Committee on Research in Womens Health. In 2013, he was awarded the Cozzarelli Prize in Biomedical Science from the National Academy of Sciences.


 Speaker Profile

MD, Executive Director, Magee Women's Research Inst.

Biography
Dr. Sadovsky is the Executive Director of Magee Women's Research Institute, the Elsie Hilliard Hillman Chair of Women's Health Research, Distinguished Professor of OBGYN, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Associate Dean, Women's Health Research and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (Washington University), and maternal-fetal medicine (UCSF). His NIH-funded research focuses on feto-placental development and molecular mechanisms underlying placental function, aiming to better understand early human development and pregnancy health. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Association of American Physicians. He has served as president of the Society for Reproductive Investigation, on the Councils for NIHNICHD and the March of Dimes, and currently serves on the NIH Advisory Committee on Research in Womens Health. In 2013, he was awarded the Cozzarelli Prize in Biomedical Science from the National Academy of Sciences.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., Ph.D., Professor, UCSF

Biography
Dr. Paolo Rinaudo is a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and fertility at the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health. In addition to caring for patients with fertility and endocrinological problems, Dr. Rinaudo conducts research on pre-implantation embryo development and the long-term consequences of in vitro culture.Dr. Rinaudo earned his medical degree at Torino Medical School and his doctorate at Torino University in Torino, Italy. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University, followed by a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.Dr. Rinaudo has received numerous prestigious honors and awards, including the ASRMSerono grant in reproductive biology and the President Presenter Award at the 50th annual meeting of the Society for Gynecological Investigation. He is a member of professional societies such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.


 Speaker Profile

PMWC PIONEER AWARD
Transformative work in genomics and wearable biosensors, catalyzing a shift towards predictive medicine

Ph.D., Chair, Department of Genetics, Stanford

Biography
As former Chair of the Department of Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Director of the Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Dr. Snyder has led groundbreaking research in the areas of genomics, biotechnology, and personalized health. His extensive research focuses on how genetic variation affects individual health and disease, heralding a new and more effective approach to healthcare. Dr. Snyder’s innovative work utilizes big data generated through high-throughput technologies, including genomics, proteomics, and wearable devices, to monitor disease onset and progression in real time. He is known for his pioneering study where he was both a subject and researcher, which opened new pathways in the understanding of personalized medicine and laid the groundwork for precision health. Professor Snyder's contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has also co-founded 17 biotechnology companies and serves on the board of numerous organizations that aim to revolutionize healthcare through genomics and personalized health strategies. Join us at PMWC 2025 to hear Dr. Snyder speak on the advancements in wearable technologies and multi-omics for disease prevention and early intervention, and to honor his incredible contributions to the field of precision medicine.


 Speaker Profile

Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Seattle Children's Hospital

Biography
Dr. Alison Paquette is an assistant professor at the Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CDBRM) at Seattle Childrens Research Institute and is affiliated with the University of Washington Department of Pediatrics. Her research centers on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHAD) paradigm, focusing on how prenatal environments shape lifelong health. A trainee of the renowned Dr. Lee Hood, she examines molecular mechanisms linking the in-utero environment to birth outcomes, particularly analyzing multi-omic data in the placenta. Dr. Paquette's work investigates how prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals impacts fetal growth and spontaneous preterm birth, with a focus on endocrine disrupting chemicals. She was recently recognized for this work by receiving an Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) award from the National Institute for Environmental Health in 2023.


Talk
Multi-Omics Analysis of the Placenta: Unlocking New Insights into Pregnancy Health


 Speaker Profile

Ph.D., Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF

Biography
Dr. Duygu Tosun-Turgut is a distinguished Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She leads innovative research at the intersection of neuroimaging and biomedical informatics, focusing on the development and application of advanced imaging techniques to study brain structure and function. Dr. Tosun-Turguts work is pivotal in understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, employing cutting-edge MRI and PET imaging to track disease progression and response to therapies.Her contributions extend to numerous high-impact publications and active participation in large-scale collaborative studies, reflecting her commitment to advancing precision medicine through technological innovation. Dr. Tosun-Turguts research not only enhances our knowledge of brain health but also paves the way for developing personalized treatment strategies for neurodegenerative conditions.


 Speaker Profile

PMWC PIONEER AWARD
Pioneering research identified gender differences in heart disease, significantly advancing women's cardiovascular health and transforming clinical practices

M.D., Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Emory U.

Biography
Dr. Wenger is a clinical cardiologist and clinical trialist at the Emory University School of Medicine with a major interest in heart disease in women, geriatric cardiology, and cardiac rehabilitation. She is a past Chief of Cardiology at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Wenger is a consultant to the Emory Heart and Vascular Center and founding consultant of the Emory Women's Heart Center. She has authored over 1,700 scientific articles, reviews, and book chapters.


 Speaker Profile

PMWC LUMINARY AWARD
Pioneer of non-invasive prenatal genetic testing and fetal cell microchimerism research, her leadership in the Human Placenta Project has improved maternal and fetal health outcomes.

