Special Interview with Prof. Yiping Shen
On July 8, 2024, the Editorial Office of Journal of Translational Genetics and Genomics (JTGG) had the privilege of interviewing Prof. Yiping Shen, newly appointed Associate Editor of the Editorial Board.
Prof. Shen, PhD, FACMG, ABMGG, is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and an Associate at the Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital. He is also the founder of SynerGene, and his work focuses deeply on the genetic diagnosis of rare diseases, contributing significantly to both research and clinical practice.
During the interview, Prof. Shen underscored the importance of identifying and researching rare genetic diseases. Despite significant progress in identifying and characterizing genetic diseases in recent decades, thousands remain undiscovered. These rare conditions pose challenges in clinical settings, especially for inadequately trained physicians.
Prof. Shen highlighted the increasing significance of international patient matching and data sharing to consolidate data for more reliable insights. He stressed the role of genetic counseling not only in ensuring accurate diagnosis and disease management, but also in alleviating the uncertainty and anxiety associated with genetic testing. He is dedicated to establishing a professional genetic counseling system in China to help more families understand and manage genetic data.
Education and training were identified as pivotal in solving the challenges of rare diseases. Prof. Shen urged the active participation of young scientists and doctors in the field, advocating for a practice-centered approach to learning. He also emphasized the journal’s potential to foster global collaboration in advancing scientific understanding.
The interview showcased Prof. Shen’s passion for exploration and discovery in the field of rare genetic diseases, highlighting how international cooperation drives scientific progress. His insights and recommendations provide valuable perspectives that will advance the understanding and treatment of rare genetic diseases in the future.
"This is a moment for collective effort, and we look forward to seeing more scientists and physicians join this great cause to improve global health outcomes." JTGG remains committed to providing a platform for such endeavors, inspiring greater collaboration and innovation.
Personal Introduction:
Prof. Shen has dedicated many years to advancing genetic diagnosis for rare genetic diseases, developing various clinical testing techniques and programs and holding numerous domestic and international patents. Internationally recognized as an expert in genetic diagnosis and counseling for rare genetic conditions, Prof. Shen has made significant contributions to clinical and translational research in children's intellectual and physical development.
His scholarly contributions encompass over 250 publications, including 200+ SCI papers (totaling a citation count exceeding 12,800) and over a dozen books. Prof. Shen has presented at major international conferences such as ASHG and ACMG. His achievements have been honored with prestigious awards, including the first Harvard University Translational Medicine Award, ACMG Clinical Medicine Award, MGH Clinical Research Award, Guangxi International Friends Golden Hydrangea Award, Jiangxi Lushan Friendship Award, and the Golden Snail Rare Disease Industry Contribution Award.
Since 2008, he has been instrumental in training the next generation of clinical and laboratory geneticists and genetic counselors in China through academic exchanges, education, and training initiatives, contributing significantly to genomic medicine practices nationally and globally.
Editor: Yanrong Wei
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Yan Zhang
Respectfully Submitted by the Journal Editorial Office
Journal of Translational Genetics and Genomics
