Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu | Genetics and Genomics | Women Researcher Award
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu | Genetics and Genomics | Women Researcher Award | Clinical Geneticist | St Vincent’s Clinical Genomics | Australia
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu is an accomplished clinician-researcher, medical geneticist, and academic leader who has made transformative contributions to the field of genomics and precision medicine. She is internationally recognized for pioneering clinical genomics services that integrate research, clinical care, and education to improve health outcomes for patients with rare diseases, cancer predisposition syndromes, and pharmacogenomic treatment needs. As the Founding Head of St Vincent’s Clinical Genomics, she successfully developed a multidisciplinary model that delivers comprehensive diagnostic services and leads translational research programs. Her visionary leadership has resulted in establishing Australia’s first preventive genomics clinic and integrating pharmacogenomics into mental health care, bridging gaps between innovation and patient-centered healthcare delivery.
Professional Profile
Education
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu completed her medical degree followed by postgraduate training in internal medicine and clinical genetics. She holds specialist recognition as a Clinical Geneticist from the Human Genetics Society of Australasia and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Her academic career is complemented by conjoint appointments at leading universities where she contributes to curriculum development, supervises medical students and trainees, and lectures on precision medicine, ethical genomics implementation, and translational research strategies.
Experience
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu has extensive clinical and academic experience spanning hospital-based genetic services, research institutions, and collaborative national initiatives. She founded St Vincent’s Clinical Genomics and led its integration with hospital, research, and policy frameworks, achieving full accreditation and recognition as a center of excellence in neurogenomics care. She has worked with interdisciplinary teams to develop novel diagnostic pipelines, deliver whole genome sequencing for patients with undiagnosed conditions, and establish value-based care models in genomics. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she is actively engaged as a principal investigator in large-scale research projects, securing multimillion-dollar competitive funding and partnering with international collaborators to accelerate discovery and implementation of genomic medicine.
Research Interest
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu’s research focuses on precision medicine, rare disease diagnostics, neurogenomics, and pharmacogenomics. She is particularly passionate about reducing inequities in access to genomic services and translating research outcomes into actionable clinical solutions. Her work has pioneered pharmacogenomic-guided prescribing for mental illness, established evidence-based preventive genomics programs, and benchmarked models for integrating research into clinical workflows. She is committed to advancing the field through interdisciplinary collaborations, data-sharing frameworks, and capacity building for the next generation of genomic medicine practitioners.
Award
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu has received multiple recognitions for her groundbreaking work, including the designation of her neurogenomics program as an internationally recognized Center of Excellence. Her leadership in developing innovative clinical genomics services has been shortlisted for health innovation and excellence awards, highlighting the impact of her initiatives on patient outcomes and health system transformation. She has been honored for her contributions to the implementation of genomic medicine, reflecting her dedication to bridging the gap between research and practice and delivering tangible benefits to society.
Selected Publication
“Implementation of Whole Genome Sequencing in Clinical Diagnostics” (2022, 85 Citations),
“Pharmacogenomics-Guided Mental Health Treatment: A Translational Model” (2021, 64 Citations),
“Integrating Research and Clinical Genomics: A Value-Based Care Approach” (2020, 47 Citations),
“Preventive Genomics: The Future of Personalized Healthcare Delivery” (2023, 53 Citations).
Conclusion
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kathy Wu stands out as a leader in clinical genomics, a field that demands both scientific expertise and compassionate patient care. Her innovative programs have transformed rare disease diagnostics, mental health pharmacogenomics, and preventive genomic services, benefiting thousands of patients and shaping health policy. She has successfully combined academic excellence, clinical leadership, and research innovation to create sustainable models that can be adopted globally. With her strong track record of securing research funding, mentoring future leaders, and driving health system change, she is exceptionally deserving of recognition. Her ongoing work promises to further advance the global impact of genomics and inspire continued innovation in precision medicine.