M.D., Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD, NIH

Biography
Dr. Bianchi's research focuses on noninvasive prenatal DNA screening, its consequences for fetal and maternal health, and development of novel prenatal therapies for genetic disorders. She manages a 1.75B research portfolio on women's and children's health. She has had multiple leadership roles in international societies. Dr. Bianchi has received many awards, including election to the US National Academy of Medicine, the 2015 Neonatal Landmark Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the 2016 Maureen Andrew Award for Mentorship, the 2017 lifetime achievement award in Medical Genetics from the March of Dimes, and the ISPDs 2019 Pioneer Award. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Amsterdam and the Health Public Service Visionary Award from the Society for Womens Health Research in 2020. In 2022 she was a finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals and was named as one of Forbes.com Fifty (women) Over 50 in the category Impact.


Talk


 Speaker Profile

PMWC LUMINARY AWARD
Pioneer of non-invasive prenatal genetic testing and fetal cell microchimerism research, her leadership in the Human Placenta Project has improved maternal and fetal health outcomes.

M.D., Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD, NIH

Biography
Dr. Bianchi's research focuses on noninvasive prenatal DNA screening, its consequences for fetal and maternal health, and development of novel prenatal therapies for genetic disorders. She manages a 1.75B research portfolio on women's and children's health. She has had multiple leadership roles in international societies. Dr. Bianchi has received many awards, including election to the US National Academy of Medicine, the 2015 Neonatal Landmark Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the 2016 Maureen Andrew Award for Mentorship, the 2017 lifetime achievement award in Medical Genetics from the March of Dimes, and the ISPDs 2019 Pioneer Award. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Amsterdam and the Health Public Service Visionary Award from the Society for Womens Health Research in 2020. In 2022 she was a finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals and was named as one of Forbes.com Fifty (women) Over 50 in the category Impact.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford

Biography
Ruth Bunker Lathi is a leading reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Stanford University. She has made significant contributions to the field of reproductive medicine, particularly in the areas of recurrent pregnancy loss, in vitro fertilization, and preimplantation genetic testing. Dr. Lathi's research focuses on improving fertility outcomes and advancing diagnostic methods for genetic screening in reproductive health. Her work has been instrumental in developing protocols that enhance the success rates of fertility treatments while minimizing risks to patients. Dr. Lathi is also recognized for her dedication to patient care, providing compassionate and personalized treatment to individuals and couples facing infertility challenges.


Talk
Miscarriage is the most common complication of early pregnancy affecting 10-40% of recognized pregnancies. Genetic testing and diagnosis at the time of miscarriage can help determine recurrence risk and guide testing and treatment options.


 Speaker Profile

M.D., Chief Genomics Officer, UCSF

Biography
Dr. Aleksandar Rajkovic serves as the Medical Director and Chief of the Center for Genetic and Genomic Medicine (CGGM) that organizes, coordinates and oversees Clinical Genetics and Genomics Services across the UCSF Health System. He is also Stuart Lindsay Distinguished Professor in Experimental Pathology I, member of the American Society of Clinical Investigator, American Association of Physicians and National Academy of Medicine. His research interests lie in basic and translational medical sciences in reproductive and population genetics. His current work focuses on implementing precision medicine tools across UCSF and evaluate its clinical significance and validity.


Talk
This talk explores the genetic mechanisms behind uterine fibroids, focusing on key mutations like MED12 and their impact on fibroid development. Implications for fertility and pregnancy are discussed, highlighting novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies aimed at improving reproductive outcomes for affected women. Cutting-edge genomic and clinical insights will be presented.


 Speaker Profile

Chief Product Officer, Juniper Genomics

Biography
Kaylene is a genetic counselor and the Chief Product Officer at Juniper Genomics. After several years in the clinic working directly with patients, she has spent the last decade specializing in developing and deploying breakthrough genomic testing and digital health products to clinicians and patients. Prior to joining Juniper, Kaylene worked at Strata Oncology, GeneMatters (now part of Genome Medical) and Counsyl (now part of Myriad Genetics). She received her M.S. in genetic counseling at the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston. She is particularly excited about Junipers efforts to make the path to pregnancy clearer, faster, and more affordable for aspiring parents.


Talk
The Future of Fertility (is Genomics)
Since the human genome was first sequenced, scientists, clinicians and patients have struggled with translating insights into meaningful action. IVF creates a uniquely actionable moment because parents can choose which embryo to transfer. Juniper's approach is grounded in detailed, rigorous science - providing families with the right data to make informed and ethical decisions.


 Speaker Profile

Ph.D., Senior Principal Research Scientist, Genomics Research Center, Abbvie

Biography
Aparna Vasanthakumar is a Senior Principal Research Scientist in the Genomics Research Center in AbbVie, where she directs pharmacogenomic and exploratory genomic studies in the Neuroscience, Specialty Medicine, and Virology spaces. She was the 2019 chair of the Alzheimers disease neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) private partners Scientific Board (PPSB), which brings together for-profit and non-profit institutions that provide advice from the industry scientific perspective on the ADNI consortium. She continues to lead the ADNI methylation working group, overseeing the planning and analysis of DNA methylation data from ADNI subjects. She also served as the Programing Chair in the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) Alliance of Women Researchers (AWARE) Professional Interest Area from 2020-2022. Before joining AbbVie in 2015, Aparna was a Research Assistant Professor at The University of Chicago where she studied the impact of epigenetics in hematopoietic stem cell development.


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