When thinking about a career in pharmacy, many people imagine clinical pharmacists working in community pharmacies or hospitals. But have you ever considered pharmacogenomics? This fascinating field studies how genetics influence a person’s response to medication. It holds great potential for improving patient outcomes, and I had the privilege of diving deeper into this field.
My Journey into Pharmacogenomics
I’m Amisha, a high school junior with aspirations to become a pharmacist. My interest in science began at the age of five, when my grandfather, a pharmacist, gifted me a book full of experiments. We spent hours performing the experiments and discussing the science behind them. As I got older, I also became interested in makeup and skincare. My grandfather would explain the chemical compositions of these products, deepening my understanding of pharmacology.
As I explored my future career, I became drawn to pharmacogenomics. To learn more, I reached out to Dr. Jasmine Luzum, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. Dr. Luzum specializes in pharmacogenetics, and after shadowing her work, I realized how vital pharmacogenomic research is for optimizing drug outcomes and improving patient safety.
What Is Pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacogenomics studies how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to medications. This information allows healthcare professionals to predict how a patient will respond to a specific drug, helping to tailor treatments for each individual. A great example is the pre-treatment test for Abacavir, an HIV medication. About 5% of people taking Abacavir experience life-threatening allergic reactions. Researchers discovered that a genetic variant in the immune system causes these reactions. By testing for this variant before prescribing Abacavir, the allergic reaction can be prevented. This is now recommended by the FDA and other organizations worldwide.
A Conversation with Dr. Jasmine Luzum
I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Luzum some questions about her career and the future of pharmacogenomics:
What inspired you to choose pharmacogenomics as your research field?
Dr. Luzum: “I’m fascinated by why patients don’t all respond to medications the same way. Genetics offers a newer way to understand these differences, and it ties into ancestry and human evolution.”
How do you balance teaching, research, and family life?
Dr. Luzum: “As an academic researcher, I set my own work schedule, which gives me flexibility.”
How do you see pharmacogenomics influencing personalized medicine in the future?
Dr. Luzum: “In the next 10 years, I believe pharmacogenomics will become a standard part of healthcare, much like other factors in a patient’s chart. It will help optimize medication regimens.”
What barriers still exist in pharmacogenomics?
Dr. Luzum: “When I started in this field, there were many challenges, like the lack of randomized controlled trials and the high cost of genetic testing. Fortunately, we’ve overcome those. The biggest remaining hurdle is educating healthcare providers.”
Looking Toward the Future
Before learning about pharmacogenomics, I hadn’t considered it as a potential career. But after shadowing Dr. Luzum, I am excited about the future of personalized medicine. Pharmacogenomics is transforming how we approach medication prescriptions, and I hope to contribute to this evolving field.
I am grateful for the chance to learn from Dr. Luzum, and I encourage other students to explore this career path. Pharmacogenomics will play a key role in healthcare, helping to optimize patient care in ways we’ve never seen before.
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