Kushani Jayasinghe, MBBS is the recipient of the 2022 Richard King Trainee Award. This award was instituted by the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine to encourage American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG), international equivalents, or genetic counseling trainees in their careers and to foster the publication of the highest quality research in ACMG’s official journal, Genetics in Medicine (GIM).
Each year the editorial board reviews all articles published in GIM by eligible trainees who were either a first or corresponding author during that year. The manuscript considered to have the most merit is selected by a committee of editorial board members.
Dr. Jayasinghe received the award for her published article, “Clinical impact of genomic testing in patients with suspected monogenic kidney disease,” which was published online in GIM in February 2021.
Dr. Kushani Jayasinghe is a nephrologist at Monash Health, Melbourne and is undertaking clinical genetics training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. She received her medical degree from Monash University, fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians, and is completing her doctoral studies on the clinical utility and feasibility of genomic sequencing in kidney disease. Dr. Jayasinghe has a special interest in genetic kidney disease, and how to successfully implement genomics in nephrology practice.
“I am delighted to receive the Richard King Award. Genomic testing in kidney disease is still not routinely implemented into clinical practice. This study shows that genomic testing is clinically useful in terms of providing a diagnosis and also has significant management implications for patients. I am very grateful for the many researchers and clinicians who contributed to this study, and my mentors who have supported me through my research and training,” said Dr. Jayasinghe upon receiving the award.
“We had many outstanding articles published by trainees this year. It was a real pleasure going back to re-read those articles as part of the selection process. GIM is delighted to name Dr. Kushani Jayasinghe as this year’s worthy recipient of the Richard King Award,” said Robert D. Steiner, MD, FAAP, FACMG, editor-in-chief of GIM.
The award is given by the ACMG Foundation and is named for Dr. Richard King in recognition of his instrumental role in creating Genetics in Medicine and serving as the first and founding editor-in-chief of the journal.
About the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of supporters and contributors who understand the importance of medical genetics and genomics in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) mission to “translate genes into health.” Through its work, the ACMG Foundation fosters charitable giving, promotes training opportunities to attract future medical geneticists and genetic counselors to the field, shares information about medical genetics and genomics, and sponsors important research. To learn more and support the ACMG Foundation mission to create “Better Health through Genetics” visit www.acmgfoundation.org.
Note to editors: To arrange interviews with experts in medical genetics, contact ACMG Senior Director of Communications and Public Relations, Kathy Moran, MBA at kmoran@acmg.net.