Speaker Profile
MS, CGC, Heidi Cope is a Senior Research Genetic Counselor at RTI International with expertise in genomic counseling and the use of genomic sequencing to diagnose rare diseases. Ms. Cope is the Associate Director of Early Check, a voluntary newborn screening program in North Carolina that uses genome sequencing to screen newborns for hundreds of genetic conditions. She is experienced in large-scale translational research implementation, including recruitment, consent, and return of results. Much of Ms. Cope’s career has been spent in multidisciplinary research groups seeking to use advanced technologies to find diagnoses for patients. Ms. Cope has experience utilizing genomic tools for variant annotation, prioritization, and interpretation. Before joining RTI, she was a genetic counselor at the Duke clinical site of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network. Ms. Cope is a Certified Genetic Counselor recognized by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and the North Carolina Medical Genetics Association., RTI
Biography
Ms. Cope directs Early Check, a statewide genomic newborn screening research program in North Carolina conducted in partnership with the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has extensive experience evaluating genes for inclusion in genomic newborn screening, including assessing gene¬-disease validity and clinical actionability. Her expertise also includes variant interpretation, return of results, and genomic counseling. Prior to joining Early Check, she spent 17 years in genomics research at Duke University Medical Center, using advanced genomic technologies to help end diagnostic odysseys and identify diagnoses for patients.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2027 Silicon Valley
Davos of Precision Medicine
PMWC 2027 Program
January 27–29, 2027 · Santa Clara Convention Center
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PMWC is indeed The Davos of Biotech
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