About PGNI
PGNI is led by Dr. Yolande Saab, who brings more than 20 years of pharmacogenomics teaching and research. This page covers its leadership, mission, and governance.
PGNI is built at the intersection of research, ethics, and education, with equity as the standard.
Mission, vision, governance, and leadership
Research, education, and equitable access
PGNI is organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes. Its mission is to advance pharmacogenomics through research, education, innovation, and professional development, and to expand equitable access to pharmacogenomics — particularly for underserved and underrepresented populations.
Governed by a Board of Directors
PGNI is organized as a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors under written bylaws. Under its bylaws, the Board carries fiduciary responsibility for PGNI's finances, records, and compliance, and no part of PGNI's net earnings may benefit any director, officer, or private individual.
Genetics as routine in prescribing
A future in which a patient's genetic profile is a routine, accessible part of prescribing decisions everywhere — not a benefit available only to patients treated at well-resourced academic centers.
Dr. Yolande Saab
PharmD, PhD in Pharmacogenomics
Dr. Yolande Saab leads the PharmacoGeNomics Institute for Research and Education (PGNI), bringing more than 20 years of experience in pharmacogenomics research and education. Her work encompasses pharmacogenomics scholarship, scientific leadership, and advancing equitable access to pharmacogenomic knowledge and applications.
PharmacoGeNomics Institute for Research and Education (PGNI)
Legal name: PharmacoGeNomics Institute for Research and Education
Incorporated in: the United States, as a nonprofit organization
Executive Director: Dr. Yolande Saab
OHRP registrations: IRB Organization IORG0012890 | IRB IRB00015229 | Federalwide Assurance FWA00036617
Equity is the standard, not a program
Every activity — research, education, or ethics oversight — is expected to expand access for populations underrepresented in pharmacogenomic evidence and care.
Precision medicine that only reaches some patients isn't precision medicine
Pharmacogenomic evidence already exists for many widely prescribed drugs. The barrier is rarely the science — it's whether a given clinic, clinician, or patient can access and act on it.
Research gaps
Much of the existing pharmacogenomic evidence base under-represents the populations who could benefit most.
Ethics & IRB gaps
Researchers working with genomic data often lack access to review boards with pharmacogenomics-specific expertise.
Education gaps
Many practicing clinicians trained before pharmacogenomics was part of the standard curriculum.
Grounded in established, peer-reviewed evidence and guidelines
PGNI grounds its educational and research-related guidance in established, peer-reviewed prescribing evidence and pharmacogenomic guidelines.
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