Bruce R. Korf, M.D., Ph.D., was recently named associate dean for Genomic Medicine in the School of Medicine. Korf currently serves as UAB Medicine’s chief genomics officer and holds the Wayne and Sara Crews Finley Endowed Chair in Medical Genetics. He will continue to hold both of those positions along with his new appointment.
Korf joined UAB in 2003 as chair of the Department of Genetics and served in the role until 2017 when we he was named chief genomics officer of UAB Medicine. Since his arrival, he has held several other high-level leadership roles, including director of the Howell and Elizabeth Heflin Center for Genomic Sciences, medical director of the UAB Genetic Counseling Training Program, co-director of the UAB-HudsonAlpha Center for Genomic Medicine, and co-director of the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.
In his new role, Korf will provide direct supervision for and oversight of the clinical genomic medicine functions within the School of Medicine and UAB Medicine. He will serve as a key advisor—working with health system leadership—to implement strategic genomic medicine priorities related to clinical service, research, and education. He will also assist in building partnerships with external constituents.
“For more than fifteen years, Dr. Korf has been an outstanding leader at UAB,” said Selwyn Vickers, M.D., FACS, senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine. “His vast contributions have been integral to the success of our clinical programs. Additionally, he has been a key partner in driving the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative and the All of Us Research Program forward. I am confident that he will continue to help us grow our impact in this new role.”
Korf received his undergraduate degree at Cornell University, followed by earning his Ph.D. in genetics and cell biology from Rockefeller University and M.D. from Cornell University Medical College. He completed a residency training in Neurology (Child Neurology) at Harvard-Longwood Neurology Training Program and a fellowship in Genetics at the Harvard Medical School Genetics Training Program. His major research interests are molecular diagnosis of genetic disorders and the natural history, genetics, and treatment of neurofibromatosis.
Prior to joining UAB, he served as director of the Clinical Genetics Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and as the medical director of the Harvard-Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics, among several other faculty and administrative appointments. Korf is the author of Human Genetics: A Problem-Based Approach, an introductory graduate textbook used by medical students and genetic counselors. He also served as past president of the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics and past president of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and he currently serves as president of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine.
“I am excited to have this opportunity to lead UAB’s efforts to integrate genomics into the practice of medicine across the health system and the School of Medicine,” said Korf. “Genomic information will increasingly guide our efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat our patients and help us maintain the health of people throughout our region.”
Korf’s appointment became effective October 1.