Speaker Profile
PMWC PIONEER AWARD
From first WGS-treated patient to large-scale genomic programs
Ph.D., Vice President, Quantitative Medicine & Genomics, Abbvie
Biography
Howard J. Jacob brings decades of genome knowledge from academia and the clinical setting to address the current state of whole genome sequencing and its potential for both patients and those interested in learning more about their own DNA. He joined AbbVie in January 2019 to lead one of the largest Genomics Research Center efforts in the field with access to over one million genomes and clinical data and has since established the Quantitative Medicine and Genomics function. Jacob earned his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa and then completed a post-doctorate at MIT, Harvard, and Stanford. Prior to his work at AbbVie, he led the clinical teams at the worlds first stand-alone genomic medicine clinic, as well as a whole genome clinical sequencing lab. Jacob has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles. He founded four companies and is on the advisory boards for numerous academic and commercial organizations.
Talk
Common Diseases Arent Always What They Seem
Despite advances in molecular diagnostics, the effect of rare diseases on the diagnosis of common diseases in clinical trials has not been comprehensively investigated. New data shows the value of systematic genome sequencing in understanding the phenotypic heterogeneity of common diseases and the benefits of molecular phenotyping in patient care.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2026 Silicon Valley
Track Chair: Burns Blaxall
PMWC Award Ceremony
• Euan Ashley, Stanford
• Jeff Balser, VUMC
• Howard J. Jacob, Abbvie
Precision Medicine at Scale – Lessons from Vanderbilt
• Jeffrey R. Balser, Vanderbilt
From First Patient to a Million Genomes
• Chair: Howard J. Jacob, Abbvie
• Jeffrey Balser, Vanderbilt
• Euan Ashley, Stanford
Keynote: AI and Data-Driven Individual Health
• Lee Hood, Phenome Health
Keys to Successful Implementation of a Precision Medicine Program
• Chair: Howard McLeod, GeneDx
• Kevan Simms, Ochsner Health
Key Players in Successful Implementation – Beyond Oncology
• Chair: Damon Hostin, Illumina
• Shaista Malik, UC Irvine
• David E. Lanfear, Henry Ford Health
Precision Medicine at Scale: Lessons from a Statewide Genomic Initiative
• Chair: Premal Shah, MyOme
• Niall Lennon, Broad Clinical Labs
Integrating Multi-Modal Biology into Precision Care Pathways: A Systems Framework for Scalable Implementation
• K V Venkatesh, IIT Mumbai
From $/Gb to Outcomes – Simplifying Genomics for Health Systems
• Fireside Chat: Jacob Thaysen, CEO, Illumina
Achieving Comprehensive Precision Medicine
• Chair: Burns Blaxall
• Trish Brown, GeneDx
• Sarah Hersey, BMS
• Euan Ashley, Stanford
