Our Vision
To advance genomics research for the benefit of all.
Our Mission
Reduce health disparities through genomics research, education, policy, and practice.
Our Goals
Facilitate inclusive integrative genomics research through interdisciplinary collaborations, community partnerships, and education.
Meet the Team
Sarah Tishkoff, PhD
Center Director | David and Lyn Silfen University ProfessorMy team and international collaborators integrate field work, genomics research, and computational biology approaches to study human evolutionary history and the genetic basis of adaptive traits, disease risk, and resistance to infectious diseases in African populations.
Tafadzwa (Taffy) Machipisa, PhD
Global Impact Coordinator, Postdoctoral ResearcherA postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and also serves as Global Impact Coordinator for the Penn Center for Global Genomics. She is a genetic epidemiologist and computational biologist whose work focuses on the genetic architecture of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases — particularly in African and other underrepresented populations. Dr. Machipisa integrates large-scale genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and multi-omics data with population health approaches to study disease risk, resilience, and health disparities. Dr. Machipisa is also receiving further training in evolutionary and population genetics, as well as functional genomics, through the Genentech-funded PennGGHE Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Ameena V. Al-amin
Executive Assistant to Dr. Sarah Tishkoff, Community Engagement ManagerMy passion lies in community engagement, promoting health awareness, and strengthening inclusive genomics on a global scale. For over 45 years, I have supported senior-level faculty and executives in various healthcare and economic development roles. My journey includes roles at the Greater Philadelphia Economic Development Corporation, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, and currently at the Perelman School of Medicine in the Penn Center for Global Genomics at the University of Pennsylvania. I attended Pierce College and the University of Pennsylvania where I majored in Business Administration. Throughout my 30+ years at UPenn, I have served on UPenn’s Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Community Advisory Board and the University of Pennsylvania’s Association of Business Administrators. Additionally, I am a proud Lifetime Member of the National Council of Negro Women, Philadelphia Section.
Members' Research Images
